FIRST-TEAM OFFENSE
ROGES' BUTLER
Joppatowne, lineman
At right guard, the 6-foot-2, 255-pound Butler was described by his coach as an "outstanding" drive blocker, moving straight ahead, and was also capable of getting out on sweeps and downfield to confront defensive backs. The senior did not play as a junior, but he spent a great deal of time in the weight room and gained 45 pounds of muscle over the past two years.
With the help of his blocks, Joppatowne ran for more than 4,000 yards.
He is expected to continue playing football next year, probably at a Division III school.
MICHAEL CAMPANARO
River Hill, running back
The Hawks' senior was the Howard County Offensive Player of the Year and made a strong case for the All-Metro award, as he led River Hill to a 14-0 record, a second consecutive Class 2A state crown and a third straight trip to the title game.
The Wake Forest-bound Campanaro, 5-10, 175 pounds, used his field vision and instincts to rush for 1,848 yards and 29 touchdowns. He caught 17 passes for 266 yards and three touchdowns, threw a 43-yard touchdown pass and returned seven punts for 180 yards and two touchdowns. He also made eight interceptions and scored three more times, including once in the 2A final with a strained hamstring.
Over his career, he was 41-1 with the Hawks and ran for more than 6,500 yards and nearly 90 touchdowns. A two-time All-Metro first-team selection, he has been invited to participate in the Under Armour All-America game, as one of the top 90 high school players in the country, Jan. 4 in Orlando, Fla.
BILLY COSH
Arundel, quarterback
Cosh's 56 touchdown passes and 3,913 passing yards set single-season state records and had everyone in the metro area talking.
Arundel coach Chuck Markiewicz said Cosh's success wasn't an accident. "He works very hard, he's a student of the game, he takes it very seriously and he's a film watcher," Markiewicz said. "And he loves to play the game."
Cosh, 6-1and 200 pounds, completed 292 of 448 passes (65.2 percent). He threw 12 interceptions and fumbled only once. He also carried the ball 91 times for 161 yards and three touchdowns.
Cosh led No. 6 Arundel (11-2) to the 4A state semifinals, where he threw for 475 yards and five touchdowns in a losing effort.
NICK DEPAOLA
Hereford, running back
The 6-1, 206-pound senior was the driving force for the No. 7 Bulls (10-3), carrying the ball 181 times for 1,621 yards and 16 touchdowns, and also catching three passes for touchdowns.
"The three things that set him apart were his work ethic, his very competitive attitude and his speed," Hereford coach Steve Turnbaugh said.
DePaola also played strong defense. A free safety, DePaola recorded 36 tackles, one fumble recovery, seven pass breakups and five interceptions - one returned 102 yards for a touchdown. DePaola is being recruited by Towson and Rutgers.
BEAU HAWORTH
Archbishop Spalding, lineman
A dedicated weight trainer, Haworth used his 6-7, 290-pound frame to flatten the opposition and open holes for the Cavaliers' running game. The senior was credited with 50 "pancakes," in which he knocked opposing linemen on their backs.
Despite his size, Haworth moved smoothly along the line, exhibiting his ability to contribute to pulling plays. He was also an asset on defense on goal-line stands.
Haworth has been named to the Crab Bowl, a game for Maryland all-stars. He will attend Navy.
ALEX KIRSCH
Eastern Tech, lineman
The Mavericks' senior tackle helped anchor an offensive line that made holes for six running backs who each rushed for more than 260 yards.
Kirsch, who did not start as a junior, worked hard in the offseason to strengthen his 6-3, 339-pound frame. His efforts helped the Mavericks (13-1) finish as the 2A state runner-ups for the second straight season.
He is drawing interest from Division I schools such as Albany and Robert Morris.
ALEC LEMON
Arundel, receiver
Regarded by some as the best player in the state, Lemon caught just about everything thrown at him over the past season. In 13 games, he caught 103 passes for 1,616 yards (15.7 yards per catch) and 23 touchdowns. He tied state records for receptions and touchdowns and set one for receiving yards.
The 6-2, 185-pound senior also rushed for 214 yards and four touchdowns on 28 carries, and he ran back 22 kickoffs for 531 yards (24.1-yard average) and one touchdown. Against Severna Park in the 4A East regional final, Lemon scored twice on the defensive side - on a fumble recovery and an interception.
Arundel coach Chuck Markiewicz said Lemon has natural talent but also has worked hard to refine his skills.
