Region 8-A football coaches recently named their 2011 All-Region Team. In the lineup, Commerce High School quarterback Cody Streetman received top honors as the league’s offensive player of the year.
Head coach Marvin Justice praised Streetman, who led the Tigers in rushing with 205 carries for 1,113 yards and 16 touchdowns. The senior also completed 54 of 105 passes for 699 yards and three touchdowns.
One of his best performances came at the end of the season against Lincoln County in the state playoffs.
Streetman carried the ball a staggering 41 times for 198 yards and two touchdowns to help the Tigers keep the game close against the Red Devils, who ended the Tigers’ season 35-14.
“I think Cody is definitely deserving,” Justice said. “He’s the best all around offensive player, he has the best arm in the region, the best legs and the best mind.”
Region champion Prince Avenue headlined the all-star team with 17 picks, including coach of the year Mark Farriba and Player of the Year, Rob Farriba, the Wolverines’ running back. Prince Avenue (13-1, 8-0) lost to eventual Class A state champion Savannah Christian in the state semifinals.
In all, six players joined Streetman as representing Commerce (4-7, 3-3) on the all-region team.
On the defensive side, linebacker Josh Swistak made 53 solo tackles, 29 assists and two sacks. Additionally, the senior served as a near perfect place kicker and excellent substitute punter. Swistak stepped in for Streetman, who suffered from turf toe much of the season.
“Josh was our defensive leader. He led by example. And he was a big hitter. I’ve watched Josh make some of the six or seven best hits I’ve ever seen on any level,” Justice said, adding that his transition to punter for Streetman likely resulted in the quarterback completing a strong season at quarterback.
Chance McClure, a sophomore, also led the defense in tackles as a defensive end. His style on the field is reminiscent of another era, the coach said.
“Chance is a throwback athlete. He is tough, hard nosed,” Justice said. “He is one of those type players you had 30-40 years ago. You don’t have that many like him left any more.”
As Streetman’s “clutch” receiver, senior Garrett Wilson caught 27 passes for 339 yards for a 12.6 average. A two-year starter, he scored one touchdown this season and his longest reception was for 45 yards. How he supported his teammates was as important as his receptions, the coach said.
“He quietly had a real good season,” Justice said. “When we threw the ball, he was our go to man. Not only did he do a good job catching, he did a real good job blocking. And on the high school level if you can’t block, you’re not going to play receiver.”
On the offensive line, junior Micah Eason continued to be the “unsung” strongman who allowed Streetman and his offense to produce the yards it did, Justice said.
“He gets very little praise or publicity and it doesn’t bother him a bit. He takes pride in what he does,” Justice said, of the three-year starter. “He is very consistent and he gets the job done, play after play. If it weren’t for players like him, we wouldn’t have the offensive player of the year.”
Junior Clay Pritchett was named to the all-academic team for his outstanding achievement to his studies as well as his team. Justice said Pritchett’s average hovered around 99 in Commerce’s most difficult classes.
“He doesn’t have a 99 taking easy classes,” the coach said. “He is taking the best we have to offer.”
Junior Dillion Haggard was named especially as one of the region’s five “Rudy” award recipients.
Rudy awards go to those players who best exemplify the Notre Dame-inspired story of Rudy Ruettiger, who was carried off the field after the only game he ever played. The reason why: Ruettiger never gave anything less than his very best when playing football for his team.
“It’s basically for the kid who has the never give up attitude. They have the great work ethic and a great attitude,” Justice said. “It’s kind of one of those awards, when you hear it, you think it was a joke. But to me, this might be the best award you could. If there is anybody who deserved that award, it was Dillion. He’s not real big, not real fast, but he plays like he is. He gives you 100 percent on ever play.”
The 2011 All-Region Team roster for Region 8-A includes:
Coach of the Year: Mark Farriba (Prince Avenue)
Player of the Year: Rob Farriba (Prince Avenue)
Offensive Player of the Year: Cody Streetman (Commerce)
Defensive Player of the Year: Tyler Parrish (Prince Avenue)
All Region Defensive Team
Defensive Line: Chad Howell (George Walton), James Shirley (Prince Avenue), Jordan Pickeral (Athens Christian), Charlie Newcomer (Athens Academy), Mason Johnson (George Walton) and Wes Bridgham (Prince Avenue).
Defensive Ends: Adrian London (Athens Christian), Marlan Edwards (Riverside Military), Chance McClure (Commerce) and Travis Clark (Prince Avenue).
Linebackers: Taylor Hardigree (Athens Christian), Kyle McCaleb (Social Circle), Josh Swistak (Commerce), Justin Sperin (George Walton), Sam Kennon (Prince Avenue), Christain Payne (Prince Avenue), John-Mark MacFarlane (Riverside Military) and Mason Mallory (Athens Academy).
Defensive Backs: Avery Ebanks (Riverside Military), Caleb Shealy (Athens Christian), Matt Corder (George Walton), Jones Farriba (Prince Avenue) and Forrest Liedberg (Athens Academy).
All Region Offensive Team
Offensive Line: Hunter Reynolds (Athens Christian), Coleman Lowenthal (Riverside Military) and Ean Carbanash (Riverside Military), Micah Eason (Commerce), Carter Patton (Prince Avenue), Josh Grider (Prince Avenue), Ian Parvin-Asher (Riverside Military) and Jason Shivar (Prince Avenue).
Tight Ends: Patrick Stewart (George Walton), Victor Salcido (Riverside Military), Bobby Marshburn (Athens Academy)
Quarterbacks: Hunter Rice (George Walton), Carl Maddox (Prince Avenue), Zack Resop (Athens Christian).
Runningbacks: Nick Waters (George Walton), Taylor Allen (Athens Academy), Bryce Huff (Prince Avenue), Hayden Lewis (Prince Avenue), Milton Harrison (Social Circle).
Wide Receivers: Garrett Wilson (Commerce), Levi Cummings (Athens Christian).
Special Team Honors
Punter: Lake Lindsey (Athens Academy)
Kicker: Michael Santamaria (Athens Academy), Tanner Preston (Social Circle)
Returner: Jordan Lawson (Athens Academy)
Special Honors:
All Academic: Harrison Summerour (Riverside Military), Clay Pritchett (Commerce), Daniel Howell (Prince Avenue), Tanner Preston (Social Circle),Matt Berens (George Walton), Blake Hart (Athens Christian),
Jordan Lill (Social Circle), John Braucher (Athens Academy), Adam Hayden (Prince Avenue), Blake Calloway (Athens Academy)
Rudy: Zack Graham (Prince Avenue), Blake Hart (Athens Christian), Winn Hart (Athens Academy), Ryan Madsen (Social Circle), Dillion Haggard (Commerce)
