Havelock, Shelby Crest place two players on N.C. all-state high school football team

RALEIGH, N.C. -- State champion Havelock and finalist Shelby Crest each placed two players on The Associated Press all-state prep football team for 2011 in North Carolina.

Havelock receiver Pharoh Cooper and versatile threat Zach LaHaie led their school to the Class 3-A championship and an unbeaten season, while Crest defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard and defensive back Rhaheim Ledbetter – a Florida recruit – made the team after helping their school reach the 3-AA final. They were the only schools to have multiple AP all-state picks on the 27-player squad in voting results released Tuesday.

Two others players – Greensboro Page quarterback James Summers and Tarboro running back Todd Gurley II – also made the team after leading their schools to state championships. Summers is a North Carolina State recruit.

Charlotte Mallard Creek offensive lineman and Florida recruit D.J. Humphries was a unanimous pick on all 16 ballots from sports writers across the state to make the team for the second straight season. Western Guilford offensive lineman Brock Stadnik, a South Carolina recruit, also made the team for the second straight year.

Joining Summers and Gurley in the offensive backfield was Raleigh Millbrook running back and Georgia recruit Keith Marshall, while East Chapel Hill’s Alex Moore and Western Alamance’s B.J. Bunn joined Cooper at receiver. Charlotte Catholic’s Mark Harrell (Notre Dame recruit), South Mecklenburg’s Casey Blaser (Duke recruit) and Davie County’s Cole Blankenship joined Humphries and Stadnik on the offensive line, while South Granville’s Matthew Fuhr made the team at tight end.

Durham Hillside lineman Jamal Marcus had 14 votes to lead the all-state defense, joining Bullard, Forest City Chase’s Carlos Watkins and West Forsyth’s Alex McCalister in the front four.

Charlotte Vance’s Larenz Bryant, Charlotte Berry’s Nick Dawson and Matthews Butler’s Peter Kalambayi made the team at linebacker.

In the secondary, Morganton Freedom’s Marcus Kincaid, Hope Mills South View’s B.J. Fields and Indian Trail Porter Ridge’s Chris Duffy joined Ledbetter on the team.

For special teams, Charlotte Latin’s Paul Griggs was voted in at place-kicker, Northwest Cabarrus’ Bradley Pinion (Clemson recruit) was selected at punter and Greenville Rose’s Marquis Gorham made the team as a kick returner.