December 13, 1999|By LEM SATTERFIELD
Player of the Year
Starrett Esworthy, Gilman
The junior linebacker is the second consecutive Gilman player to earn Defensive Player of the Year honors. Esworthy, 6 feet and 218 pounds, bench-presses 365 pounds and squats 525. The Carroll Countian led the Greyhounds in tackles with 78, including six for losses, was second with eight sacks, caused two fumbles and recovered two fumbles. The B-plus student runs a 4.7-second 40-yard dash, and already has attracted interest from Stanford, Northwestern, Michigan State, Syracuse and Maryland, Gilman coach Biff Poggi said. Esworthy was the defensive leader for a team which allowed only 3.3 points per game and shut out five opponents. "Starrett was always responsible for shifting our line, which we did an awful lot, and also for [calling] the blitzes that we wanted to get into against the different formations," said defensive coordinator Stan White.
Jon Berrier,
St. Paul's
Berrier excelled both defensively, as a nose guard and linebacker, and offensively, as a lineman, to help the Crusaders to their second straight runner-up finish in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association B Conference. An All-Metro second-team pick last season, the 6-1, 240-pound senior averaged over 15 tackles a game. Berrier bench-presses 365 pounds and squats 645, his power allowing him to punish opposing offensive players and to clear the way for his offensive teammates. He made 123 solo tackles, 17 for losses, with 30 assists and six sacks. He is Harvard's top defensive recruit, and also has attracted interest from Yale, Princeton and William and Mary.
Darryl Dorsey,
Dunbar
Dorsey excelled in a variety of ways for the Poets, co-champions of the Baltimore City East Division. As a defensive back, the slender senior (6-1, 170) returned three of eight interceptions for touchdowns. Three of his interceptions ended a game. Dorsey also returned two of five fumble recoveries for scores. Also a wide receiver, Dorsey often drew double coverage. Still, he finished with nearly 3,500 all-purpose yards and 17 touchdowns, including 1,813 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Dorsey also returned three punts for touchdowns and three kickoffs for scores. Also a basketball player, he has received interest from Maryland, North Carolina, Temple and Florida State.
Gerald Smith,
Howard
The Penn State-bound Smith was named Howard County Defensive Player of the Year, and his effort against Oakland Mills exemplified how deserving he was of the honor. The senior's goal-line tackle against Oakland Mills' J.T. Rembert was one of the hardest hits of the season and saved that game and Howard's county title. Hampered by injuries much of the season, Smith still managed 73 tackles, including 50 solo, and had one interception. He rushed for 900 yards and 10 touchdowns. Smith, an All-Metro second-team selection last season, had eye-popping career numbers as a running back. Smith rushed for 3,681 yards and 52 touchdowns on 560 carries. He scored 318 points.
Mykle Bouie,
Randallstown
A junior, the 6-2, 230-pound linebacker already is an imposing figure in the middle of the Rams' defense. The focal point on the scouting reports of many an opposing coach, Bouie is a two-year starter at middle linebacker for Randallstown and has helped the Rams to two consecutive berths in the state semifinals. Blessed with excellent power and speed, Bouie ranked second on the team with 135 tackles (75 solo) and five sacks. He rebounded from an early-season wrist injury to return to his typical form as an effective run-stopper. An All-Metro second-team pick last season, Bouie runs a 4.6-second 40-yard dash and will likely blossom into one of the state's top college recruits.
C.J. Feldheim,
Hereford
The 6-4, 230-pound repeat All-Metro first-team selection ranks 65th nationally among defensive end prospects. His 14 sacks were two more than he had last season, and he had 15 other tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Feldheim was third on his team with 66 tackles and recovered three fumbles. All of that came before his season ended in the Bulls' ninth game because of a broken leg. As a running back, he had 800 yards and 13 touchdowns. An A student, the senior can become Hereford's first Division I recruit. He runs a 4.5-second 40-yard dash, bench-presses more than 300 pounds and has several full scholarship offers, including one from Maryland.
Hugh Green,
Gilman
