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2006 All-Times Offensive Team
Quarterback Jeremy Mountain - Maryvale
Senior quarterback
Mountain blossomed in his second season as the Flyers' starting quarterback, completing 34 of 77 passes for 602 yards, including eight touchdowns and just two interceptions.
"He's such a good leader," Maryvale head coach Steve Griffin said of Mountain. "He really grew up a lot this year and took great steps forward."
Running Backs
Mike Sanders - Depew
Senior tailback
Sanders had his second consecutive outstanding season as Depew's main running back, rushing for 1,040 yards on 159 carries, a 6.5 yards-percarry average. He also contributed 13 rushing touchdowns.
"Mike amazed me with some of the things he did this year," Depew head coach Dan McGrath said of Sanders. "He would see a small hole and run through it."
Joe Duquette - JFK
Senior tailback
Duquette was a close runner-up to Sanders for Offensive Player of the Year honors, almost single-handedly carrying the Bears' offense by rushing for 895 yards on 182 carries, a five yards-per-carry average.
The senior also contributed a whopping 18 touchdowns, including several multi-score games.
"The kid's just all heart," JFK cohead coach Mark Ostempowski said of Duquette. "He loves the game. He worked very hard in the weight room to get ready for this season."
Wide Receivers
Matt Mohr - Maryvale
Senior split end
Mohr was the perfect wideout in Maryvale's run-dominated offense, producing big plays when called upon. The 6-foot, 5-inch senior caught a team-high 16 passes for 352 yards, a 21.7 yards-per-catch average, including seven touchdowns, which also led the Flyers.
Eric Wild - Depew
Senior split end
Wild, like Mohr, used his size (6- 4) to his advantage, hauling in a team-best 17 receptions for 272 yards, a 16 yards-per-catch average, as well as four touchdown grabs.
Tight End
Paul Nieman - Depew
Senior tight end
Nieman, whose prototypical tight end size (6'4, 248) helped him effectively block and muscle defenders downfield, provided a solid outlet for sophomore quarterback Joe Christiano, also contributing 11 catches for 149 yards.
McGrath described Nieman as a "triple-threat" who could effectively run pass routes, as well as block well from both the tight end and backfield positions.
"We looked to Paul to blow defenders off the line of scrimmage, and he did that," McGrath said.
Offensive Line Carlton Byrum - Depew
Senior guard
Byrum was Depew's emotional leader on both sides of the ball, displaying a toughness and desire that Depew head coach Dan McGrath said inspired the Wildcats.
Corey Knox - JFK
Senior guard
Knox excelled as one of JFK's best lead blockers, opening holes for Duquette and providing stable protection for senior quarterback Jerome Okonzak.
"Corey had a nice center of gravity and was one of our most effective blockers," Ostempowski said. "Duquette loved running behind him."
Phil Tardivo - Depew
Senior tackle
Tardivo was another of Depew's big, tough linemen, opening holes for Sanders and giving Christiano ample time to deliver throws. The 6- 1, 271-pound tackle, known as "Big Papi" to teammates, also provided Depew with solid leadership.
"He would do anything I asked him to do," McGrath said of Tardivo. "He was a hard-working kid, and he was one of the guys we ran behind when we needed to get a first down." Justin Babirad - Central
Senior lineman
Babirad stepped up as an important cog on Cheektowaga Central's offensive line this fall, providing leadership and experience on a youthful Warriors squad. The senior opened holes all season for a host of Central backs and also provided stable pass protection.
"Justin is a technician and he has very good hands and feet," said Central head coach Scott Zipp. Mike Gozdziak - Maryvale
Junior guard
Gozdziak helped transform a Maryvale offensive line, which featured four new starters this season, into a strong force. Griffin said the junior enjoyed playing with a physical attitude.
"Mike is a football player," Griffin said. "He likes hitting people. He's a big, quick guy, who can definitely smack people around."
Kicker Josh Richbart- Maryvale
Junior placekicker
Richbart provided stability to Maryvale's kicking game, converting 22 of 25 extra points. Although he did not attempt a field goal, he provided the Flyers with a dependable alternative instead of always having to "go for two," like they had in previous seasons.
"Josh did a real nice job for us," Griffin said. "I'm expecting big things out of him next season, too." Honorable Mention Marquis Dorsey - Cleve Hill
Senior tailback
Dorsey made a major impact on Cleve Hill's offense, rushing for a team-high 787 yards on 171 carries, a 4.6 yards-per-carry average, as well as five touchdowns.
Defensively, Dorsey contributed 36 tackles and deflected three passes.
Jim Litz - Maryvale
Junior guard
Despite playing against much bigger linemen, this 5-6, 142-pound guard more than held his own, using his strength and quickness to hold defenders at bay.
The junior earned a pair of Trench Trophy nominations this season, indicating strong play on the field.
"He's tenacious," Griffin said of Litz. "His technique was almost perfect, when he would get under linemen and drive them back down the field. He made defensive linemen upset because he surprised them with how tough he was."
Zak Sucharski - Central
Senior lineman
Sucharski, along with Babirad, provided solid leadership on Central's relatively young offensive line. Zipp described Sucharski as a talented run blocker and credited his and Babirad's play for helping Central's offense develop.
"Both of these kids did an excellent job all year in allowing our option offense to be successful," Zipp said of the duo. "Zak is aggressive and strong, and had great mobility to get up to the linebacker level."
Tony Rauth - Maryvale
Senior fullback
Rauth headed Maryvale's potent, versatile rushing attack, which also included seniors John Rutherford, Mark Rohloff and sophomore Brooks Estarfaa. Rauth led the Flyers with 665 yards on 105 carries, a 6.6 yards-per-carry average, also contributing five touchdowns.
He showed great consistency this season, not once being caught for a minus-yardage carry.
"Tony would get hit but he would still drive forward for yards that we needed," said Griffin.
Joe Christiano - Depew
Sophomore quarterback
Christiano was solid in his first season as Depew's starting quarterback, throwing five touchdowns and rushing for three scores. The sophomore completed 31 of 69 passes for 466 yards. Matt Brennan- Maryavle
Senior tight end
Although his offensive statistics (seven catches, 80 yards, two touchdowns) might not show it, Brennan had an outstanding season, providing great blocking in Maryvale's runoriented offense.
"Matt was one of the best blockers and two-way players in the area," Griffin said. "We didn't throw to him a lot but his blocking was tremendous. He did what we needed."
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