Marais des Cygnes Valley experienced a breakout season this fall, going 6-4 and advancing to the 8-Man Division I State playoffs.
Without running back Chisom Spencer, it’s difficult to imagine the Trojans having anywhere near that kind of success.
Spencer was the go-to player for the Trojans, and with the Lyon County League featuring running backs like Lebo’s Cameron Smith, Madison's Michael Luthi and Waverly’s Dakota Foster, it was an impressive feat in itself that he led the league in rushing.
But Spencer went a step further, finishing the regular season by leading all 8-Man rushers in the state with 1,736 yards on 213 carries.
A first-team All-Lyon County League selection obviously was warranted. It wasn't any sort of a stretch either that Spencer was named The Emporia Gazette's All-Area 8-Man Player of the Year for 2007.
Spencer earned his spot on the All-Area squad at running back along with Madison's Luthi, who helped the Bulldogs to the State playoff quarterfinals after rushing for 1,322 yards during the regular season.
Two of Spencer's teammates at Marais des Cygnes Valley joined him on the All-Area team. All-League selections Michael Spillman, defensive line, and Bryan Phillips, linebacker, earned honors at the same spots on the All-Area squad.
Madison led the 8-Man squad with five selections. After Luthi, offensive linemen Matt Baysinger and Ryan Williams, tight end Kaleb Schankie and defensive back Charlie Schlotterbeck made the All-Area squad.
The 8-Man Coach of the Year honor went to Madison's Fred McClain, who guided his team to a 9-2 record, the District title and the 8-Man Division I playoffs before the Bulldogs fell in the second round to eventual State runner-up Hanover.
The All-Area quarterback spot went to Lebo’s Blake Jones, the only player from the area to be named to the All-Area squad at two different positions. Jones also was selected as the All-Area punter after being a unanimous All-League selection at both positions this fall.
Lebo also saw offensive lineman Dylan Montgomery and linebacker Cameron Smith make the All-Area team.
Two-time defending State champion Waverly failed to make the playoffs this fall but still was well-represented on the All-Area team with four selections.
Matt Hevel earned a spot at wide receiver, while Dakota Foster and Mason Fleming occupied the final two spots on the defensive line and Kevin Schmidt earned the nod at defensive back.
The final two selections went to Burlingame linebacker Chris Patterson and Flinthills kicker Michael Strasser.
AshtonHandy (anonymous) says...
Congratulation to the kids, but there should be one other kid on the roster. He led the league in tackles and opposing teams ran to the other side of the field to avoid him. Since he didn't get recognized I will recognize him. BRANDON SPEER you did an awesome job this year and even though you may not have gotten the recognition you so greatly deserved the people of Lebo know that the team would have not gotten to the playoffs without you. I can not understand why your name isn't in the paper when teams ran to the opposite side to avoid you, but you still made the tackles. Good luck in the furture.
November 24, 2007 at 9:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )