Allegany Campers Football: Welcome

600 WINS!

This year at Allegany, the football team will most likely achieve a major milestone as they attempt to win the 600 th football victory in school history.  The game should come in the later part of the season as the CAMPERS again take on an aggressive football schedule for 2009.

The CAMPERS are considered the most winning team in the state of Maryland high school football.  Although the teams of City College and Polytechnic in Baltimore have played much longer, there is no record of thier history to date.  Therefore, until proven otherwise, the Campers are the leaders with thier 593 wins to date.

With the talented team and players returning for this season, the CAMPERS have a very good chance to accomplish this feat this season and go even farther into the playoffs again for the 6th season in a row.

This is your chance to watch history this year at Greenway Avenue Stadium as the CAMPERS set out to get the record.  So fans, alumni, parents and all supporters, you have to be there to witness this major accomplishment and come out and cheer on the ALLEGANY CAMPERS FOR 2009. 

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - Coming off one of the most successful seasons in school history, William and Mary Head Football Coach Jimmye Laycock announced the College’s signing of 13 prep players to National Letters of Intent this afternoon. Also included in the Tribe’s incoming class is UNC transfer, quarterback Mike Paulus.

“We came into this off-season looking to improve in some specific areas, especially along the offensive and defensive fronts,” stated Laycock. “I think the staff did a tremendous job of addressing those needs, both on the front and in other areas. As we move forward, I anticipate this class will have the opportunity to contribute greatly to our future success.”

The incoming freshman class is comprised of players from five states along the east coast from North Carolina to New Jersey. In addition to five signees from Virginia, the class also includes players from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and North Carolina. The group consists of three defensive linemen, three offensive linemen, one quarterback, one linebacker, one kicker/punter and three wide receivers/defensive backs.

Additionally, the College previously announced the transfer of former high school All-America quarterback, Mike Paulus from the University of North Carolina. Paulus, a native of Syracuse, N.Y., came out of Christian Brothers Academy as one of the more heralded scholastic quarterbacks in the nation, and was ranked the No. 1 player in New York by SuperPrep and was the state's Gatorade Player of the Year. He is already enrolled at classes at William and Mary and will participate in spring practice. Paulus will have two seasons of eligibility for the Tribe.

After posting one of the best seasons in the program’s history in 2009, W&M will look to build upon that success during the upcoming campaign. The College will return 13 letter winners (seven offense/six defense) from last season’s team that equaled a school record with 11 wins, advanced to the NCAA Semifinals for the second time in the last six years and ranked as high as third in the final national polls.

W&M will open its season against a Colonial Athletic Association opponent for the second time in the last four years when it plays at Massachusetts on Sept. 4.

SIGNEE'S INCLUDE;

George Beerhalter, DL, 6-3, 250, Pittsburgh, Pa., Montour H.S.

Alex Berry, OL, 6-4, 275, Roanoke, Va., Cave Spring H.S.

John Carpenter, K/P, 6-1, 190, Cumberland, Md., Allegany H.S.

Jake Franklin, OL, 6-4, 263, New Bern, N.C., New Bern H.S.

Alex Goodman, LB, 6-0, 215, Fredericksburg, Va., Brooke Point H.S.

Baron Goodman, OL, 6-3, 284, Smithfield, Va., Nansemond-Suffolk Academy

Jordan King, WR/DB, 5-10, 185, Stafford, Va., Mountain View H.S.

Darnell Laws, RB, 5-11, 211, Sicklerville, N.J., St. Augustine Prep

Jesse McNeal III, WR/DB, 5-11, 170, Spotsylvania, Riverbend H.S.

Raphael Ortiz, QB, 6-2, 214, Rahway, N.J., St. Peter's Prep (Jersey City)

Mike Paulus, QB, 6-4, 215, Syracuse, N.Y., Christian Brothers Academy (NC)

Mike Reilly, DL, 6-4, 240, Old Tappan, N.J., Northern Valley Regional H.S.

Stephen Sinnott, DL, 6-3, 222, Lansdale, Pa., La Salle H.S.

