ALL-AREA FOOTBALL: Big Schools Offensive Player of the Year: Tre Mason, Park Vista

Thursday, January 07, 2010
by Jason Lieser

Photo by Ray Graham / The Palm Beach Post

Statistically, Park Vista running back Tre Mason's worst game of the season came in Week 7 against Dwyer, but it might have been his most impressive showing of the year.

Mason managed just 63 yards on 14 carries, but it was the highest rushing total by any area back against the Panthers' imposing defense.

"He had two really outstanding runs in that game, but because Dwyer's so good, nobody really noticed," Cobras coach Brian Dodds said. "It was a really nice game for him against a really great team."

Mason, a junior, led the area with 1,460 rushing yards, averaged 8.8 per carry and ran for 24 touchdowns. He also had an interception return for a score and three special teams touchdowns this season.

His best game came in the district championship against Boca Raton, when he ran for 294 yards and four touchdowns on just 21 carries.

In addition to his speed (4.42 in the 40-yard dash) and elusiveness in traffic, Mason benefited from one of the area's strongest offensive lines, including junior tackles Mike Matulis and Cody Preble.

"We had a massive o-line this year and got a big push from them," Mason said. "They're my boys."

In addition to Mason, Preble and Matulis, the Cobras will bring back juniors-to-be Nate Kengle and Shane O'Shea, both of whom gained starting experience in 2009.

"This is going to be the biggest line I've ever been around and with Tre back there, too, we're really excited about next season," Dodds said.

Mason is 5-foot-9, 185 pounds and already has firm offers from Duke and Florida International. Several more prominent programs, including Miami, have shown interest and he is likely to pick up additional offers this spring.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Jack Daniels, Dwyer

In his 14th season as coach, Daniels guided the Panthers to a 14-1 record and their first state championship. Boca Raton's Keith Byars and Treasure Coast's Bill Kelley also were worthy.

BIG SCHOOLS FIRST-TEAM OFFENSE

Eddie Sullivan, Boca Raton, QB

Senior. Ht., Wt.: 6-2, 200. Threw for 2,277 yards in the regular season and 21 TD passes. Committed to Wake Forest.

Zach Fisher, South Fork, RB

Senior. Ht., Wt.: 5-9, 175. He rushed for 1,245 yards and 14 touchdowns on 152 carries in the regular season.

Leon Shorter, Fort Pierce Westwood, WR

Senior. Ht., Wt.: 6-3, 175. Averaged 24.4 yards per catch, scored seven TDs and led big schools with 780 receiving yards.

James Louis, Atlantic, WR

Senior. Ht., Wt.: 6-0, 185. Caught 39 passes for 650 yards and nine touchdowns. Committed to Ohio State.

Brett Thiesen, Jensen Beach, WR

Senior. Ht., Wt.: 5-10, 150. Had 34 receptions for 733 yards and eight touchdowns for the Falcons.

Nick O'Leary, Dwyer, TE

Junior. Ht., Wt.: 6-4, 220. Helped Panthers to state title with 25 catches for 437 yards and six touchdowns in the regular season.

Shane McDermott, P.B. Central, OL

Senior. Ht., Wt.: 6-4, 270. McDermott had 45 pancake blocks and earned a 94 percent grade for the season. Committed to Miami.

Avery Young, Palm Beach Gardens, OL

Soph. Ht., Wt.: 6-5, 280. He already has the attention of area opposing coaches and a long list of college suitors.

Mike Matulis, Park Vista, OL

Junior. Ht., Wt.: 6-5, 260. Helped push the Cobras to 2,864 rushing yards, by far the area's highest total.

Charles Dowdy, Dwyer, OL

Senior. Ht., Wt.: 6-2, 245. Was the top-rated blocker on a Panthers team that scored more than 40 ppg in regular season.

Austin Williams, Seminole Ridge, OL

Senior. Ht., Wt.: 6-4, 230. Anchored a line that helped the Hawks rush for more than 2,200 yards and graded out at 88 percent.

