2A HONORS: Stars’ breakthrough season leads to postseason haul
Agassi Prep’s turnaround football season resulted in the program’s first winning campaign at the 11-man level and a berth in the Class 2A state semifinals.
It also produced a bevy of postseason awards.
The Stars (7-3) were rewarded for their breakthrough season when coaches recently voted on league honors. Senior running back DeVonn Porter was named Player of the Year, junior nose guard/offensive guard Adrian Huling took Lineman of the Year, and Colt Goodman shared Coach of the Year honors with Needles’ Steve Price.
“It’s especially satisfying because they come from your peers,” Goodman said of the awards. “We work real hard, and I love to see the fact that the (coaches) I have respect for and coach with appreciate how the program has improved.”
The Stars endured a 1-7 campaign in their first year in 2A in 2008 before improving to 3-5 in 2009. They finally reached state title contention in Porter’s senior season.
Porter rushed for 1,125 yards and 18 touchdowns, averaging 7.2 yards per carry. Goodman said Porter always had talent, but improved as a senior with his “vision and understanding of how to follow blockers.”
“He’s improved tenfold as a north-and-south runner,” Goodman said. “It couldn’t have come at a better time.”
The 6-foot-4-inch, 310-pound Huling was a force on both sides of the ball, and Goodman said he was at times nearly unblockable as a defensive lineman.
“He’s an athletic lineman, not just a body carrying space,” Goodman said. “He played to the whistle, but he would always go to the next level. That’s something coaches appreciate.”
Offensive Player of the Year went to Needles fullback Daric Courtwright, who led the Mustangs to three triple-overtime wins and the regular-season league title. The senior ran for seven touchdowns in a 63-62 triple-overtime win over Mountain View on Oct. 15.
White Pine middle linebacker Clay Mauro was named Defensive Player of the Year. The junior had 79 tackles and 8.5 sacks to help the Bobcats finish 3-6 after a combined 4-31 record in the four previous years.
Player of the Year–DeVonn Porter, Agassi Prep.
Offensive Player of the Year–Daric Courtwright, Needles.
Defensive Player of the Year–Clay Mauro, White Pine.
Lineman of the Year–Adrian Huling, Agassi Prep.
co-Coaches of the Year–Steve Price, Needles; Colt Goodman, Agassi Prep.