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Sardis’ Pee finalist for 4A Back of the Year

By Chris McCarthy/Editor, Paul Beaudry/For ASWA

At least on an individual level, Toby Pee has gone where no Sardis High School football player has gone before.

Last week, the Lion senior was named a finalist for the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s Class 4A Back of the Year award for the 2012 season.

The honor came on the heels of Pee’s selection as first-team Class 4A All-State running back.

Pee, who was a Class 3A first-team All-State selection in 2011, produced arguably the best all-round season by any running back in any of the six classification in compiling 2,424 yards and 39 touchdowns from scrimmage. The 6’0, 180 pound halfback rushed for 1,829 yards and 31 TDs and caught 46 passes for 595 yards and six scores in helping the Lions to a 6-4 record and a berth in the state playoffs.

Pee finished his three-year varsity career with an eye-popping 6,898 yards and 88 touchdowns from scrimmage – 5,494 rushing with 66 TDs, 1,381 receiving with 22 touchdowns and 23 passing with five TDs.

Pee is both a two-time region and Etowah County MVP and was The Messenger’s 2011 Player of the Year. 

Sardis head football Gene Hill pointed out that Pee’s stellar numbers were not earned by talent alone.

“He’s probably the second or third-hardest worker that I’ve ever coached, with [former Etowah High, Auburn University and National Football League standout] Carnell Williams as No. 1 and [former Etowah High and University of Alabama player] Ed Scissum as No. 2. That’s saying a lot considering how many outstanding football players I’ve had over the years. 

“You don’t see kids very often who go full speed in everything they do, and Toby’s one of those rare kids who does that. We came to expect a 200-yard [rushing] from him every week, and come Friday night, he never let us down. Most people who know about high school football around the state know the name of Toby Pee, so he helped put our football program on the map and opened the door in recruiting for some of our other kids.”

With all of Pee’s athletic accomplishments and his solid academic standing (he scored an 18 on his ACT), Hill does not understand why more colleges aren’t beating down the door to the Sardis field house to secure Pee’s services.

“I’m as confused as anybody about the lack of recruitment). I can’t understand it. He has some offers from the smaller schools, and Jacksonville State showed interest, but that was before Coach [Jack] Crowe left, so I don’t know where we stand with them at this point.”

Hill is convinced, however, that Pee will play on Saturday afternoons somewhere. 

“It’s not like he’s locked into one position; Toby’s an athlete who can do a whole lot of things,” said Hill. “If he doesn’t play halfback, he can return kicks or punts. If it comes to it, I don’t doubt that he can slide over and be a great defensive player. He’s a legitimate 4.6 guy (in the 40-yard dash). So he’s not going to be the fastest guy out there a lot of times, but he’s going to make up for that in effort. I challenge any college coach who watches Toby’s highlight film to find any time that he’s been caught from behind.”

The ASWA selects three finalists for backs and linemen in each of the six classes in the Alabama High School Athletic Association, as well as all teams in the Alabama Independent Schools Association.

The finalists were voted on earlier this month at the ASWA’s all-state meeting by a panel of high school writers from around the state. Winners in each class – as well as the Mr. Football Award – will be announced at the ASWA’s annual Player of the Year banquet on Jan. 16 in Montgomery. The event is sponsored by the Alabama High School Athletic Directors and Coaches Association.

The finalists are:

CLASS 6A

BACK

Jeremy Johnson, Carver-Montgomery, Sr., QB, 6-6, 219

Racean Thomas, Oxford, Jr., RB, 6-0, 200

Marquez White, Northview, Sr., DB, 6-1, 173

LINEMAN

Reuben Foster, Auburn, Sr., LB, 6-2, 235

Austin Golson, Prattville, Sr., OL, 6-5, 285

Grant Hill, Huntsville, Sr., OL, 6-6, 290

CLASS 5A

BACK

Johnny Cook, Spanish Fort, Sr., DB, 6-0, 185

Tyler Jackson, Muscle Shoals, Sr., RB, 5-10, 150

Joel Poe, Spanish Fort, Sr., QB, 6-1, 200

LINEMAN

Zach Cunningham, Pinson Valley, Sr., LB, 6-4, 200

Jordan Sims, Homewood, Jr., OL, 6-4, 330

Tre Williams, St. Paul’s, Jr., LB, 6-2, 220

CLASS 4A

BACK

Jordan Chunn, Madison County, Sr., RB, 6-0, 210.

Toby Pee, Sardis, Sr., RB, 5-11, 180

Alvin Scott, Oneonta, Sr., WR, 6-3, 190

LINEMAN

Blake Bean, Oneonta, Jr., DL, 6-3, 240

Ronnie Clark, Calera, Jr., Ath., 6-3, 210

Rod Crayton, Dadeville, Sr., DL, 6-0, 280

CLASS 3A

BAC

Courtney Foy, Midfield, Sr., Ath., 5-11, 175

Kerryon Johnson, Madison Academy, So., RB, 6-1, 195

JaTevin Madison, Fayette County, Jr., WR, 5-10, 150

LINEMAN

Torrandine Harris, Midfield, Sr., DL, 6-1, 240

Jamarious Henderson, Dale County, So., LB, 6-0, 210

Jamie Major, Piedmont, Sr., LB, 6-2, 225

CLASS 2A

BACK

Tyler Rogers, Mobile Christian, Jr., RB, 5-11, 185

ArDarius Stewart, Fultondale, Sr., QB, 6-1, 195

Tywone Stewart, Reeltown, Sr., RB, 5-8, 170

LINEMAN

DeMarcus Holcombe, Washington County, Jr., LB, 6-1, 213

Jestavia Norris, Reeltown, Sr., DL, 6-1, 210

Fred Rich, Tanner, Sr., LB, 6-2, 200

CLASS 1A

BACK

Rodney Camp, Phillips, Sr., QB, 6-2, 175

George Payne, St. Luke’s, Sr., RB, 5-11, 195

Ready Swanigan, Marion County, Jr., Ath., 5-10, 170

LINEMAN

Damien Davenport, McIntosh, Sr., LB, 6-2, 262

Taylor Driggers, Brantley, Sr., OL, 6-2, 255

Justin Lucas, Notasulga, Sr., LB, 5-9, 170

 

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