Ivan Tagoe, DB/WR, 6-0, 203, Burtonsville, Md., Paint Branch H.S.

John Carpenter bio;

Prep: Three-year letterwinner for head coach Tom Preaskorn at Allegany H.S.

… Associated Press Consensus All-State First Team selection as a kicker in ’09

… Also earned first-team all-state honors from Rivals.com

… Chosen first-team all-area as a kicker and a punter as a senior

… Selected to play in the Maryland Crab Bowl and captained the D.C. team

… Connected on all eight of his field goal attempts with a long of 43 yards as a senior

… Also recorded 50 touchbacks, converted 60-of-64 extra-point attempts and averaged 40.3 yards per punt with a long of 57

… Chosen first-team all-state (small schools) and first-team all-area as a junior

… Was 6-of-9 on field goal attempts with a long of 48 yards, while converting 42-of-43 extra point attempts

… Registered 26 touchbacks

… Played varsity baseball for three years as a first baseman and a pitcher

… Served as a Cumberland Rotary Club Student Representative as a senior

… Volunteered with Net-Aid (a service organization) as both a junior and a senior

Personal: Son of Robert and Judith Carpenter, both of whom graduated from W&M in 1983 … Born on Dec. 15, 1991.

OTHER W&M NOTABLE FOOTBALL ALUMNI

Coaches

Mike Tomlin ('95) - Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach
Michael Clemons ('87) - Toronto Argonauts (CFL) Chief Executive Officer
Brian Daboll (Former Assistant Coach, 1997) - Cleveland Browns Off Coord
Mark Duffner ('75) - Jacksonville Jaguars Linebackers Coach
Ivan Fears ('76) - New England Patriots Running Backs Coach
Dan Henning ('64) - Miami Dolphins Offensive Coordinator
Hal Hunter - San Diego Chargers Offensive Line Coach
Marv Levy (Former head coach, 1964-68) – Former Buffalo Bills Head Coach
Sean McDermott ('98) - Philadelphia Eagles Defensive Coordinator
Kevin Rogers ('74) - Minnesota Vikings Quarterbacks Coach
Rip Scherer ('75) - Carolina Panthers Quarterbacks Coach
Danny Smith (Former Assistant Coach, 1980-83) - Redskins Special Teams
Alan Williams ('92) - Indianapolis Colts Defensive Backs Coach

Players

Derek Cox - Jacksonville Jaguars
Mike Leach ('00) - Arizona Cardinals
Rich Musinski - Scranton Wilkes-Barre Pioneers
Billy Parker ('04) - Montreal Alouettes (CFL)
Darren Sharper ('96) - New Orleans Saints

The "Big Blue Review" would like to congradulate John Carpenter on his selection of William and Mary to continue his education and football career.  You will be sorely missed on the Camper sidelines as we have become so reliant to your kicking skills and your almost "automatic" PAT's that we have become spoiled.

Good luck in Williamsburg...the birth place of this country with all its history and tradition.  The review will be following your career as I am sure I speak for the entire "Big Blue" contingent, good luck John and do us proud with the Tribe. 

As is its custom, the Dapper Dan Club of Allegany County will honor many of the area’s top athletes for a job well done during the club’s 62nd annual awards banquet Sunday, Jan. 31 at the Ali Ghan Shrine Club.

Among the numerous award recipients for the evening will be Frankfort head football coach Kevin Whiteman, the 2009 Coca-Cola Golden Helmet High School Football Coach of the Year.

Whiteman, in his second season as head coach at Frankfort, guided his alma matter to the semifinals of the West Virginia Class AA state playoffs, just missing out on a berth in the finals with a 27-21 loss to unbeaten Wayne.

The Falcons finished 11-2 and are now 17-6 after Whiteman’s first two seasons. A 1985 graduate of Frankfort and the quarterback of Frankfort’s final team under legendary head coach Jim Fazzalore, Whiteman was the Falcons’ offensive coordinator for 13 seasons, succeeding Mickey Lantz, who resigned in December 2007 after nine seasons as the Frankfort head coach.

