All-Observer high school football: Honoring the region’s top offensive players
Meet the 2024 All-Observer offensive all-stars.
Also, read about the coach and players of the year and the All-Observer defense.
Scroll down for the photo gallery.
First-team offense
QB: Finley Polk, Northwestern, 6-3, 190, Sr.
2024 stats: He completed 274 of 383 passes (71 percent) for 3,712 yards and 46 touchdowns against six interceptions.
Why him: Polk’s 3,712 yards were 48th in the nation, and he led Northwestern to a 14-0 season and the S.C. 5A Division II state title. In the championship game, he completed 33 of 39 passes for 427 yards and four touchdowns. He has signed with Gardner-Webb.
RB: Jayden Jones, Independence, 5-10, 185, Jr.
2024 stats: Jones rushed 157 times for 2,214 yards and 27 touchdowns.
Why him: Jones averaged 14.1 yards per carry and is a two-time all-conference player. He was No. 5 in the state in rushing this season with three of the four players ranked ahead of him playing two additional games. Jones already ranks in the top 15 all-time in rushing in Mecklenburg County.
RB: Mason Pickett-Hicks, South Pointe, 5-8, 165, Sr.
2024 stats: Hicks ran 207 times for 2,665 yards and 30 touchdowns. He caught 26 passes for 289 yards and three touchdowns.
Why him: Hicks helped lead the Stallions to the state semifinals and was a threat to score almost anytime he touched the ball. Hicks led all S.C. players in rushing this season.
WR: Gordon Sellars, Providence Day, 6-3, 185, Jr.
2024 stats: Sellars caught 50 passes for 975 yards and 10 touchdowns. He missed one game this season and played on a bad ankle for much of the season.
Why him: Sellars is a big-bodied receiver with excellent speed. He has offers from all the in-state ACC schools, as well as schools like Clemson, Michigan, South Carolina and Wisconsin.
WR: Je’rel Boulder, Forest Hills, 6-0, 197, Sr.
2024 stats: Boulder caught 65 passes for 1,088 yards and six touchdowns.
Why him: Boulder is a three-time all-conference pick and a top 10 in-state recruit who signed with N.C. State. He averaged 17 yards per catch.
TE: Gavin Barber, Mooresville, 6-2, 230, Jr.
2024 stats: Barber graded 92 percent, averaging 4.5 knock downs per game. He also caught 27 passes for 453 yards.
Why him: Barber’s ability to be a top-flight offensive blocker as well as a dangerous pass catcher is rare in today’s game. He played five positions this season, including running back, and earned all-conference honors.
OL: David Sanders, Providence Day, 6-6, 290, Sr.
2024 stats: Sanders graded 93 percent and didn’t allow a sack.
Why him: The Big South offensive player of the year, Sanders is the first linemen to win The Observer’s offensive player of the year award. He has signed with Tennessee.
OL: Kiande Marsh, Hough, 6-2, 300, Sr.
2024 stats: Marsh graded 90 percent for the year and had more than 30 pancake blocks. He didn’t allow a sack all season.
Why him: Marsh was the top linemen on one of the state’s elite teams. A Shrine Bowl pick, Marsh signed with S.C. State.
OL: Montgomery Edwards, Marvin Ridge, 6-2, 300, Sr.
2024 stats: Edwards graded 90 percent and had 70 knockdowns and 30 pancake blocks.
Why him: A Division I recruit, Edwards didn’t allow a sack all season and has excellent size for the position.
OL: Tai Buster, AL Brown, 6-4, 290, Sr.
2024 stats: Buster graded 90 percent for the season for the Wonders.
Why him: An Auburn signee and a top 15 in-state recruit, Buster was a Shrine Bowl pick and is a four-time all-conference selection.
OL:Victor Goree, South Pointe, 6-2, 265, Sr.
2024 stats: Goree graded 96 percent on the season, didn’t allow a sack and had 41 pancake blocks.
Why him: The leader of an offense line that spawned the state’s leading rusher (Mason Pickett-Hicks, 2,665 yards) and 3,194 passing yards and 43 touchdowns. A Shrine Bowl pick, Goree has signed with N.C. Central.
Spec./Ath: KD Cotton, West Charlotte, 5-10, 185, Jr.
2024 stats: Cotton ran 24 times for 196 yards and eight touchdowns. He caught 29 passes for 443 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 15.3 yards per catch. He had 61 tackles, one sack and five interceptions.
Why him: Cotton, who repeats as a first team pick as an athlete, played heavily on both sides of the ball for the state champions and produced. He’s a Power 4 recruit.
K: Ford Fehling, Marvin Ridge, 6-1, 175, Soph.
2024 stats: Fehling averaged 62.6 yards on kickoffs, was a perfect 22 of 22 on PATs and made 14 of 16 field goals, including a long of 49.
Why him: Fehling is reliable and has distance, which is a huge weapon in the high school games where PATs and short field goals can be an adventure. His 14 field goals tied for sixth most in the nation.
KR: Rai’Shawn Elmore, Porter Ridge, 6-3, 185, Jr.
2024 stats: Elmore averaged 38.9 yards per return and returned four kicks for touchdowns.
Why him: Elmore ran 28 times for 169 yards and six touchdowns. He threw five passes and he caught 26 for 347 yards and seven touchdowns. He was dangerous whenever he got the football.
Second-team offense
QB: Trey Blakeney, Hough, 6-2, 215, Sr.
RB: Jamal Rule, Charlotte Christian, 6-1, 205, Jr.
RB: Shannon Wingate, North Lincoln, 5-9, 215, Jr.
TE/H: Jycen Anciso, Hough, 6-0, 200, Sr.
WR: Dominic Morin, Mooresville, 6-3, 190, Jr.
WR: Sean Brady, Hough, 5-9, 165, Sr.
OL: Jimmy Randazzo, Weddington, 6-5, 305, Sr.
OL: Brandon Stoner, AL Brown, 6-4, 315, Sr.
OL: Brandon Bevilacqua, Central Cabarrus, 6-2, 305, Jr.
OL: Jesus Jarquin, Monroe, 6-2, 225, Sr.
OL: Khavijae Nixon, Lincolnton, 6-4, 270, Sr.
SPEC/ATH: Cameron Johnson, Corvian, 6-0, 185, Sr.
K: Matthew Fish, Northwestern, 5-11, 165, Sr.
KR: Brennan Wallace, Christ The King, 5-10, 175, Jr.
This story was originally published December 25, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