Terrell Williams, Boca Raton, All-purpose

Senior. Ht., Wt.: 5-9, 175. Caught 28 passes for 677 yards and eight TDs and also starred in secondary and special teams.

BIG SCHOOLS SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

Pos., Name, Ht., Wt., School, Year

QB — Mark Leal, 6-1, 190, Atlantic, senior

RB — Irie Perry, 5-6, 175, John I. Leonard, senior

RB — Juan O'Farril, 5-10, 225, Palm Beach Lakes, senior

RB — Aspha Smart, 6-0, 220, West Boca Raton, senior

WR — Jeacky Charles, 6-3, 195, Seminole Ridge, senior

WR — Jared Dangerfield, 6-2, 180, Royal Palm Beach, senior

OL — Cody Preble, 6-4, 315, Park Vista, junior

OL — Kyle Tullock, 6-4, 330, Palm Beach Lakes, junior

OL — Brandon Ross, 6-0, 250, Fort Pierce Westwood, junior

OL — Jose Moreno, 5-11, 270, Atlantic, senior

OL — Ricky Sturm, 6-3, 260, Boca Raton, senior

AP — Jarrod Lacy, 5-11, 185, Santaluces, senior

BIG SCHOOLS HONORABLE MENTION

Quarterbacks

Jacoby Brissett, Dwyer; Travares Copeland, FP Westwood; Evan Moore, Lake Worth; Dustin Paonessa, Jensen Beach.

Running backs

Alex Clark, PB Gardens; Mike Duhart, Martin Co.; Javaris Giles, Centennial; Javonti Greene, Royal PB; Gary Holmes, Seminole Ridge; Dexter Leggette, Forest Hill; Jerry Michel, Lake Worth; Albert Wilson, Port St. Lucie; Tevin Wilson, Jensen Beach; Javian Wrisper, Seminole Ridge.

Wide receivers

Salomon Albery, Lake Worth; J'Rod Beard, Atlantic; Anthony Darrisaw, Boca Raton; Quadarias Mireles, Atlantic; Ezekiel Turner, Atlantic; D.J. Williams, Jupiter.

Offensive linemen

Demetrius Anderson, FP Westwood; Ray Collet, Seminole Ridge; Brandon De La Cruz, PB Central; Craig Dowdy, Dwyer; Kevin Farrell, West Boca Raton; Edivaldo Fontes, Olympic Heights; Zach Grant, Martin County; Austin Matos, Treasure Coast; William Munker, Royal PB; Josue Ordonez, Spanish River; Karl Strombourough, Jupiter; Joe Thomas, Santaluces; Brandon Wise, Boca Raton.

Defensive linemen

Jajuan Blue, West Boca Raton; Keith Bowers, Dwyer; Ben Estica, Santaluces; Alex Dinardo, Wellington; Michael Fleurizard, Dwyer; Henry Jartu, Park Vista; Nartavious Johnson, John I. Leonard; Casey Kinard, Olympic Heights; D.J. McCellion, Atlantic; Giorgio Newberry, FP Central; Michael Pluviose, Centennial; Eric Poppert, Seminole Ridge; Denzel Reed, PB Gardens.

Linebackers

Wallen Augustine, Santaluces; Ben Chapman, Wellington; Marc Danieli, Boca Raton; Eddy Delva, PB Lakes; Ernie George, Jupiter; Addophous Gordon, FP Westwood; Jimelle James, PB Gardens; Tayshaun Martinez, Santaluces; Wonderful Monds, FP Westwood; Blake Nehls, S Fork; Zack Slafsky, Olympic Heights; Torrie Walker, PB Lakes.

Defensive backs

Jabari Cargill, FP Central; Winter Cullen, Wellington; Carlos Dansby, PB Gardens; Demaris Freeman, Park Vista; Steven Funderburk, Treasure Coast; Peniel Jean, PB Central; C.J. Roberts, Santaluces; Eric Shaeffer, West Boca; Matt Thomas, PB Lakes.

Kickers and punters

Mauro Bondi, West Boca; Nick Brewer, Wellington; Matt Johnson, Seminole Ridge; Wesley McCraven, Jensen; Bobby Puyol, Dwyer.