“It means a lot me,” Whiteman said March 4, 2008 of his being hired as head coach. “I’ve been involved in the program for a long time. As a kid I went to Frankfort games, then went to school there and was a coach after that. I’ve been around Falcon football my whole life, and have thought about getting this job for a long time.”

The Falcon's had a wonderful season and the Big Blue Review would like to congradulate the Falcons and Head Coach Kevin Whiteman on thier success in 2009.

VERY DESERVING!

Mr. "Do Everything" voted

Player of the Year!

In a season that had many ups and downs, the Allegany Campers Football team prevailed through some tough games and a few hard times.  However, one thing that kept the "Big Blue" focused throughout the season was one outstanding player and that young man is Dustin Wharton.

Head coach Tom Preaskorn described Dustin Wharton as “the heart and soul” of the Allegany High School football team and the senior halfback and linebacker took it on his shoulders to carry the Campers one step further than most people expected in the Maryland Class 1A state playoffs.

A threat running the ball, catching passes and on special teams, Wharton led the area in all-purpose yardage with 2,256 yards for an average of 173.5 per game. He also was the area scoring leader with 27 touchdowns for a 142 points and 10.9 per game.

A first-team Times-News All-Area linebacker as a junior, the 6-foot, 197-pound senior also was the Campers’ leading tackler for the second straight year with a total of 139. He was named first-team All-State at linebacker.

In a poll of area coaches, Wharton was a near unanimous pick to be the 2009 Cumberland Times-News Area Player of the Year. He will receive his award at the 62nd annual Dapper Dan Awards Banquet on Jan. 31 at the Ali Ghan Shrine Club. The dinner will be served at 4 p.m. and the awards presentation will begin at 5 o’clock.

NOT ONLY A GOOD ATHLETE...BUT...

Also a standout in the classroom, Wharton was honored by the Progressive Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine Clinic as the Times-News Area High School Male Student-Athlete of the Month for December. He has a 3.7 grade-point average and is a member of the National Honor Society.

ALLEGANY'S LOSS WILL BE GEORGETOWN'S GAIN

Dustin’s older brother, Tyler, was the 2006 Area Player of the Year and is a fullback at Towson University. Recruited by a number of schools at different levels, Dustin has made a verbal commitment to continue his football career and education with a scholarship to Georgetown University. The Hoyas compete as an NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (Division I-AA) school in football and are members of the Patriot Conference along with Towson.

A VERY SPECIAL SEASON FOR WHARTON

“Dustin Wharton was the heart and soul of our football team,” said Preaskorn. “He worked extremely hard in the weight room in the off-season to get ready for his senior and set a great example for our other players.”

In the 13 games, Wharton rushed for 1,187 yards on 143 attempts for an 8.3 average. He ran for 18 touchdowns that included a long run of 87 yards.

As a sure-handed pass catcher, the senior halfback led the team in receptions with 26 for 527 yards and an average of 20.5 yards per catch. Seven of the receptions went for touchdowns.

On special teams, he returned 15 punts for 348 yards and seven kickoffs for 179 yards. Two of the punt returns went for touchdowns.

On defense, 20 of Wharton’s tackles resulted in losses. He also had six quarterback sacks and two fumble recoveries.

“Dustin played all over the field on offense, defense and special teams,” said Preaskorn. “Great kids make big plays in big games and he was able to do that. On offense he can run over you or around you with his strength and speed. He also made some very big tackles on defense for us, including the one that stopped a Fort Hill drive in the playoff game.”

1A WEST CHAMPIONSHIP HIS COMING OUT PARTY

Going into the West Region championship against Fort Hill, Allegany was considered by most to be a heavy underdog after being dominated by the Sentinels’ defense in a 17-7 loss in the Homecoming Game two weeks earlier. But Wharton and his teammates believed they would find a way to win and the triple-threat senior wasn’t ready for his high school career to end.

With Allegany trailing 14-0 in the closing seconds of the first half, Wharton took a short pass along the sidelines from quarterback Drew O’Neal with hopes of setting up a field-goal attempt. Instead of going out of bounds to stop the clock, he showed some fancy footwork and tackle-busting ability in going the 48 yards for the momentum-changing touchdown with only 3.1 seconds left.

