By Danny Aiello Jr & Derek J. LaRiviere

Twitter: @DannyAielloJr @DerekJLaRiviere

 

To cap off the football season officially, Danny Aiello and Derek J. LaRiviere will run down their selections for all-Hernando County. While some may be the same, some may be different. Check out who chooses who… and why. If the two of us agree, the pick reads as “Consensus.”

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Consensus: DeShawn Smith, Sr., Nature Coast

This one is a no-brainer. Smith shattered every record the county had to offer this year, whether it was for a game, a season, or a career. The numbers he put up weren’t just amazing on a local level. He led the Sharks to the best postseason run, tied with Springstead two years ago, in county history. He was a one-man show every time out, and he never disappointed. Even in the final game at Clay, he was contained on the ground with only 116 yards and two touchdowns. So how’d he respond? So tired he was vomiting on the sideline, he made two SportsCenter-worthy catches for 107 yards and another touchdown.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Consensus: Justin Worden, Nature Coast

Much like Smith, Worden was a no-brainer for Coach of the Year. Leading the Sharks to the third ever perfect season in Hernando County history, Worden advanced the program to a Regional Final, a place no other Nature Coast team had ever ventured. The Sharks averaged 43.2 points per game while only allowing opponents to average 19.3 points per contest. In his two years as head coach, Worden is 18-5 overall and 10-2 in district play.

QUARTERBACK

Danny Aiello: Alec Cromie, Jr., Weeki Wachee

In a county not known for producing pocket-passers, Cromie had a fantastic season for the Hornets going 114-for-225 through the air for 2,040 yards. Passing for 19 touchdowns and adding two rushing scores Cromie set the tone for Weeki Wachee and this huge step forward should be a sign of bigger things to come.

Derek J. LaRiviere: Jordan Wright, So., Springstead

Honestly, this was a tough one, and I fully expect to get some heat for this decision. Obviously Cromie put up some big numbers, but Wright turned into a dynamic star once the Eagles let him loose offensively in the final three games of the season. In only nine games this season, he passed for over 800 yards with eight touchdowns, but the important number is only two interceptions. Wright took care of the ball while leading the Springstead offense to three straight wins to end the year, averaging 47 points per game during that stretch. He added four rushing touchdowns on top of everything else.

RUNNING BACK

Consensus: De’Vonta Smith, Jr., Central

Aiello: “So there was another Smith in Hernando County this year, who had himself one whale of a season. His 272 carries for 2,193 and 19 touchdowns led the Bears offense, all while Central overcame a lot of adversity this season. Smith was an all-around force this season.”

LaRiviere: “Smith’s campaign is going to go down as arguably the most underrated season in the history of this county. Why? Because his cousin at Nature Coast (Yes, his cousin…) blew away every benchmark in local annals. A supremely rare 2,000-yard season on the ground puts him head and shoulders above the rest of the field. The best part is that we have a chance to see Smith do even more next year because he’s only a junior. Getting past the tragedy that cost Central quarterback Sebastian Rivera his life at midseason, the schedule was a difficult one for the Bears. Smith’s ability really helped the community rally.”

RECEIVERS

Consensus: Emanuel Scott, Sr., Central
Shawn O’Gorman, Sr., Weeki Wachee
Randy Morgan, So., Springstead

Aiello: “The sure-handed Scott grabbed a spot on the all-county team for being so reliable for the Bears passing attack. The 6-foot senior wideout had 37 catches for 844 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging just under 23 yards a catch. The wide receiver section wouldn’t be complete without Hernando County’s all-time receiving leader. After spending a majority of his career at running back, O’Gorman moved to the slot this season and had a successful campaign. He had 43 catches for 714 yards and four touchdowns. Springstead’s offense isn’t one that is prolific in passing, however, Morgan reeled in 24 catches for 308 yards and two scores. The standout sophomore’s 12.8 yards per catch helped an Eagles offense down the stretch find their rhythm and begin to put up big numbers.”

LaRiviere: “This was a breakout year for receivers in Hernando County. Scott busted out for over 800 yards and seven touchdowns through the air, even with a fellow receiver (Ryan McCane) at quarterback for half the campaign and a running back (Smith) dominating most of the touches. O’Gorman bested his 42-catch year from 2014 with 43 catches in 2015, breaking the career county mark in the meantime. At Springstead, Morgan became Wright’s favorite target from the opening game. He caught a great touchdown from Wright in the loss to Central, and never looked back.”

TIGHT END

Consensus: Jacob Tinch, Sr., Weeki Wachee

Aiello: “One of the few true tight ends in the county, Tinch was used as a block-first TE with the ability to move the chains and pick up critical first downs. He excelled in that role, catching 13 passes turning them into 332 yards and four touchdowns.”

