ORANGEBURG, SC – Seniors dominated the South Carolina State football awards presented Monday (Feb. 8) during the Orangeburg Touchdown Club’s annual banquet, which also recognized an All-State Football Team and had University of South Carolina associate head coach and defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson as guest speaker at The Cinema.
Eleven of the Bulldog superlative awards were claimed by seniors. Earning offensive accolades were Will Ford, as the top offensive back; Terrance Smith as the outstanding receiver and Oliver (Tre’) Young as the offensive MVP. Also honored were junior Johnny Culbreath as the top lineman and sophomore Chris Massey as the top newcomer.
Seniors earning defensive awards were Rafael Bush as the defensive MVP, Marcus James as the top defensive end; Markee Hamlin as the top safety and Phillip Adams as the top cornerback. Also receiving defensive accolades were sophomore Ronell Ferguson as the top defensive tackle and junior Julius Wilkerson as the top linebacker.
Ford completed his Bulldog career as the Bulldog and MEAC rushing leading with 4,672 yards. Twice, he earned All-America honors and was a finalist for the prestigious Walter Payton award, presented annually to the best offensive player in the Football Championship Subdivision. He rushed for 1,032 yards and eight touchdowns in 2009.
Young led SC State and the MEAC in rushing with 65 catches for 995 yards and nine scores; Culbreath was the MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Year and earned All-America honors; Terrance Smith was second on the team in catches with 40 for 542 yards and four touchdowns; and Massey, inserted at wide receiver late in the season, had 11 catches for 108 yards and a score and also contributed on special teams.
Defensively, Bush, Hamlin and Adams were second, third and fourth, respectively, in tackles for the Bulldogs and combined for eight interceptions, four of which were returned for touchdowns. Adams and Bush earned All-MEAC honors, while Wilkerson was second only to linebacker David Erby – an SBNAll-American -- in tackles with 66 and tied for the lead in tackles for loss with eight, while James was one of the top performers on the Bulldog defensive line and earned second-team All-MEAC recognition.
Pough and his staff also recognized the SC State seniors and presented game balls to an offensive and defensive player for each of the Bulldogs’ 10 victories.
Seven Bulldogs were among the 26 players named to the All-State team as selected by the Orangeburg Touchdown Club. SC State players earning the recognition were quarterback Malcolm Long, Ford at running back, Young at wide receiver, and Culbreath on the offensive line and place kicker Blake Erickson on offense. The defense included Erby at linebacker and Adams at defensive back.
The Bulldogs’ Pough and retired SC State head football coach Willie Jeffries received special recognition awards by the Touchdown Club, as did Times and Democrat publisher Cathy Hughes, all founders of the club eight years ago.
The entire list of Bulldogs receiving superlative awards is below:
Outstanding Offensive Back: Will Ford, Sr., Travelers Rest, SC
Outstanding Cornerback: Phillip Adams, Sr., Rock Hill, SC
Outstanding Safety: Markee Hamlin, Sr., Lamar, SC
Outstanding Receiver: Terrance Smith, Sr., Aiken, SC
Best Offensive Lineman: Johnny Culbreath,, Jr., Monroe, GA
Outstanding Defensive Tackle: Ronell Ferguson, Soph., Lincolnton, GA, Sr.,
Outstanding Defensive End: Markus James, Sr., Hampton, VA
Outstanding Linebacker: Julius Wilkerson, Jr., Gaffney, SC
Top Newcomer: RB/WR Chris Massey, Soph., Cheraw,SC
Offensive MVP: WR Oliver (Tre’) Young, Sr., Charleston, SC
Defensive MVP: S Rafael Bush, Sr., Williston, SC