Wharton also returned a punt 40 yards for the tying touchdown and in the biggest turnaround in the long series Allegany rolled to a 35-14 victory. The Campers then suffered a tough season-ending 20-13 loss at Joppatowne to finish with a 9-4 record.

When people weren’t giving Allegany much respect, Wharton said he took it personally.

“As a senior I always wanted to give it all I had,” said Wharton. “I’m not much of a talker and I like to let my actions on the field do the talking. I do try to do what I can to keep everybody’s head in the game.”

RESPECT IS ALL WE WANTED!

Allegany suffered a couple of tough losses to Keyser 28-25 and to St. Albans 36-35 in overtime before falling to Fort Hill on Homecoming.

“After the losses we had to do something to get some respect,” said Wharton about the second meeting with Fort Hill. “We were down but we kept believing we could win and never gave up. We were able to change the momentum and it was an awesome game to be a part of.” 

Well Camper fans, if respect is all Mr. Wharton wanted...then he surely set the standard by leading the talented Campers to a somewhat surprizing 2009 season.  When the team seemed to be down or missing a player, it was Wharton who always stepped up and made the differents and held the team together.  Dustin was part of the "Dynamic Duo" of Wharton and Hook...probably the two best running backs in the area.  If one couldn't get it done, the other picked up the slack.

From the "Big Blue Review," congratulations to Dustin and his family for this outstanding honor.  A well deserved honor I might add!  You will be sorely missed next season, but you have your entire life ahead of you to think about.  Best of luck at Georgetown.  Go down and show them how we play football in Western Maryland.  Thank you for all your dedication and talent throughout your stay at Campobello.

"MR. RELIABLE"

Fort Hill senior lineman

named second-team all-state,

defensive POY of Homecoming

From:  Cumberland Times News Reports

From the Big Blue Review, congratulations to all the local football players and their selection to the 2009 Maryland All State Small School team.

YOU WANT TO SUPPORT

ALLEGANY CAMPERS FOOTBALL...

ITS EASY!

CHECK OUT THE GRID IRON WEB SITE AT;

www.alleganygridironclub.com

Click on the headline above for access to the site. 

The Allegany High School Grid Iron Club supports the activities of the Campers Football program by selling items at the Grid Iron Booth at Greenway Avenue stadium, sell lottery tickets at the games as well as the weekly programs you buy before each home game.

During all the home games, the Grid Iron has given away T-shirts and Homecoming 2005 blankets to those lucky people who simply buy a program and have the correct markings on the selected page in those programs.  These are just a few things that the Grid Iron Club does for the team.

If you would like to see the vast array of items the Grid Iron sells at the booth at Greenway, you can simply look to the left hand side of this screen and click on the Grid Iron Products section and see what all they have.  You will be surprised as to all the different items of spirit and motivational items the club carries for all Camper Fans. 

You can buy them at the stadium of course, it is so easy you'll come back often.

SO....YOU WANT TO SUPPORT ALLEGANY FOOTBALL...THIS IS IT!

A very important thing for all those who need to know, the Allegany High School Grid Iron Club supports the activities of the football team.  Items like end of season jackets, championship rings, supplying food after home games and providing funds for away game dinners.  Purchasing the "Big A" at the stadium, the 25 second time clocks at the stadium and the team run through tunnel of a few years ago.  Also, the Grid Iron is solely responsible for the football programs that we all enjoy at the stadium each and every week at Greenway and they help purchase necessary equipment when needed.  That is just a few items of interest.  So you can see how vitally important this club is to the school and team. 

An even more important item to remember is that all funds collected during the season and after the season by the Grid Iron Club, goes directly back to support the football program at Allegany High School.

So, you want to help.  That is easy.  The Grid Iron Club always needs volunteers to help out with selling programs, in the booth or just simply help out the club when needed.  At $5.00 a year dues, you can't go wrong by helping out one of, if not the finest high school football program in the state of Maryland.

SO COME ON OUT AND GIVE THEM A HAND...

YOU WON'T REGRET IT!