LaRiviere: “Tinch is the brother of former Hornets quarterback David Tinch. He showed good promise in during the summer, but he never really got the opportunity as a main target for Cromie until about midseason. Once he did, everything opened up for Weeki Wachee’s offense. The ability of Tinch to catch the ball in the seam and over the middle changed the way the Hornets were able to run the ball. It took a lot of pressure off of Cromie as the year went on.”

OFFENSIVE LINE

Aiello: Trevon Lincoln, Sr., Central
Cass Cole, Sr., Nature Coast
Hunter Rhineberger, Sr., Nature Coast
Hunter Hramika, Sr., Springstead
Devin Nichols, Sr., Hernando

Anytime a running back runs for over 2,000 yards, credit has to be given to the big nasties up front. Lincoln, a 6-foot-5, 300-pound senior, helped bulldoze offensive lines to clear lanes. At 6-foot-4, 285 pounds, Cole was a load on the offensive line and made DeShawn Smith’s job much easier. The senior lineman was a critical part the run-heavy Sharks game plan. Like Cole, Rhineberger had the task of clearing room for Smith to run. The 6-foot-3 two-sport athlete made huge strides this season, turning into an effective run and pass blocker. The offensive game plan for the Eagles this season revolved around running and more running. Hramika was a centerpiece of a Springstead offensive line designed to run block and the 6-foot-4, 290-pound senior didn’t disappoint. Nichols had the job of blocking for Christian Dowdell and holding blocks for quick passes in the Leopards offense. The 6-foot-3, 290-pound senior earned himself some extra looks and a spot in a Senior Bowl game.

LaRiviere: Hunter Rhineberger, Sr., Nature Coast
Bradley Navarro, Sr., Nature Coast
Hunter Hramika, Sr., Springstead
Cass Cole, Sr., Nature Coast
Trevon Lincoln, Sr., Central

Rhineberger, Navarro and Cole were the anchors of the offensive line in front of DeShawn Smith. The group lost highly-recruited Christian Pellage last season to South Carolina, and somehow, didn’t miss a beat. The credit for that goes in large part to the leadership of that trio. Hramika has been a standout along the line for the Eagles since the team went to the region finals two years ago, helping to pave the way for Springstead alumni Daniel Wright and Tyler Mahla. Lincoln, standing at 6-foot-5, 305 pounds, is also being recruited after his strong campaign as the anchor in front of De’Vonta Smith.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Aiello: Tyson Libengood, Sr., Hernando
Anthony Contegiacomo, Sr., Nature Coast
Cameron Syblis, Sr., Nature Coast
DeAndre Hannah, Sr., Central

Libengood was a force for a Leopards defense that proved to be tough all season. 72 tackles, eight sacks and 10 tackles-for-loss made the 6-foot-3 senior an easy all-county selection. While only listed at 5-foot-9, Contegiacomo proved huge for the Sharks’ line and their run prevention. Finishing with 98 tackles, 59 of which were solo, to go along with three sacks and seven tackles-for-loss, the senior run-stopper helped Nature Coast get to the region finals. Joining his fellow lineman, Syblis was a force up front. While he was moved around the defense all season, he did a ton of damage to opposing offenses at defensive line. 13 tackles-for-loss to go with four sacks and 56 solo tackles out of 94 total made the senior immensely valuable to Nature Coast. Central’s defense was underrated this season with all the focus on star running back De’Vonta Smith. Hannah quietly set the tempo for the Bears front seven with his nine sacks, three forced fumbles and four tackles-for-loss. He also registered 56 tackles with 42 coming as solo tackles.

LaRiviere: Anthony Contegiacomo, Sr., Nature Coast
Dean Brooks, Sr., Weeki Wachee
Tyson Libengood, Sr., Hernando
DeAndre Hannah, Sr., Central

The defensive line is all about penetration, regardless of whether you are defending the run or the pass, and all of these guys did a tremendous job of getting into the backfield. Contegiacomo manhandles other players all year long as a state finalist in wrestling and did the same for Nature Coast. Brooks, also a state-qualifying wrestler, made waves of his own on the gridiron as one of the leading tacklers for the Hornets each of the past two seasons. Libengood was the leader of a defensive front that really improved over the course of the season for Hernando. Hannah was disruptive to passing attacks throughout the season, dealing with double-teams for most of the second-half of the campaign.

