FEATURED PHOTO BY MARCUS CONSTANTINO (THE HERALD DISPATCH)
It is with great honor we present our selected Class AA All-2010’s team. The selection process was as thorough and thought out as possible. This included voting done by qualifying coaches and polling done by the public. We used every snippet of stats and memoirs to make the best decision possible. However, comparing players who played at different times is never going to be 100% fool-proof so please share your opinion on who should have made the team. Enjoy!
Quarterback
Jeremy Dillon
6’5″ 195 lbs
Mingo Central (2016-2017)
When Dillon came to Mingo Central, they instantly became a title contender. The tall athletic gunslinger took the Miner offense to the next level. For two years, Dillon compiled thousands of passing and rushing yards with an insane amount of touchdowns. Under his reign he would win the AA title for the first time in the school’s young history and also the Kennedy Award. Dillon would go onto play basketball for Marshall University.
Runningback
Dylan Tonkery
6’0″ 190 lbs
Bridgeport (2012-2015)
Tonkery was a huge piece of Bridgeport’s greatest run in school history. The well-sized back and safety led the Indians to three consecutive state championships and a 39-2 record from 2013-2015. Tonkery, a powerful runner, finished his career with 3401 rushing yards and 40 touchdowns. He will go down as not only the best of Bridgeport’s decade but all time. He went on to have a great career as a linebacker for West Virginia University.
Mookie Collier
5’9″ 165 lbs
Bluefield (2014-2017)
Collier was an explosive playmaker the minute he stepped on campus at Bluefield. Collier’s junior year, the Beavers went an unusual 4-6. However, Collier refused his senior year to be same as he led the Beavers to a 14-0 record while rushing for 2235 yards and 39 touchdowns and a Class “AA” title all while winning the Kennedy. He had an unprecedented slasher speed. Collier went on to play for North Carolina Central.
Ethan Payne
6’0″ 210 lbs
Poca (2017-2020)
Payne is the only player on any all-decade team, thus far, to still be playing. He made an immediate impact when in only his freshman year, the Dots broke a lengthy losing streak. His sophomore and junior years were full of wins and playoff runs. In 2019, he broke the state’s all-time single season scoring record by rushing for 2283 rushing yards and 49 touchdowns on pace to being Poca’s first Kennedy Award winner.
Wide Receiver
Drew Hatfield
6’0″ 180 lbs
Mingo Central (2016-2019)
Hatfield will be remembered as one of the stars to really put Mingo Central on the map. As only a freshman, he had a dominant stint in the playoffs which helped lead them to a state title early in their school’s history. From then, Hatfield was incredibly consistent with his deep toolbox of routes matched with top-notch athleticism. This allowed him to finish as the most prolific wide receiver in state history with 343 receptions, 5168 receiving yards, and 64 touchdowns. He is planning to attend Glenville State College.
Nick Davisson
5’10” 160 lbs
Fairmont Senior (2012-2015)
Davisson was a jack of all trades running routes for the Polar Bears. He had elite level agility which allowed for crisp route running but also pure flat-line speed to beat defenses over the top. With him as a weapon, Fairmont Senior’s quarterbacks had a reliable target for his entire stint. Davisson would help assert the Polar Bears as a yearly title contender in AA as well as earn himself several honors such as a multiple time first-team all-stater. He would go on to play for Fairmont State University.
Offensive Line
Zach Frazier
6’3″ 275 lbs
Fairmont Senior (2017-2020)
Frazier will go down as one of the best overall athletes of the 2010s from West Virginia. The behemoth was a vicious blocker on the frontlines and a game breaker on defense. His accomplishments are lengthy including a state title, two C&C Lineman of the Year awards, and a Stydahar Award. On top of that, he was a four-time state champion wrestler. Frazier is going to be taking his awesome strength to West Virginia University.
Zach Holt
6’3″ 235 lbs
Mingo Central (2011-2014)
At one point in time, Mingo Central was a brand new school trying to find its footing. Holt came in right as the school opened and help establish a program that now has the statistically highest winning percentage in all of the state’s history. Holt was a tall, well moving lineman that impacted games on both sides. His technique and mean streak allowed him to repeat as a first-team all-stater and give the Miners their first playoff victory in school history his senior year.
Seth Stewart
6’8″ 320 lbs
Point Pleasant (2013-2016)
By far the largest athlete on the team, Stewart was a bad dude. The towering big man was also developed in the respected Point Pleasant weightroom and became a game changer on the line. Stewart helped build the Big Blacks as one of the most dominant programs of the 2010s. During his time, they would go 45-4 with three of those years being in AAA. Stewart’s true skill allowed him many collegiate options in which he would sign a LOI to LSU.
