HCV's All-County Team

Quarterback: Peter Ramanand, Senior, North Bergen

Whether it was with his arm or legs, Ramanand was a nightmare for defenses. He led the 8-3 Bruins in rushing with 1,156 yards and 14 touchdowns on 154 carries. He threw for 1,268 yards and 13 TDs on 71-for-132 passing. In the state playoffs against Passaic County Tech, Ramanand tossed two touchdowns and ran for two scores.

*2009 HCV All-County Team Selection (Kick Returner)

Running Back: Eddie Delgado, Senior, Secaucus

With his combination of power and speed, this senior proved more than capable of shouldering the load of the Patriots’ running game. Delgado averaged 7.8 yard per carry as he totaled 1,291 yards and 12 touchdowns. He eclipsed the 100-yard barrier seven times, including 255 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Glen Rock.

Running Back: Savon Huggins, Senior, St. Peter's Prep

Arguably the best RB in St. Peter's Prep history, Huggins rushed for 1,885 yards and 35 touchdowns and was selected as New Jersey’s Gatorade Player of the Year. He had 276 yards and four TDs in a playoff win vs Notre Dame, 267 yards and three TDs against North Bergen and will play in the Under Armour All-American Game.

Sparkman was the go-to guy in the Friars’ multi-back attack, rushing for a team-high 18 touchdowns (four vs Hoboken) and 687 yards. But the senior, truly made a name for himself at linebacker where he made 75 tackles. The HCIAL White Division’s Defensive Player of the Year, Sparkman had two interceptions and two forced fumbles.

Running Back: Tyron Stevens, Senior, Lincoln

Few players in the state found the end zone with the regularity of Stevens. The senior, who leaves Lincoln with virtually every major rushing record, scored 22 touchdowns for the Lions. Five of those touchdowns came in a win over Hanover Park. Stevens finished with 1,444 yards rushing including 161 in the playoffs against Glen Ridge.

Wide Receiver: Deshawn Goodwin, Senior, Lincoln

A true “slash” player, Goodwin thrived at muliple positions, totaling over 1,000 all-purpose yards and 11 touchdowns. The senior had 248 yards rushing in the playoffs, including a team-best 105 in the finals vs New Providence. Goodwin had rushing and receiving TDs in the semifinals vs Dayton. He led Lincoln with four TD catches.

Wide Receiver: Justin Glennon, Senior, North Bergen

Tight End: Rahim Douelfakar, Senior, Harrison

Blessed with the size of a tight end with the speed of a receiver, Douelfakar was a matchup nightmare for opponents. The senior’s 44 receptions and 690 yards led the county. Douelfakar caught seven TD passes, two of them against New Millford. More than just a pass threat, he had 69 tackles and returned a kickoff for a touchdown.

Offensive Line: Robenson Beneche, Senior, St. Anthony

Beneche led a St. Anthony offensive line which went from being a weak link to a strength this season. He helped anchor the line for an offense which averaged more than 40 points per game. A two-year starter at guard, Beneche was selected as the HCIAL White Division Offensive Lineman of the Year. On defense, Beneche had 30 tackles.

Offensive Line:Nick Gjoni, Senior, Secaucus

At 6-foot-5 and 290 pounds, Gjoni was a monster at left tackle and paved the way for a Secaucus team which rushed for more than 2,800 yards. A HCV All-County selection a year ago, Gjoni added 54 tackles and six sacks, two coming in a win over Glen Rock. Temple, Pace and William & Mary are among the schools interested.

Offensive Line: Dane Longa, Senior, St. Peter's Prep

Whether it was on offense or defense, Longa was a steady presence on the line for Prep. Selected as Offensive Lineman of the Year in the HCIAL Red Division, the left guard was the most consistent lineman for the Marauders. A HCV All-County selection at defensive line a year ago, Longa had 41 tackles and two sacks as a defensive end.

Offensive Line: Keith Lumpkin, Senior, St. Peter's Prep

Maybe the most intimidating player in New Jersey, Lumpkin helped anchor the Marauder line at left tackle. A two-time HCV All-County selection, the Rutgers-bound Lumpkin paved the way for Prep’s lethal rushing attack. Lumpkin, who is considered one of the top prospects in the state, will play in the Chesapeake Bowl on Dec. 30.

Offensive Line: Darius Roper, Sophomore, St. Anthony

Roper emerged as one of the area’s premier linemen on both sides of the ball. He played left guard on an offense which averaged more than 40 points per game. But it was on the defensive end where he truly made his mark, with 12 sacks and 50 tackles for the Friars. Roper had two sacks vs Lincoln and five multi-sack games on the season.

Kicker: Kevin Cosgrove, Senior, St. Peter's Prep

Cosgrove improved his kick accuracy in his senior season, booting 56 extra points and two field goals for St. Peter's Prep. No kicker in the county could match his leg strength as evidenced by a 41-yard field goal against St. Joseph of Montvale. Cosgrove forced many touchbacks on kickoff coverage and was also the Marauders' punter.

Kick Returner: Damian Corredor, Sophomore, Weehawken

Corredor was an electrifying performer for the Indians. He had 21 (12 passing, eight rushing) touchdowns and 2,377 all-purpose yards. In a win over Palisades Park/Leonia, Corredor had an 85-yard TD on the opening kick, threw a TD pass and rushed for a score in a 392-yard performance. He also intercepted two passes on defense.