LINEBACKERS

Aiello: Albon Jones, Sr., Central
Trevor Gamble, Jr., Nature Coast
Matthew Robinson, Jr., Nature Coast
Devon Dupuis, Sr., Weeki Wachee

Jones was a monster for the Bears this season and the definition of a stat-stuffer. Three blocked field goals was just the start for the senior, as he added eight tackles-for-loss, eight sacks, six forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. If that wasn’t enough for a senior sendoff, Jones had 105 tackles of which 73 were solo, and he returned the loose ball for the game-winning score against rival Springstead. Six sacks and 10 tackles-for-loss highlight the play of Gamble, but his 69 tackles helped Nature Coast stop the run during a critical run in the postseason. Robinson, along with Gamble, will return the Sharks a pair of all-county linebackers next season. The junior topped 100 tackles for the second straight season, posting 142 this season with 92 coming as solo tackles. He added five tackles-for-loss, three fumble recoveries and a sack. Dupuis led the county with 153 tackles this season, 66 registering as solo. The Hornet senior helped the program set a new record for wins as he led the defense with seven tackles-for-loss while forcing a fumble and blocking a field goal.

LaRiviere: Matthew Robinson, Jr., Nature Coast
Jake Lewandowski, Sr., Springstead
Devon Dupuis, Sr., Weeki Wachee
Albon Jones, Sr., Central

Robinson is on pace to challenge the county career mark for tackles. Conor Ross picked up 396 in his career at Springstead, and with 255 and one season left to go, the Shark linebacker could find himself in elite company before it’s all over. Oddly enough, it’s another member of this list, Jake Lewandowski, who took Ross’s spot with the Eagle defense. How he responded was becoming one of the area’s top tacklers with 114. Dupuis was described by Weeki Wachee coaches as an animal. All over the field, the senior had an amazing 30 tackles in one game. Finally, Albon Jones broke the 100-tackle mark despite missing all of one and part of another game. With only eight and half games, he bested most who went a full season.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Aiello: Bruce Warren, Sr., Hernando
Eli Mendoza, Jr., Weeki Wachee
Demetrius Barry, Jr., Springstead
Donte Young, Sr., Weeki Wachee

The Leopards defense was really good this season. Now to follow up that obvious statement, Warren had five interceptions to go along with 50 tackles and a forced fumble. The 6-foot-3 senior helped lead a defense that bought into a team-first system and made it very difficult on opposing offenses. Mendoza was a very under-the-radar selection this season. Recording 48 tackles, 3 interceptions and 15 pass deflections, the junior was a definite shutdown corner. Returning next season, Mendoza will lead the Hornets as they look to solidify their defense. Young was the name player when it came to Hornet defenders this season. Despite opponents having film on him, the senior posted two interceptions, two forced fumbles and 86 tackles. He also was good at coming up from the safety position to help in the run game, adding three tackles-for-loss. In his first season with the Eagles, Barry had three interceptions and 64 tackles. While the defense struggled to find their footing early on, the junior was one player that could be counted on to keep assignment and make passing to his side very difficult.

LaRiviere: T.J. Owens, Jr., Springstead
Brian Haygood, Jr., Nature Coast
Eli Mendoza, Jr., Weeki Wachee
Bruce Warren, Sr., Hernando

Owens scored 12 touchdowns on offense this season, and nine of those came in the final three games. Why did it take so long for the Eagles to make him a force on offense? Because Owens was so valuable to the defense at safety. He finished with 70 tackles, second on the team behind Lewandowski. Haygood also was a star on offense, taking over as the Sharks QB around midseason. While he showed immediate impact on that side of the ball, the junior was a force on defense all year in the secondary, snagging three interceptions. Mendoza stepped up with three interceptions for an improved Hornets defense, but the real shutdown cornerback on this list is Warren. The Hernando senior had three picks last year, and followed with another great campaign.

KICKER

Consensus: Kyle Pierce, Sr., Nature Coast

Aiello: “Pierce, a soccer player by trade, ended up kicking the ball over the uprights in this sport to the tune of a county record this season. The junior was 48-of-57 on PAT attempts this season, 48 being the new county record.”

LaRiviere: “The record-breaking performance from Pierce is all the more impressive when you realize that he didn’t make one field goal on the campaign. In fact, the kicker with a big leg did not even attempt a three-pointer.”

HONORABLE MENTION

Aiello: Jordan Wright, Jr., Springstead (QB)
Christian Dowdell, Sr., Hernando (RB)
Brian Haygood, Jr., Nature Coast (QB/DB)
Jake Lewandowski, Sr., Springstead (LB)
Joseph Leonard, Sr., Nature Coast (DB)

LaRiviere: Alec Cromie, Jr., Weeki Wachee (QB)
Christian Dowdell, Sr., Hernando (RB)
Josh Rivera, Jr., Central (LB)
Cameron Syblis, Sr., Nature Coast (RB/LB)
Demetrius Barry, Jr., Springstead (DB)

SPECIAL HONORABLE MENTION

Consensus: Sebastian Rivera, Jr., Central (QB)