Preston Murray
6’1″ 265 lbs
Oak Glen (2009-2012)
Murray was noted as a “superstar” one time by legendary coach Tony Filberto. This was proven to be true as the four-year starter had everything you needed from a lineman. He had size, strength, and a tenacity that pierced through offenses and defenses. With Murray as captain, the Golden Bears won their first playoff game in almost two decades. He will be remembered as one of the players in AA to do it in some time.
Justin Noble
6’5″ 260 lbs
Robert C. Byrd (2011-2014)
Of all the offensive lineman, Noble might have been one of the most athletic. With high-level length, he doubled that with quick feet, great technique, and a lot of aggression. This allowed him to be a two-way star and maximize his impact on the game. For the Eagles, Noble helped lead them to back-to-back state semifinal appearances in 2012 and 2013. He would go on to have a memorable career at Concord University.
Offensive Utility
Luke Presley
5’9″ 180 lbs
Tolsia (2012-2015)
Perhaps no team was more out of the blue in the 2010’s than the 2015 Tolsia Rebels. They had not sniffed the playoffs in nearly a decade and were one of the smallest teams in AA. Insert Presley’s senior year where the small, muscle back ran angrily through defenses for over 2,000 yards and 33 touchdowns. Behind the dynamite back, Tolsia reached the state championship. Presley was an unforgettably hard-nosed and talented runningback.
Connor Neal
6’1″ 195 lbs
Fairmont Senior (2015-2018)
Neal’s 2018 campaign was one of the greatest in state history. After a phenomenal year as a first-time starter in 2017, the Polar Bears fell short of the state title. Come the following season, Neal would run and pass through everyone that got in their way. They would go 14-0, and he would finish the year with 3,620 passing yards and 46 touchdowns to only two interceptions. He would also win the Kennedy Award. Neal went on to play for Fairmont State University.
Kicker
Kaulin Parris
6’3″ 180 lbs
Bluefield (2016-2019)
During Bluefield’s three-year appearance in the AA title game, few players started through all three. Parris was one of them but also stood out. Parris was a highly consistent extra point kicker and a shoe-in for short field goals. He also could knock down 45+ yarders. His punting was underrated too with a true ability to flip the field for the opposition. He knocked down ten field goals and 130+ XPs in his last two years. He is going to be playing for West Virginia University.
Defensive Line
Sean Martin
6’5″ 225 lbs
Bluefield (2016-2019)
Martin rocketed onto the scene during his junior year. After double digit sacks and a state runnerup, Martin became a highly recruited prospect. His towering frame made him the largest and longest athlete on the field. This allowed an incredible amount of torque which helped toss offensive linemen around and get to the quarterback. He was awarded C&C’s 2018 Class AA Defensive Player of the Year and is planning to play for West Virginia University.
Dante Stills
6’4″ 265 lbs
Fairmont Senior (2014-2017)
The younger of the Stills brother duo lived up to the hype he gained very young. His accolades were lengthy including three all-state selections, nearly 20 sacks, two state championship appearances, and an inaugural C&C AA Lineman of the Year award. His size and athleticism were elite and his push through the line made him a top recruit even as an underclassmen. He went on to have a successful career at West Virginia University.
Darius Stills
6’3″ 265 lbs
Fairmont Senior (2013-2016)
The older of the Stills brothers, he helped lead the Polar Bears to their first title appearance in sometime. Also possessing elite level size and athleticism, he disrupted entire offenses. During his career he had 40 tackles for loss alongside a defense that was regarded as among the best in the state. Also highly recruited, he too would commit to play at West Virginia University and have a great career.
Tyler Komorowski
6’3″ 250 lbs
Weir (2015-2018)
Komorowski was one of the most athletic big men of the 2010’s. Standing tall and muscular, he was nearly unblockable at defensive end. To show his athleticism, he was also the team’s quarterback. Komorowski’s high engine and high-level play pushed the Red Riders to a semifinal appearance his senior year. He would go onto enroll and play for Army at West Point.
Linebacker
Mason Hodge
6’3″ 235 lbs
Wayne (2011-2014)
No player embodies the early 2010’s Wayne dominance like Hodge. He was big, strong, and hit like a freight train. On both sides of the ball he was the enforcer and with devastating blows- could take the wind out of the opposing team. In Hodge’s four years, the Pioneers won two titles, had one runner-up, and had one semifinal appearance. He might be considered as the hardest hitter of any class for the 2010’s.