Lemon has accepted a full scholarship to Syracuse.
DOUG SHAW
Loyola, lineman
Loyola coach Brian Abbott said the senior was the team's hardest-working player. When Loyola needed a first down, it was Shaw who led the way.
With Shaw blocking, the Dons had better than a 60 percent success rate on third-down conversions and were 90 percent on fourth down. On defense, opposing teams tried double-teaming him, and he still made 53 tackles, 11 for losses, with six sacks and one forced fumble.
Shaw, a two-time All-Metro first-team pick, has been selected to the BTC All-Star game and is looking at several Division I and Division II schools.
DAVE STINEBAUGH
Perry Hall, tight end
This senior is nearly a whole football team wrapped in a single package. He played three positions on offense - primarily tight end - and four on defense, including linebacker and safety. And he punted.
"He's the most instinctive player I've ever been around," said his coach, Keith Robinson. "His understanding of the game, it's like having a coach on the field."
Over his Perry Hall career, Stinebaugh had 146 receptions for 2,530 yards, a 17.3-yards-per-catch average and 37 touchdowns. This season, he caught 45 passes for 632 yards and nine touchdowns. On defense, he made 81 tackles, deflected eight passes and made seven interceptions. He also recovered five fumbles and returned two for touchdowns.
This is Stinebaugh's second first-team All-Metro appearance. He is committed to Maryland.
SCOTT TRENCH
River Hill, kicker
He has been River Hill's not-so-secret weapon. The 6-1, 170-pound senior, who can double as a tight end or linebacker, has kicked off 75 times this season, resulting in 28 touchbacks.
Trench also connected on 57 of 61 extra-point tries and kicked a 27-yard field goal in the 1A state championship game. It was the first field goal of his River Hill career. "We usually go for it on fourth down," he said. Converting the kick added to a season he said provided "total satisfaction."
Trench hopes to play football next year, but he is choosing a school based on its math and science programs. Among the schools he is interested in are Lehigh, Boston College, Vanderbilt and Harvard.
ANTHONY WATTERS
Dunbar, lineman
At 6-1 and 235 pounds, Watters anchored an offensive line that made it possible for Tavon Austin, Jonathan Perry and Davon Muse to operate so well in the Poets' backfield.
Austin, a three-time Baltimore Sun Offensive Player of the Year, rushed for 2,660 yards and 34 touchdowns this season, Perry completed 60 percent of his passes for 1,771 yards, and Muse rushed for 967 yards.
Watters, a senior, is often credited with out-thinking his opponents. He has also been a major contributor on defense, with 64 tackles and nine sacks.
FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE
CORY ANDERLIK
Century, linebacker
Anderlik did the job on both sides of the ball for the No. 11 Knights (12-1), who made it to the Class 2A state semifinals. He rushed for more than 1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns, but it was on the defensive side that coach Tony Shermeyer said Anderlik was "Mr. Everything."
The 6-foot, 235-pound senior has deceptive quickness that puts him in the path of opposing ball carriers much of the time. He led the Knights' defense with 102 tackles, including 66 unassisted, and two interceptions - one for a touchdown. He forced five fumbles and recovered four, had eight pass breakups and recorded three sacks.
Anderlik's strengths are his solid tackling and ability to make good reads. He is being recruited by Division I Robert Morris University and Division II West Chester University.
TERENCE GARVIN
Loyola, defensive back
At 6-3, 210 pounds, Garvin made receivers think twice about going up for a catch. The big, rangy defender made 32 tackles and two interceptions. He caused one fumble and recovered another, as he aided a stingy defense that helped Loyola to a team record for wins (11-0) and the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference championship for the third straight year.
Garvin was also a major contributor at running back. The senior had 1,259 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns.
He has been selected for the Crab Bowl, an all-star game featuring the best players in the state, and has accepted a full scholarship to West Virginia.
SEAN HULL
River Hill, lineman
Hull anchored the Hawks' outstanding defense all season from his nose guard position. Using his 6-2, 300-pound frame, the senior had 58 tackles - 10 of them for losses - and two sacks, and he caused two fumbles and recovered two for a team that allowed just 2.8 points a game during the regular season with seven shutouts.
The big lineman was equally good on the offensive side at center, as River Hill running backs rushed for more than 4,200 yards.
Among the schools he is considering are Wake Forest, Towson, William and Mary, Temple and Bucknell.
