By Patrick Newell

Sun Sports Editor

Note: Area teams listed alphabetically

Bainbridge-Guilford

Willie McGinnis, sr., 6-3, 245 pounds, linebacker

A three-year starter on both sides of the ball for the Bobcats, McGinnis again brought a big load on defense as captain of his team, and made the transition to fullback on offense from offensive line, and gave his team a physical presence in the backfield. “He was a leader on offense and defense with a tremendous work ethic and his motor is always running,” said B-G coach Tim Mattingly. “A lot was expected of him this season, and he didn’t disappoint at all.”

Ray Neubauer, sr., 5-10, 220 pounds, center

Not only was Neubauer the Bobcats’ center, but he was the centerpiece of the Bobcats’ offensive line. Among several varsity newcomers and experienced players, Neubauer finished off his third year as a varsity starter, and was regarded by head coach Mattingly as the club’s best offensive lineman. “He just really matured this year and took on a leadership role,” Mattingly said. “He helped our other linemen and did an outstanding job making calls. Technique-wise, he was our best guy.”

Dylan Whittaker, jr., 6-2, 190 pounds, tight end

Whittaker was B-G quarterback Chris McGinnis’ go-to receiver, and was a big reason for the Bobcats’ improved passing game this season. After missing all of last year with an elbow injury, he became an integral cog on both sides of the ball. He had a team-high 12 receptions for 168 yards and 2 touchdowns. “He really stepped up his game over last year, and came back bigger, faster, and stronger,” Mattingly said. “He came up with some huge plays and clutch catches for us this season.”

Nate Seymour, sr., 5-9, 150 pounds, outside linebacker

Pound-for-pound, you would be hard-pressed to find a tougher linebacker in the area. A jack-of-all-trades for the Bobcats, Seymour not only started at linebacker, but was a slot-back and ballcarrier, punt returner, kick returner, and receiver. “He’s an awful tough kid and just made great plays,” Mattingly said. “He was very deceptive as a running back. He could run physical, or he could juke and jive.” Seymour had two interceptions this season, and Mattingly said Seymour was someone who played much bigger than his size.

B-G Honorable mention: Cody Ruff, offensive tackle, sr.

Greene

Keith Savory, sr., 6-0, 240 pounds, running back

Savory nearly became the Trojans’ first 1,000-yard rusher this decade, and the first 1,000-yard rusher in Chenango County in six years coming up just a couple dozen yards shy (979) in Greene’s first playoff appearance since 2001. “What can’t you say about him?” said Greene coach Tim Paske. “He was just a special player for us, and I am honored to have the opportunity to coach him. He’s a great kid on and off the field, and was a leader in the locker room.” A three-year representative on this all-star collection, Savory earned his first two distinctions at linebacker, where he again led the Trojans in tackles finishing with over 300 in his 27-game varsity career. “The position he played on defense, we called it the ‘king,’” Paske said. “And he definitely was the king.”

Jesse Mares, sr., 6-0, 250 pounds, offensive line

A three-year starter for the Trojans on the offensive line, Mares played the tackle position and led the club with 11 pancake blocks. He also improved his downfield blocking this year moving past the initial level of attack. “He was always good at the first level of blocking, and every once in a while he used to get to that second level,” Paske said. “We talked to him about getting to that second and third level, and he took pride in doing that this year and staying on his blocks.”

Will Bennett, sr., 5-8, 165 pounds, defensive line

Not the largest of defensive linemen, Bennett made up for his diminutive size with quickness, tenacity, and a motor that wouldn’t quit. As Paske put it, “he just had a nose for the football.” Bennett pursued down the line of scrimmage, often times staying on the tail of the offensive guard to make the play from behind. “He is a smart, solid kid, and he was able to use his quickness to his advantage this year,” Paske said.

Bennett was also part of Greene’s multiple back rushing rotation finishing with 197 yards rushing

Nate Whittaker, so., 6-0, 165 pounds defensive cornerback

A big-play maker, Whittaker scored on a long-range TD run the first offensive possession of Greene’s season, while also scoring a defensive touchdown on an interception, a special teams TD on a kickoff return, and a pass-receiving touchdown. “He’s very explosive, and when he gets into the open field, he kicks it into another gear,” Paske said. “Defensively, on his side of the field, I don’t think he was beaten for a big play all season. He ran a lot of things down and used his speed to his advantage. He has that knack to be around the ball and get to the football.” Whittaker led Greene with four interceptions, and will be the club’s top returning rusher next year finishing with 361 yards this past season.

Jake Wentlent, jr., 5-8, 165 defensive nose tackle

A fireplug in the middle of the Greene defensive line, Wentlent, while undersized as a nose tackle, used his relentless pursuit to the football to nullify opposing center. And in the kicking game, he was top-notch. “He completely changed our kicking game with his coverage,” Paske said. “He loved to blow people up and annihilate them on returns. He’s just another one of our kids whose engine doesn’t stop.” A wrestler in the winter months, Wentlent used great hand-to-hand skills to work past opposing centers and get to the ball carrier. On offense, he backed up starter Keith Savory at fullback and averaged over five yards a carry.

David Micha, sr., linebacker., 6-0, 225 pounds

Playing along side Savory the past two seasons for the Trojans, the duo finished one-two in tackles, and were stout forces against a stingy run defense. “We’ll have two sets of shoes that will be difficult to fill next year,” Paske said of Micha and Savory. “David was a tremendous defensive stopper for us. Keith would stuff things up the middle, and if they went off tackle, David would be there to stuff it. Defenses had to game plan around those two.” A starting tight end and important part of the rushing attack, Micha also had his share of carries finishing with three touchdowns, and even had a special teams touchdown scoring on a punt return against Sidney.

Corey Breck, QB, 6-0, 170 pounds

Breck had the biggest shoes to fill of any first-year starter on the Trojans – or perhaps any first-year starter in Chenango County. Stepping in for Kurt Spear, a four-year starter and the area’s all-time passing leader, Breck responded with an area-leading 10 TD passes including scoring tosses in seven of nine games. Of the two games he didn’t throw a score, one ended up his highest yardage total of the season, and the second was a season-ending playoff loss to Lansing. “He did a heck of a job for us, and I really wish we could have him another year because he improved so much during the season,” Paske said. “He has great knowledge of the game of football, and when he finally got his chance to play, he took advantage of it.” Breck had a career-high three TD passes against Seton Catholic Central, and finished with 594 yards passing in guiding the Trojans to their best single-season record in seven years.

Greene honorable mention: John Carlin, SE, jr. Ronnie Smith, offensive line, jr. D.J. Beckwith, offensive line, jr.; Tyler Kehl, OL, so. Adam Brigham, jr, nose tackle

Norwich

Robert Martin, sr., quarterback/ linebacker, 6-0, 205 pounds ---

A two-way starter this year and a three-year starter at quarterback, Norwich head coach John Pluta was most pleased with the leadership role his veteran signal-caller exhibited on and off the field. In the Tornado offense, throwing the ball is almost a mere detail in the complicated set of play-fakes and timing. “He is a real talent, big and strong, and a physical runner,” Pluta said. This year, too, Martin saw his first significant action on defense, and started every game at linebacker winning defensive player of the game on two different occasions. “He’s a good athlete and he was able to make the adjustment to defense,” Pluta said. Martin threw for 381 yards and four touchdowns.