Sunday, February 9, 1997

Rhodes named offensive player of the year

BRYAN (AP) - Cooper running back Dominic Rhodes is the offensive player of the year on the 47th Annual Texas Sports Writers Association's Class 5A all-state football team.

The 5-foot-10, 195-pound Rhodes rushed for 2,188 yards on 323 carries with 25 TDs in leading the unranked Cougars to the Division II state championship game. Rhodes added 29 catches for 278 yards with four more scores. He accounted for 17 TDs in the playoffs.

Rhodes, who signed with Texas Tech this week, is also on the first team at kick-returner, where he returned 22 punts for 315 yards and 24 kickoff returns for 729 yards, scoring four times.

Joining Rhodes on the first team is teammate Matt Royals, a 6-2, 265-pound senior offensive guard.

The TSWA Class 5A team included 12 District 4-5A players. Midland Lee linebacker Fred Pertile and defensive backs John Norman and Antwan Alexander were also first-team selections, along with Odessa Permian punter Jimmy White.

Cooper quarterback Michael Anderson, Permian running back Ja'Quay Wilburn and San Angelo Central tight end Jared Whitson were named to the second team.

Wide receiver Miles Durham and offensive tackle Joey Heath were named to the third team, along with offensive tackle Jason May of Permian.

Tyler John Tyler defensive end David Warren is the defensive player of the year. Warren, who signed with Florida State, had 72 tackles and five sacks.

Lewisville, which won the Division I title, had center Kurt McBride and defensive lineman Dustin Grimes on the first team. The Farmers' Ronnie Gage is coach of the year.

Austin Westlake, which beat Cooper in the Division II title game, has quarterback Drew Brees, split end Ryan Read and offensive tackle Seth McKinney on the first team.