Football

February 10, 2007

Chicago SunTimes All Public League Football Team 2006

2006 ALL-PUBLIC LEAGUE FOOTBALL TEAM

OFFENSE

Pos. Player, School Ht. Wt. Yr.

QB Sean Cattouse, Hubbard 6-3 190 Sr.

RB Robert Hughes,* Hubbard 6-0 225 Sr.

RB Emmanuel Garner, Dunbar 5-9 175 Sr.

WR Brandon Green,* Robeson 6-0 170 Jr.

WR Tafari Mahau, Morgan Park 6-1 185 Sr.

TE Martez Wilson, Simeon 6-4 232 Sr.

L Keith Otis, Hubbard 6-4 305 Sr.

L Darrell Martin, Simeon 6-4 290 Sr.

L Adam Nelson, Lane 6-6 345 Sr.

L Lederrick English, Harper 6-3 265 Jr.

C Abdulah Pratt,* Morgan Park 5-11 330 Sr.

ALL-PURPOSE

Pos. Player, School Ht. Wt. Yr.

K/PR Anthony Polk, Robeson 5-9 165 Sr.

FG/P Juan Coria, Hubbard 5-9 170 Sr.

*Repeat selection

DEFENSE

Pos. Player, School Ht. Wt. Yr.

L Miles Stroter,* King 6-5 300 Sr.

L Jordan Brown, Hubbard 6-1 280 Sr.

L Brian Thomas, Hubbard 6-2 280 Sr.

L Preston Wallace, Marshall 6-5 270 Sr.

LB Justin Hickman,* Hubbard 6-3 225 Sr.

LB Kent Bell, Robeson 5-11 180 Sr.

LB Tyrone Primas, Young 6-1 210 Sr.

CB Jack Ramsey, Simeon 5-11 175 Jr.

CB Mike Wilborn, Morgan Park 5-9 165 Sr.

S Charles Brown, Robeson 5-11 180 Sr.

S Darius Purcell, Hubbard 6-0 200 Sr.

Special mention: Trevon Bell (Curie), Rashad Bonner (Simeon), Quentin Brown (Washington), Justin Dunn (Ag Science), Paris Harbour (Hyde Park), Anthony Hughes (Julian), Rance Hughes (Brooks), Cesar Ortiz (Curie), Robert Pope (Marshall), Khyle Singleton (Morgan Park), Marcus Thomas (Morgan Park), Ivan Vargas (Lake View).

Wilson, Hughes lead resurgence: Public League's top stars elevate

Chicago Sun-Times,  Oct 27, 2006  by Clyde Travis

This year's All-Public League team is led by Simeon wide receiver- defensive end Martez Wilson and Hubbard running back Robert Hughes, both from the Illini Prairie State Conference.

Wilson and Hughes continue to show why the city not only has caught up to expectations, but has surpassed them as a talent pool in the state.

Both were chosen among 80 players from throughout the United States to play in the prestigious Army All-American game in San Antonio in January.

Wilson, a 6-4, 232-pounder, is ranked No. 15 nationally according to national talent scout Tom Lemming, and is the No. 1 defensive end.

"[Wilson is] outstanding on both sides of the ball," Lemming said. "Wilson has size, speed and athleticism. As a pass rusher, he is the best in the nation. He is in the same class as Simeon Rice [Mount Carmel, Illinois and the Tampa Bay Bucs]."

As a two-way starter, Wilson is imposing on offense as well as defense. He led Simeon with 110 tackles, eight sacks, two fumble recoveries and one interception. He also caught 25 passes for 779 yards and nine touchdowns.

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He is joined on the All-Public League team by two of his Simeon teammates, offensive tackle Darrell Martin and cornerback Jack Ramsey.

Hughes, the 6-foot, 225-pound running back, is a repeat selection, a four-year starter and is one of eight players picked from Hubbard.

"Hughes is a great, versatile back, an outstanding athlete who has the best hands of any back in the nation," Lemming said.

Also from the Greyhounds is 6-3, 190-pound quarterback- cornerback Sean Cattouse. He accounted for 1,588 yards, rushing for 709 yards with five touchdowns and passing for 879 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Linebacker Justin Hickman -- also a two-time selection -- safety Darius Purcell, offensive lineman Keith Otis, the tandem of defensive tackles Jordan Brown and Brian Thomas, and kicker Juan Coria complete the Hubbard contingent.

Coria, who handles field goals and punting chores, is the first All-Public League kicker who has not come from Curie in eight years.

Dunbar running back Emmanuel Garner showed why he is one of the toughest backs in the city. Garner scored 20 touchdowns, six against Julian.

Not since 1982, when Hall of Fame coach Roy Curry and current Public League football coordinator Mickey Pruitt led Robeson to a second-place finish in the state finals, has a Robeson team struck so much fear in opponents.

The Raiders' selections are led by receiver-cornerback Brandon Green, another two-time selection who some rate among the top juniors in the nation. Green has amassed more than 1,500 total yards, has 40 catches for 745 yards, 20 touchdowns, eight interceptions and seven kick returns for touchdowns.

Joining Green from Robeson are Northwestern-bound safety Charles Brown, linebacker Kent Bell and return specialist Anthony Polk.

The foursome has a strong background in track. They were on the city-champion 400-meter relay team last spring, and Polk won a city title in the 200-meter dash.

Lederrick English is continuing the tradition of outstanding linemen at Harper, following in the footsteps of Charles Miles (Illinois) and Roland Martin (Michigan State).

King's Miles Stroter, a two-time pick, anchors a solid defensive line.

Pruitt said this year's team continues to show the strides the Public League football program has made.

"These kids are indicative of what the coaches, the talent and the elementary programs are trying to achieve," Pruitt said. "In the past five years, we have had five high school All-Americans, players playing in major conferences throughout the United States, and we are very high on national recruiters' radar."