Traverse City Record-Eagle

Football

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November 24, 2008

4 local football players all-state

LBs Banktson, Bullough are top vote-getters

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Associated Press

Traverse City St. Francis junior Max Bullough and Frankfort senior Max Banktson were the top vote-getters among linebackers on the Associated Press Division 7-8 All-State football team announced today.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Bullough anchors a Gladiators defense that is limiting opponents to just nine points a game. St. Francis (12-1) plays Ubly (13-0) for the Division 7 state title Saturday morning. The Gladiators have allowed just 980 yards on the ground and are holding teams to less than 3 yards per carry. They'll be tested by an Ubly offense that has churned out 4,347 yards on the ground -- and has two rushers over 1,000 yards.

The 6-3, 225-pound Banktson is a repeat pick on the All-State team. He led the Panthers defensively, averaging almost 12 tackles a game. The Northwest Conference MVP started 47 games in his varsity career at linebacker and finished with nearly 600 tackles. Frankfort ended the season 11-2, losing to Crystal Falls 8-6 in Saturday's Division 8 semifinal.

St. Francis put two players on the first-team. In addition to Bullough, Joe Kerridge was selected as the punter. He's averaging 42.5 yards on 23 punts.

Central Lake junior Jared Danbert earned first-team honors as the all-purpose back. Danbert rushed for 1,385 yards and 21 touchdowns, caught 10 passes for 195 yards and four scores and returned four punts for touchdowns. On defense, he had 57 tackles and one interception. He was also Central Lake's punter, kicker and return specialist.

Grass Lake's Skyler Stoker, who rushed for 2,225 yards and 42 touchdowns, was named the Associated Press Division 7-8 Player of the Year by a statewide panel of 10 sports writers.

"He's something else," coach Randy Cole said. "I'd love to have another one of him. He was just a huge big-time player for us. We asked him to do a lot, and he delivered 99 percent of the time."

A 6-foot, 205-pound senior, Stoker led the Warriors deep into the playoffs each of his three years on the varsity team, including a trip to the Division 7 state finals his sophomore season.

He finished his career with 4,610 yards rushing and 74 touchdowns.

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  • Tuesday, December 29, 2009
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  • Friday, December 18, 2009
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    Dec 18, 2009 7:25 am 1 Photo
  • Monday, November 30, 2009
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    Nov 30, 2009 7:53 am 1 Photo
  • Senior gets first pop at holding trophy
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    Nov 30, 2009 7:51 am 1 Photo
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    Nov 30, 2009 7:50 am
  • Wednesday, November 25, 2009
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    Nov 25, 2009 9:35 pm
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    Nov 25, 2009 7:45 am 2 Photos
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    Continued ...
    Nov 25, 2009 7:45 am
  • Finals game to be shown at State

    Saturday morning's Division 7 state football championship game between unbeatens Traverse City St. Francis and Hudson will be shown live at the State Theatre.

    Continued ...
    Nov 25, 2009 7:45 am
  • Tuesday, November 24, 2009
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    Continued ...
    Nov 24, 2009 7:40 am 1 Photo
  • State football finals tickets available

    Tickets for the Division 7 state championship game between St. Francis and Hudson are available today. The game will be shown live at the State Theatre.

    Continued ...
    Nov 24, 2009 7:40 am
  • Sunday, November 22, 2009
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    Nov 22, 2009 7:05 am
  • Friday, November 20, 2009
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    Nov 20, 2009 7:30 am 2 Photos
  • Panthers look for different outcome vs. CFFP
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  • Wednesday, November 18, 2009
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    Nov 18, 2009 7:47 am
  • Monday, November 16, 2009
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    Continued ...
    Nov 16, 2009 8:00 am
  • Familiar foes for Glads, Panthers

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    Nov 16, 2009 8:00 am
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    Nov 16, 2009 6:20 am 1 Photo
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    Continued ...
    Nov 16, 2009 6:20 am