Truck Edwards
5’11” 220 lbs
Bluefield (2014-2017)
Edwards joins his fellow teammate Collier on the 2010 all-decade team. He brought the thunder and grit to the 2017 title team. As a linebacker, he was a stalwart inside the box- shutting down any open gaps with a pop. He also was a notable runner as was seen in his legendary run in the 2017 title game. Edwards finished with triple digit tackles and several defensive touchdowns. He currently plays for West Virginia University.
Jake Abbott
6’1″ 210 lbs
Fairmont Senior (2013-2016)
Abbott was a prominent player for a Polar Bear program that produced a lot of talent in the 2010’s. During Abbott’s time, Fairmont Senior began to really settle in at the top of AA as a yearly title contender. As a linebacker, he was quick, secure, and a sideline-to-sideline tackler. He was about as efficient and football smart as they come. After a runner-up in the title game, he was awarded the Chuck Howley Award as the state’s top linebacker. He now plays for West Virginia University.
Defensive Back
Dante Bonamico
5’9″ 175 lbs
Bridgeport (2012-2015)
Bonamico was the second horse that allowed for Bridgeport’s grand three title run. Though smaller in stature, he made up for it with a top-end speed, agility, and a fearless hitting ability. During their dominance, he would rush for thousands of yards while also being recognized as the state’s top defensive back. Bonamico will go down as one of the best Indians to ever do it. He now plays for West Virginia University.
Grant Ferguson
6’0″ 185 lbs
Wayne (2011-2014)
Ferguson was the golden boy that led Wayne to their best stretch in school history. His football ability and knack for playmaking allowed him to be recognized three consecutive years as a first-team all-state defensive back- the only player of the decade to do so. As a reliable quarterback, he would finish his career with a 49-6 record and two state championships.
Brady Ours
6’2″ 185 lbs
Keyser (2014-2017)
Ours might come onto the list as the most versatile athlete in the 2010s. Despite sporting the #40, he did everything for the Golden Tornado including runningback, receiver, punter, returner, linebacker, quarterback, and especially defensive back. With his tall stature, he had incredible range at the safety position. His mechanics were top-notch as well being a surefire tackle in the open field. His hitting ability was also on par. After his great career at Keyser, he would go onto play for Robert Morris University.
Brandon Spurlock
5’9″ 190 lbs
Wayne (2009-2012)
Spurlock’s explosiveness and speed is exactly what the Pioneers needed to get over the postseason hump. As a high-flying defensive back and superstar runningback, Spurlock appeared in three title games throughout his career. The final two he would win after putting up MVP performances on both sides of the ball. His grit, consistency, and toughness allowed for 2011/2012 Wayne to finish the 2010s as one of the greatest teams to do it.
Defensive Utility
Jake Bowen
6’1″ 190 lbs
Bridgeport (2015-2018)
Bowen was a memorable performer for the Indians. The tall, quick moving safety was a ball hawk. He was known for not just making interceptions but also returning them for points. Of course, Bowen was a game changer in multiple phases through special teams and as a runningback where he finished his career as the all-time rushing leader in Bridgeport history. During his career, he won one state title, had three semifinal appearances, and two C&C awards.
DJ Edwards
6’2″ 205 lbs
Bluefield (2010-2013)
Edwards was a versatile star during his time with the Beavers. The tall athlete was an excellent safety who would fly up and smother runs. His speed allowed him to cover great bounds of grass in the pass game. These attributes let him be a dominant receiver and returner as well. He finished his career with several deep playoff runs and being recognized multiple times as a first-time all-stater.
Punter
George Triplett
6’0″ 170 lbs
Elkins (2014-2017)
Triplett was a fiercely talented specialist for Elkins. He set multiple records for the lengthy program history of the Tigers. This included the longest field goal. His best gift was his ability to flip the field with booming and accurate punts. His talent acquired plenty of accolades with all-state, C&C awards, and a scholarship to play for Princeton University.
Head Coach
Fred Simon
94-27 (1 State Championship)
Bluefield (1986-present)
There were plenty of great coaches to choose from as the coach of the decade. However, none made it to Wheeling as many times as Simon. On top of his three title appearances (one win), the Beavers made it to the semifinals three other times. AA was arguably the deepest field of competition in the 2010s and Bluefield’s year-in and year-out competitiveness at the highest level earns him AA Coach of the Decade.
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