We're at the midpoint of the 2008 high school football season and a good time to recognize some of the best players in the Observer's 110-school coverage area in North and South Carolina. This team was assembled with the help of coaches, college recruiters and other media members – and going off what I've seen in person and on highlight reels. Langston Wertz Jr.

DEFENSE

Defensive line: Sylvester Crawford, Northside Christian, 6-foot-5, 230 pounds, Sr.: N.C. State commit has 52 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, three caused fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one blocked field goal. Prince Shembo, Ardrey Kell, 6-2, 220, Jr.: 50 tackles, six for loss, 5.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one interception. Allonte' Tuppins, Butler, 6-0, 220, Sr.: Dominant front-line player has 49 tackles and six sacks. Stephen Pitts, Mallard Creek, 6-1, 220, Sr: Has nine sacks, 12 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries. J Mozee, East Mecklenburg, 5-10, 190, Jr.: 32 tackles, eight sacks, 14 tackles for loss on one of the area's top defensive teams. Pete Roseboro, Rock Hill South Pointe, 6-1, 205, Sr.: 73 tackles, 3.5 sacks, five tackles for loss.

Linebacker: Brandon Grier, West Charlotte, 6-2, 215, Sr.: 91 tackles, four sacks, two fumble recoveries for speedy team leader. Hawatha Bell, Butler, 6-1, 225, Sr.: Top-five recruit in North Carolina has 51 tackles, seven for loss, five sacks, interception return for touchdown.

Defensive backs: Maurice Falls, Belmont South Point, 6-2, 210, Jr.: Has eight sacks and is run-stopper for team that's allowed seven points in a month. Vic Hampton, Independence, 5-9, 175, Jr. 15 tackles, five interceptions, seven pass breakups. Coach Tom Knotts says he's one of the best defensive backs he's coached. Josh Hunter, Mallard Creek, 6-2, 180, Sr: Teams won't throw much to his side, but major-college recruit has three interceptions and 15 pass breakups. DeVonte Holloman, Rock Hill South Pointe, 6-3, 215, Sr: Committed to Clemson. Has 44 tackles, 2.5 sacks, one interception. Three punt returned for TDs (24.5 return average).

Punter: Dylan Neisheiser, Lake Norman, 6-3, 165, Jr: Averaging more than 35 yards per punt. Has great hang time and only allowed 21 yards total in punt return yardage. Long punt of 52 yards plus six punts inside the 10.

Kick returner: Derryek Turner, Waddell, 5-8, 165, Sr.: Averages 32 yards per kick return, 20 yards per punt return. Has 90-yard kick return for touchdown and 68-yard punt return for touchdown. Averaging nearly 20 yards per catch as wide receiver.

Athletes: Stephon Gilmore, Rock Hill South Pointe (QB/DB), 6-1, 190, Sr.: Has team-high 472 yards rushing, averaging more than 10 yards per rush. Has thrown for 625 yards and three touchdowns, completing 64 percent of his passes; 13 tackles at DB. Walter Aikens, Harding (QB/DB), 6-1, 190, Sr.: leads team in rushing (362 yards, 2 TDs) and passing (66-130, 910 yards, 7 TDs); 4.4 speedster may be best athlete in Meck County.

OFFENSE

Quarterback: Andy Capone, Indian Trail Sun Valley, 6-0, 185, Sr.: Completed 90 of 126 passes for 1,383 yards (71 percent) and 25 TDs. Only two interceptions. Also has 112 rush yards with two scores; 3.8 student.

Running back: Jishaun Pinkston, Mooresville, 5-8, 175, Sr.: Rushed for 1,500 yards as a junior. Already rushed 137 times for 1,231 yards and 17 TDs as a senior. Led N.C. in rushing heading into Friday's games. K.P. Parks, West Rowan, 5-9, 175, Jr.: Rushed for 198 yards and three TDs Friday; has 1,259 yards and 21 TDs for the season.

Offensive line: Ryan Thompson, Independence, 6-0, 215, Jr.: Top offensive lineman for explosive Patriots; also plays DL. Kendall Lamm, Butler, 6-5, 250, Jr.: Excellent blocking left tackle for one of the area's most explosive offensive teams. Kane Sherrill, Lake Norman, 6-3, 270, Jr.: All-county as a sophomore, grades 92 percent and hasn't allowed a sack in two years. Daniel Biggerstaff, Belmont South Point, 6-0, 230, Sr.: Along with senior Greg Lancaster, key players for offense averaging more than 440 yards per game. Marcus Lawrence, Harding, 6-3, 270, Sr.: Division I recruit grades out to 95 percent per game and gets three pancake blocks per game.

Receiver: Jheranie Boyd, Gastonia Ashbrook, 6-3, 190, Sr.: Top-50 national recruit has 35 catches for 674 yards and 7 TDs, plus 90-yard kickoff return for a score. Lawrence Martin, Independence, 6-1, 180, Sr.: Had 201 yards receiving against West Charlotte, 175 against Ardrey Kell. Keith Rendleman, East Lincoln, 6-6, 200, Sr.: Caught 33 passes for 613 yards and 10 TDs; also has interception for TD and four sacks on defense.

Kicker: Wil Kamin, Charlotte Christian, 5-10, 170, Sr.: Division I recruit had a 50-yard field goal Friday at Northern Guilford.

KR: Germone Hopper, Berry, 6-0, 165, Fr: Had 976 kick and punt return yards in Berry's first six games.

Coach of the midseason: Mike Palmieri, Mallard Creek

Player of the midseason: Stephon Gilmore, Rock Hill South Pointe.

NOTE: Statistics do not include Friday's game unless specifically noted.