Defensive Line: Isaac Flores, Senior, Union City

An anchor on the defensive line, Flores often wreaked havoc in the opposing backfield. The senior recorded seven sacks on the year, two of them against North Bergen and two in the playoffs vs top-seeded West Orange. He also had 12 tackles for loss and 83 tackles overall. On offense, Flores started at right guard for Union City.

Defensive Line: James Fox, Senior, St. Peter's Prep

Maybe the most feared hitter in Hudson County, Fox terrorized opposing quarterbacks. The senior, selected as “Defensive Lineman of the Year” in the HCIAL National division finished with 14 sacks, including 2.5 against St. Joseph Montvale. Fox, who will be attending Harvard next year, added 56 tackles and seven tackles for loss.

Defensive Line: Michael Mentor, Senior, North Bergen

Defensive Line Marquise Watson Sophomore St. Peter's Prep

Just a sophomore, Watson wreaked havoc in the middle of the Marauders’ 3-4 defensive attack which allowed less than 10 points per game. He posted 54 tackles (seven for loss) including eight in a win over Memorial. The 5-foot-10, 245-pound Watson showed an ability to get to the quarterback as evidenced by his six sacks.

Linebacker: Vin Ascolese, Junior, North Bergen

A feared blitzer from the outside, Ascolese anchored the Bruins' run defense. The junior had 91 tackles on the season, 15 of them for a loss. Ascolese added five sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception. He will participate in the Army All-American Combine and is one of the state's top LB prospects for the class of 2012.

*2009 HCV All-County Team Selection (Defensive Back)

Linebacker: Edgardo Ayala, Senior, Union City

A team captain, Ayala quarterbacked the Soaring Eagles’ defense at middle linebacker. He finished with a team-high 101 tackles, 16 of them for loss. Ayala added four sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception. On offense, the fullback excelled in short-yardage situations as he posted 418 yards and six touchdowns on 67 carries.

Linebacker: Edwin Celestin, Senior, Lincoln

The heart and soul of Lincoln’s defense, Celestin led the Lions in tackles (70), sacks (eight) and fumble recoveries (four). One of just two returning starters on a defense which posted two shutouts, Celestin returned an interception 21 yards for a touchdown in the opener against Ferris. He also returned a fumble for a score.

Linebacker: James Lancellotti, Senior, St. Peter's Prep

Despite having two new inside linebackers, the play of Lancellotti and Dan Lesce eased any concerns the Marauders had. Lancellotti, the HCIAL Red Division’s Defensive Player of the Year, led St. Peter's Prep with 93 tackles, 15 of them coming against St. Joseph of Montvale. He had three sacks, a fumble recovery and an interception.

Linebacker: Dan Lesce, Senior, St. Peter's Prep

Despite having two new inside linebackers, the play of Lesce and James Lancellotti eased any concerns the Marauders had. Lesce had 81 tackles, five sacks and showed a knack for the big play. He had two defensive touchdowns, including a 50-yard fumble recovery to preserve a win over North Bergen. Lesce had 12 tackles in the game.

Defensive Back: Ronald Butler, Senior, Lincoln

Teams rarely dared to throw at him as he had 28 tackles and an interception while facing the other team’s top receiver. On offense, Butler thrived at quarterback, throwing for 1,284 yards and 16 touchdowns, and rushing for 928 yards and 13 TDs. A true game-breaker, he had 200 yards rushing and passing against Hoboken.

Defensive Back: David Coleman, Senior, St. Anthony

Coleman once again established himself as one the County’s premier cover guys. The senior intercepted three passes, returning two of them for touchdowns in wins over Memorial and Marist. He returned a kickoff 90 yards for a score against Newark Academy. On offense, Coleman rushed for 652 yards and six touchdowns for the Friars.

Defensive Back: Steve Le, Junior, Union City

Le’s ability to excel in all aspects was personified in the playoffs vs West Orange. He had 103 yards rushing, 49 receiving and a pair of interceptions, in the 19-14 win. At safety, the junior had 70 tackles, four sacks, three interceptions and three forced fumbles. At RB, Le rushed for 1,081 yards and 12 TDs and added 413 yards receiving.

Defensive Back: Sheldon Royster, Senior,St. Peter's Prep

One of the state's premier talents, Royster overcame early-season injuries to finish with 26 tackles, seven in a win over North Bergen. A dangerous returner, he took a punt for a TD against St. Joseph’s Prep. Rutgers and South Carolina are among the colleges interested in him. Royster will play in the Chesapeake Bowl on Dec. 30.

Punter: Matt Traynor, Senior, Secaucus

Traynor averaged more than 38 yards per punt, just one of many tasks this senior had. Between running back, receiver, kick returner and even quarterback, he totaled 1,646 all-purpose yards, scored 14 touchdowns and passed for three more. In his first career start at QB he threw for 140 yards and a TD to defeat then 8-0 Cresskill 24-7.

Punt Returner: Delquan Groomes, Senior, Hoboken

Quite simply the most dangerous return man in the county, Groomes returned a pair of punts for touchdowns in a win over Ferris. He also returned the opening kickoff 90 yards for a score vs Cedar Grove. More than just a return threat, Groomes had two TD catches against St. Anthony and two TD runs in the playoffs vs New Providence.