South Hampton Roads Football Players Shine on All-State Teams

In a showcase of talent from the South Hampton Roads region, a quartet of standout football players from Landstown and Oscar Smith high schools were selected to the Group AAA All-State football team. Percy Harvin, a two-way standout for Landstown, was joined on the All-State first team by Damon McDaniel, Brian Whitmore, and Santonyo Jones. Harvin, who recently committed to play at the University of Florida, was denied a second consecutive All-State Player of the Year nod, which instead went to Oakton's Keith Payne.

Key Takeaways:

• Percy Harvin, a two-way standout for Landstown, was selected to the Group AAA All-State football team and accounted for 1,817 total yards and 33 touchdowns.
• Damon McDaniel, a senior receiver for Landstown, finished with 92 receptions for 1,574 yards and 26 total TDs.
• Brian Whitmore, a 6-4, 250-pound defensive lineman for Oscar Smith, played both ways and is regarded as one of the top defensive linemen on the East Coast.
• Santonyo Jones, a senior defensive back for Lake Taylor, had 10 interceptions, returning two of them for touchdowns.
• Keith Payne, a running back for Oakton, finished the season with 2,059 yards and 26 touchdowns, and was named the All-State Player of the Year.
• Phoebus' Brett Vinson and Matt Wright, Hampton quarterback Tyrod Taylor, and Granby's Chris Bell were also selected to the All-State first team.
• Thirteen South Hampton Roads players earned spots on the All-Group AAA second team, including Maury running back Deangelo Branche, Norcom wide receiver Ben Finney, and Granby's Chris Bell.
• Oakton defensive lineman Jared Ruppert and Oscar Smith wide receiver/defensive back Naron Sanderlin were also second-team picks.

Statistics:

• Percy Harvin accounted for 1,817 total yards and 33 touchdowns.
• Damon McDaniel finished with 92 receptions for 1,574 yards and 26 total TDs.
• Keith Payne rushed for a career-high 245 yards and four touchdowns in Oakton's 28-7 Division 6 state title game victory over Landstown.
• Oakton's Keith Payne finished the season with 2,059 yards and 26 touchdowns.
• Tyrod Taylor, a junior quarterback for Hampton, amassed over 2,500 total yards and 30 touchdowns.

Sources:

• "South Hampton Roads football players shine on all-state teams"

+ The Virginian-Pilot

+ Staff writer: Jami Frankenberry

+ Phone: (757) 446-2295

+ Email: jami.frankenberry@pilotonline.com