Best of Class 5A

LITTLE ROCK — BEST QUARTERBACK

Tyler Shook

Tyler Shook, 6-0, 175 pounds, won the job at Greenwood as a junior, started 10 games and helped the Bulldogs win the conference championship, passing for 2,865 yards and 33 touchdowns. Shook doesn't have the physical attributes or college prospects of former

Greenwood quarterbacks Daniel Stegall and Tyler Wilson, but he understands the offense and is adept at reading defenses.

BEST RUNNING BACK

Justin Criswell

Morrilton's Justin Criswell, 5-9, 185, was an All-Arkansas junior defensive back after leading the Devil Dogs in tackles. This year he will be the team's featured running back after rushing for 800 yards last year. "I don't know anyone else who has his combination of strength and speed," Morrilton Coach Buddy Greeson said. "We're going to hand him the ball and see what he can do." Criswell has received scholarship offers from Kansas State and Louisiana-Monroe for his work as a defensive back.

BEST RECEIVER

Spencer Harris

Spencer Harris, 6-3, 180, caught 73 passes for 1,266 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior at Greenwood. He also won a best-hands award at an Arkansas camp this summer. Greenwood Coach Rick Jones said Harris has a scholarship offer from Missouri State and has attracted attention from a dozen Division I colleges. "I expect he is going to have a huge year," Jones said.

BEST BLOCKER

Jesse Pennington

Jesse Pennington, 6-4, 275, has anchored Alma's line since he was a sophomore. He'll be a three-year starter after grading out at 90 percent last year. As the left tackle, Pennington calls the line splits in the no-huddle offense depending on the defense's formations. He has attracted attention from schools such as Arkansas State, Arkansas Tech and Ole Miss. "He takes every snap personally," Alma Coach Todd Dilbeck said.

BEST DEFENDER

Deric England

Siloam Springs' Deric England, 6-2, 260, is a dominant defensive tackle who will force teams to change blocking schemes to handle him. Not just a big body, England uses his 4.8-second speed in the 40 to chase down plays. "You don't see many high school kids who are that big and run that well," Siloam Springs Coach Bryan Ross said. Morrilton Coach Buddy Greeson says: "He's head and shoulders above everyone else in our conference."

BEST TACKLER

Marco Vota

Marco Vota, 6-0, 200, was the leader of Greenwood's defense as a sophomore and should be even better as a junior. Vota made 112 tackles, including 12 for losses and 4 sacks, and made the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's Super Sophomore team. Vota has good physical ability but excels because of his instincts and aggressiveness. "He's a tackling son of a gun," Greenwood Coach Rick Jones said.

MOST VERSATILE

Tony Sandifer

The list of things Tony Sandifer won't do for Greenwood might be shorter than the things he will do. Sandifer, 6-1, 195, started at cornerback last year as a sophomore and had 30 receptions as a receiver. This year, he will start at receiver and cornerback and see time as a quarterback, running back and kick and punt returner and may be the team's punter. "He enjoys action," Greenwood Coach Rick Jones said. "He wants to play every down."

BEST LEADER

John Colliver

Harrison's John Colliver, 6-5, 195, earned his teammates' respect as a sophomore tight end/linebacker last year and is the unquestioned team leader this year. Colliver will start at tight end and safety this year. He also will be the team's kicker. "If you're going to keep up with the lead dog, you have to keep up with John Colliver," Harrison Coach Tom Tice said.