Cash, Vermillion earn All-County honors

Saturday, November 28, 2009
South Putnam's Drew Cash (40) and Greencastle's Jesse Vermillion (right) were named the Offensvie and Defensive All-County Players of the Year.

GREENCASTLE -- When team faced the South Putnam Eagles this season, they knew it would be physical, it would be tough and they would see a lot of No. 40 Drew Cash blasting out of the backfield.

With 300 rushes, 20 touchdowns and 1,535 yard, Cash, a South Putnam senior, has been named the 2009 Putnam County Offensive Player of the Year.

He led the 8-3 Eagles with an average carry of 5.1 yards per rush and amazingly had just 15 rushing yards for a loss. He also handled punting duties for the squad. Cash is one of nine Eagles to make the All-County team.

On the flip side, when foes faced off against the Greencastle Tiger Cubs' defense, they knew that one player would be licking his chops; ready to pounce on anything that came near.

Tiger Cub junior Jesse Vermillion wreaked defensive havoc all season, collecting 100 solo tackles, 31 assists and averaged 13 tackles per contest. He also had three sacks and caused four fumbles on the season.

Vermillion has been selected the 2009 Putnam County Defensive Player of the Year. Vermillion is joined on the All-County squad by four of his Tiger Cub teammates.

North Putnam led the county in wins with a record of 9-3 and in turn led the county in players selected with 11.

The Cougars had four players selected from its offense -- Quarterback Kolten Everts, tight end Kyle Adams, wide receiver Travis Franklin and tackle Carter Price.

At the helm of the Cougar offense, Everts passed for 865 yards and four touchdowns this season. He averaged 72 yards per game through the air and 30 on the ground, while collecting five rushing touchdowns.

Adams and Franklin teamed up for 478 yards and a touchdown for North Putnam.

On defense the Cougars had Darr Boruff, Aaron Vondersaar, Hank Spencer, Caleb Vondersaar, Shawn Diebold, Nate Bryan and Travis Kratt.

Bryan led the team with 93 tackles, followed by Spencer's 78 and Boruff's 62. Kratt was selected as the special teams player.

In addition to Cash, South Putnam put nine players on the team, including five on the offensive side.

Derek Dean anchored the South Putnam offensive line and was selected at the center position. Joining him were tackle Adam Masters, guard Wes Bratcher and wide receiver Cameron Chestnut.

Chestnut led the team in receptions and yards with 21 and 308, respectively. He also hauled in six touchdowns. Jake Gould was selected at kicker.

Defensively, Matt Huck, Brayden Freeman and Rob Gibson earned All-County status. Gibson and Freeman combined for two interceptions and four fumble recoveries. Freeman also led the team in tackles with 112. Huck collected 71 tackles and forced two fumbles on the season.

Greencastle earned five selections, four of which came from the offensive side of the ball.

Nataniel Velasquez was selected at guard, with Keegan Remsburg being selected at wide receiver, Jesse Ford at running back and Jordan Hickam being named the offensive at-large.

Remsburg hauled in 44 catches for 430 yards for nearly a 10-yard average per catch. He also had three touchdowns. Hickam rushed for 233 yards on 110 carries and caught 17 balls for 40 yards. He also passed for 126 yards on 15-of-51 passing.

Ford rushed for 410 yards on 104 carries and scored two touchdowns for the Tiger Cubs in the '09 season.

Cloverdale had five selections, with three defensive selections, one offensive selection and one special team player.

Matt Hall was the team's top tackler with 77 total, including 46 solo tackles and two sacks. Jordan Brinkman had 59 tackles for a six tackle per game average and caused two fumbles, while Rob Gibson collected 32 tackles on the season.

Dillin Gray was the leading rusher for the Clovers with 572 yards on 121 carries and had six rushing touchdowns. Jaquan Moore was Cloverdale's punt specialist with a 33 yard per punt average. He amassed 1,257 yards on 38 punts.

Members of the voting committee were Greencastle head coach Mike Meyer, South Putnam head coach Troy Burgess, Cloverdale head coach Kyle Winkler, North Putnam head coach Greg Barrett and Banner Graphic Sports Editor Caine Gardner.

2009 All-County Team

Offense

Offensive Player of the Year -- Drew Cash (SP)

Quarterback -- Kolten Everts (NP)

Running Back -- Drew Cash (SP), Jesse Ford (GHS), DIllin Gray (CHS)

Wide Receiver -- Keegan Remsburg (GHS), Travis Franklin (NP), Cameron Chestnut (SP)

Tight End -- Kyle Adams (NP)

Guard -- Nataniel Valasquez (GHS), Wes Bratcher (SP)

Tackle -- Adam Masters (SP), Carter Price (NP)

Center -- Derek Dean (SP)

Punter -- Jaquan Moore (CHS)

At Large -- Jordan Hickam (GHS)

Defense

Defensive Player of the Year -- Jesse Vermillion (GHS)

Linemen -- Darr Boruff (NP), Matt Huck (SP), Jimmy Gibson (CHS), Aaron Vondersaar (NP)

Linebacker -- Hank Spencer (NP), Jesse Vermillion (GHS), Nate Bryan (NP), Brayden Freeman (SP)

Defensive Back -- Shawn Diebold (NP), Caleb Vondersaar (NP), Jordan Brinkman (CHS), Rob Gibson (SP)

Kicker -- Jake Gould (SP)

Special Teams -- Travis Kratt (NP)

At Large -- Matt Hall (CHS)