Southeast Missourian all-star football team defense

DL -- Adrian Wren, Central

Size: 6-0, 270, sr.

Stats: 38 tackles, 8 sacks, 6 TFL, 4 forced fumbles

Comment: A handful as an offensive and defensive lineman. Voted SEMO North lineman of the year. Surprised coaches by quickly adapting to defensive tackle after mid-season shift from defensive end.

"He's just a man," Central coach Lawrence Brookins said. "A strong kid, very quick and very determined in a game situation. Really, for a big guy he can play the game at full speed every snap."

DL -- Matt McComas, Jackson

Size: 6-5, 241, sr.

Stats: 37 T, 2 sacks

Comment: Also an offensive guard, he played every snap both ways. As a junior started at defensive end for 12-1 team.

"He's one of those big kids that can really run," Jackson coach Carl Gross said. "He had another outstanding year at defensive end."

DL -- Tyler McNeely, Jackson

Size: 6-4, 225, jr.

Stats: 57 T, 6 sacks, 19 TFL, 1 blocked punt

Comment: Led Indians in sacks and tackles behind the line of scrimmage. An athletic big man who always made his presence felt.

"People ran away from him and had to know where he was at all times," Jackson coach Carl Gross said.

DL -- Chad Weatherspoon, Scott City

Size: 6-6, 210, sr.

Stats: 79 tackles, 18 TFL, 13 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 2 blocked punts

Comment: Athletic ability and long reach made Weatherspoon a weapon on both offense and defense. Along with 13 sacks, Weatherspoon led team with 380 yards receiving.

"Teams did look out for No. 32," Scott City coach Jason Burkman said.

LB -- Dominic Richardet, St. Vincent

Size: 6-0, 175, sr.

Stats: 51 solos, 47 assists, 3 fumble rec., 1 sack

Comment: An all-conference unanimous pick as a junior, Richardet had an even better senior season. A hard working, tenacious competitor who was also the Indians' top offensive lineman. He was the team's leader at linebacker, making sure a stingy St. Vincent defense was properly set at the snap.

"He's a great leader, has great instincts and was always around the football," St. Vincent coach Keith Winkler said.

LB -- Jeremiah Dukes, Central

Size: 6-0, 205, sr.

Stats: 75 solos, 17 assists, 3 forced fumbles, 11 TFL, 1 blocked kick

Comment: Fast, strong and always around the ball. A smart player who smelled out plays and provided leadership on defense. Whenever a hit sounded louder than normal, No. 23 was usually involved.

"He was our hardest hitter. That's been proven over and over," Central coach Lawrence Brookins said. "The kid hit unmercifully hard."

LB -- Joel Kurre, Perryville

Size: 6-2, 200, sr.

Stats: 80 tackles, 2 fumble rec., 1 sack

Comment: Pirates struggled on offense all season and relied on defense to stay in games. Kurre was the middle brick in the Pirates' wall.

"He did some exceptional things for us on defense," Perryville coach Lance Bell said. "If we didn't have him in the middle, our defense would of been very, very soft. I thought our defense was definitely the best part of our game."

LB -- Chad Reiminger, Jackson

Size: 5-11, 205, sr.

Stats: 67 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 INT

Comment: Led Indians in tackles and was typical gritty Jackson linebacker. Had Francis Howell coach Larry Branson promising to drop his name on Mizzou ears after final game of season.

"He played hard and really came on," Jackson coach Carl Gross said. "His best games were in the districts."

DB -- Shawn Hann, Scott City

Size: 5-9, 145, so.

Stats: 166 tackles, 1 INT, 1 fumble rec.

Comment: Had the Rams' tackle toteboard blowing fuses. Broke Scott City's single-season tackle record. Has two years left in Rams Country.

"He played real well for a sophomore back there. Not many things got by him. There weren't too many long runs broke on us and he had a lot to do with it."

DB -- Brad Renner, St. Vincent

Size: 5-10, 150, sr.

Stats: 41 solo, 46 assists, 3 fumble rec., 3 INT

Comment: A great athlete who helped the Indians on both sides of the line. Always around the ball, attested to by his six turnover recoveries. As a receiver he tied for a team-high 387 yards.

"He made big stops for us," St. Vincent coach Keith Winkler said. "He made our secondary the strength of this program."

DB -- Tyler Paulus, St. Vincent

Size: 5-10, 155, sr.

Stats: 29 solo, 30 assists, 5 INT

Comment: Another cog in a rock-solid defense that came seconds away from shutting out high-powered Hayti, which edged St. Vincent 7-6 in district play. He also had over 300 yards receiving.

"He read the quarterback real well," St. Vincent coach Keith Winkler said. "He came up and closed down the running lanes and turned things back toward the pursuit."

P -- Clay Schermann, Central

Size: 5-11, 160, jr.

Stats: 25 punts, 38.0 average

Comment: Like his twin brother, Colin, has a booming leg. Had season-long punt of 55 yards. Played vital role in Tigers always winning the battle of field position. Capable of improvising under pressure.

"Clay has the ability to wiggle a little bit if he gets in trouble," Central coach Lawrence Brookins said. "He was as invaluable to us as Colin was."