ORANGEBURG, SC – SC State football players received their 2011 superlative awards and were also among 30 Palmetto State players recognized as All-State by the Orangeburg Touchdown Club (OTC) during the group's annual banquet Monday (Jan. 16) at The Cinema.
Ray Tanner, longtime head baseball coach at the University of South Carolina, who guided the Gamecocks to back-to-back College World Series titles in 2010 and 2011, was guest speaker.
Four of the team's top eleven (11) awards were claimed by seniors. Dominique Ellis of Atlanta was named the top defensive back, Donovan Richard of Georgetown, the top linebacker, Ronell Ferguson of Lincolnton, Ga. the top defensive lineman, and Juavahr Nathan of Ladson, offensive MVP.
Other superlative award winners were sophomore LB Joe Thomas of Blackville, defensive MVP; sophomore Caleb Davis of Quinby, top receiver; junior Asheton Jordan of Summerville, top running back; junior Sam Hammond of Union, top offensive lineman; junior LB Cortney Ingram of Milledgeville, Ga., outstanding special teams player; freshman OL Devin Flowers of Charlotte, NC, top offensive newcomer; and r-freshman DB Steven Murphy of Kingsland, Ga., top defensive newcomer.
SC State head coach Buddy 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' seven victories.
Three Bulldogs were among the 31 players named to the All-State team as selected by the Orangeburg Touchdown Club. SC State players earning the recognition were Ellis, Richard and defensive lineman Pat Washington. The three were also first-team All-MEAC selections. Also recognized for second-team All-MEAC accolades were senior DB Christian Thompson and Jordan.
The List of Superlative Award Winners:
Top Running Back: Asheton Jordan, Jr., Summerville, SC
Outstanding Defensive Back: Dominique Ellis, Sr., Atlanlta
Outstanding Receiver: Caleb Davis, So., Quinby, SC
Best Offensive Lineman: Sam Hammond, Jr., Union, SC
Outstanding Defensive Lineman: Ronell Ferguson, Sr., Lincolnton, GA
Outstanding Linebacker: Donovan Richard, Jr., Georgetown, SC
Offensive MVP: OL Juavahr Nathan, Sr., Ladson, SC
Defensive MVP: LB Joe Thomas, So., Blackville, SC
Special Teams MVP: LB Cortney Ingram, Jr., Milledgeville, GA
Top Offensive Newcomer: OL Devin Flowers, Fr., Charlotte, NC
Top Defensive Newcomer: BD Steven Murphy, r-Fr., Kingsland, Ga.