DANNY MARCH
Wilde Lake,
defensive back
The Wildecat is the Baltimore Touchdown Club's Defensive Player of the Year, an honor he also earned from Howard County coaches.
The senior had 94 unassisted tackles and 33 assists. He made seven interceptions - returning three for touchdowns - and deflected nine passes. March also blocked three punts and a field-goal attempt.
Offensively, March passed for 546 yards and five touchdowns, ran for 890 yards and 10 touchdowns, and also scored on a punt return.
HORACE MILLER
Dunbar, defensive end
Miller recorded 29 sacks, including one in the 1A state championship game that sealed the Poets' victory. He was the Poets' second-leading tackler, with 133 stops - 85 of them unassisted - and he forced six fumbles and recovered three.
He was a four-year varsity player and a three-year starter. The 6-2, 215-pound senior is leaning toward Nevada-Las Vegas, but Syracuse and Western Michigan are also in the running.
GARY ONUEKWUSI
Dunbar, linebacker
His coaches describe this senior as a "selfless" player who would play wherever they asked him to. Through four varsity seasons, three of them as a starter, the senior moved around from defensive end to outside linebacker. This season, he was shifted to his natural position of middle linebacker, and he thrived.
The unquestioned leader of a defensive unit that continued to improve in the postseason, Onuekwusi, 6-2, 220 pounds, made 156 tackles - 96 of them unassisted - with 4 1/2 sacks, two fumble recoveries and five forced fumbles.
He is considering Temple, Liberty, Hampton, Massachusetts and Syracuse for next season.
ELLIOTT POEHLMAN
Loyola, lineman
A three-year starter and team captain, Poehlman was one of Loyola's strongest players, benching more than 300 pounds and squatting more than 400. His strength helped him at defensive end, where he recorded 44 tackles.
Poehlman, who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.9 seconds, recorded five sacks and seven other tackles for losses.
The 6-2, 245-pound senior helped anchor a line that allowed just 76 points in 11 games, while recording four shutouts. On the offensive side, he opened holes for a team that scored 437 points.
He has been selected to the Baltimore Touchdown Club All-Star game and is looking at several Division I Football Championship Subdivision and Division II schools for next year.
MALEK REDD
River Hill, cornerback
Redd, a three-year defensive starter, consistently covered opposing teams' top receivers. With his speed - 4.38 in the 40 - and his vertical leap, Redd hasn't been scored on for two years. River Hill coach Brian Van Deusen said Redd's dominance over opposing receivers has allowed him to adjust his defense and strengthen the Hawks' blitz package, enabling them to send more players into opposing teams' backfields.
Redd made 27 tackles this season, including one for a loss, and picked off two of the few balls that came his way. On the offensive side, he also was a major contributor, carrying 134 times for 1,392 yards for an 11.4-yard average and 14 touchdowns. Nineteen of those carries came in the Class 2A championship game, for 76 yards and a touchdown.
The senior has accepted a full scholarship to Central Michigan.
RENARD ROBINSON
Mount St. Joseph, defensive back
The senior breaks on the ball well and is an excellent tackler. He made 37 tackles this season and also was a soft-spoken leader.
Robinson, a two-way player, had 1,500 all-purpose yards with an 18-yards-per-catch average and 6 yards per carry.
Gaels coach Chip Armstrong said he "sets an excellent example for our younger players." Robinson, who carries a 3.8 grade point average, is considering offers from Villanova, Richmond, James Madison, William and Mary, Syracuse and Connecticut.
TYLER WEEDON
Catonsville, linebacker
The sophomore has started every game at middle linebacker in his two seasons and has been a unanimous All-Baltimore County first-team selection (as voted on by county coaches) in both seasons.
Well taught in Arbutus youth leagues, Weedon used his 4.7 speed in the 40 to lead the team with 148 tackles.
Weedon has already received interest from UCLA and Clemson.
AARON WILSON
Eastern Tech, lineman
The 5-11, 187-pound senior did whatever his team needed this season, moving back and forth between nose guard and linebacker.
The senior made 98 tackles, forced three fumbles and recovered two for the Class 2A state finalists. He also spent a lot of time in opposing teams' backfields, recording 11 sacks and blocking four punts.
"His play was stellar," said coach Marc Mesaros, whose team finished 13-1.
Not previously on the recruiting radar, his effort this season has drawn attention from Division III schools.