PN-G's Harmon, Dunbar selected Smith finalists

Published January 07, 2010 09:11 pm
By Cody Pastorella
The Port Arthur News

BEAUMONT — Port Arthur News Super Teamers and Port Neches-Groves Indians' Dre Dunbar and Caleb Harmon were named as Willie Ray Smith award finalists Thursday evening at the Elegante Hotel. The Smith awards have been presented to the area's best offensive and defensive players since 1992.

Only former quarterback Dustin Long has won the prestigious honor from PN-G.

Dunbar, an all-state honorable mention selection, could be the first defensive player to win the award for PN-G. Dunbar will have to beat out West Brook linebacker Collin Garrett, Central linebacker Jocobe Hale, Kirbyville's JaMichael Ervine and Lumberton's Anthony Beard.

The other offensive finalists are junior running back LaFrederick Ford of Kirbyville, junior quarterback Bruce Reyes and Silsbee's senior quarterback Jeremy Johnson, a three-year dual threat starter who has committed to attend West Virginia.

Harmon's eye-popping stats, which include 1,840 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns, may not be enough to tackle Ford who helped the Wildcats to a second straight Class 2A finish as state runner up. The junior tailback produced 2,567 yards on the ground and accumulated 35 touchdowns on the season.

Harmon did, however, help the Tribe to an 11-1 season that ended in the second round of the Class 4A state playoffs. It was the Indians first perfect regular season since 1977. Harmon also received all-state attention and was named the District 20-4A most valuable player.

Harmon's numbers were good enough to put him second on PN-G's all-time single-season rushing chart.

Not to be counted out, West Brook's 5-10, 165 pound Reyes wiggled and threw his way into the mix with 1,778 passing yards and 574 rushing yards to go along with 21 total touchdowns. Reyes ranked first in passing in District 21-5A and had a 58.8 completion percentage. His efforts eanred him the Port Arthur News Super Team MVP.

Meanwhile, Jeremy Johnson, the District 21-5A MVP, accumulated 1,957 passing yards and 691 rushing. He had 32 total touchdowns.

Defensively, Dunbar put together an outstanding senior season, compiling 65 tackles to go along with four interceptions and eight pass deflections from his defensive back position. He also engraved a handful of memorable moments into Indian fans this season.

Topping that list was his scoop and score for 95-yards after he picked up a blocked extra point. That play tied the ball game with Central with no time left, sending the contest into overtime where the Indians preserved a perfect season and an outright 20-4A title.

PN-G head coach Brandon Faircloth said he is more than excited for both his players. He said he is sad to see them exit his program but was proud of them and happy for their accomplishments as individuals.

"They are great kids both on and off the field," he explained. "I'm just proud for their families, for them, for who they are and how they are representing the school and program. It's going to be tough moving on without them. You can't replace guys like that, you just have to find a way to find a different version of them.

"They were the heart and soul of this team and they've provided the younger kids coming up with some big shoes to fill and they've set the bar for younger guys, showing this program what it means to be an Indian football player."

Both Dunbar and Harmon said they were honored just to be in the same room as the other finalists. Neither expected to be grouped with such company before the season started but both players said they were thrilled to have been part of such a gratifying final season.

Winners of the Smith awards will be announced at a dinner the night of Feb. 11 at the Elegante.

Source: http://www.panews.com/sports/local_story_007221232.html?start:int=0