Our all-star team (2nd page)

The season's best local players, as chosen by The Herald sports staff		T.D. Mitcheltree Wilmington By the numbers: Sr. TE-DE, 6-2, 240. At a glance: Offense - 28 receptions for 461 yards (49 for 758 last two years). Defense - 68 tackles (43 solos), 1 sack, 1 forced fumble and 4 blocked passes. 1996 honors: 1st-team MCAC AAA-AA tight end and defensive end.		Keith Myers Mercer By the numbers: Sr. FB-LB, 5-6, 180. At a glance: Offense - Team-best 783 yards and 6 TDs on 129 carries. Defense - 118 tackles (76 solos), 2 fumble recoveries and 1 sack. Per pound, may be area's most punishing player. 1996 honors: 1st-team MCAC AAA-AA ILB.		Dante Newell Farrell By the numbers: Sr. OT-DT, 6-0, 240. At a glance: Defense - 116 tackles (33 solos), and team bests of 6 sacks and 6 fumble recoveries. A top offensive lineman. 1996 honors: Big 7 Defensive Player of the Year, 1st-team Big 7 defensive lineman, 2nd-team offensive tackle.
Josh Pearce Greenville By the numbers: Sr. TE-DE, 6-4, 230. At a glance: Offense - 5 catches, 98 yards. One of team's top defensive linemen. ... Heading to Division I-A Edinboro on wrestling scholarship. 1996 honors: 1st-team Northwest Conference tight end and defensive end.		T.J. Phillips Sharon By the numbers: So. RB-DB, 6-1, 195. At a glance: MCAC-best 1,414 yards (2nd-best sophomore total in county annals), 19 TDs on 189 carries (2-year total of 1,989 yards and 23 TDs on 263 carries). 1996 honors: 1st-team MCAC AAA-AA running back.		Chico Pinkins Farrell By the numbers: Sr. WR-DB, 5-9, 170. At a glance: Offense - 10 receptions for 251 yards (25.1/catch). Defense - Led team with 7 interceptions and also had one fumble recovery. Was team's big-play man. 1996 honors: 1st-team Big 7 wide receiver and defensive back.		Fred Sloan Sharpsville By the numbers: Sr. FB-LB, 5-11, 175. At a glance: Offense - Team-high 787 yards on 181 carries, 14 TDs, 2 FGs, 16 PATs and 2 2-pt. conversions. Defense - 77 tackles, 3 fumble recoveries and 3 INTs. 1996 honors: MCAC Class A MVP, 1st-team MCAC A RB and LB.
Todd Smargiasso Wilmington By the numbers: Jr. QB-DB, 6-1, 180. At a glance: 68-of-123 for 1,237 yards, 16 TDs; rushed for 427 yards and 10 TDs on 62 carries. Defense - 41 tackles (26 solos) and 3 INTs. 1996 honors: MCAC AAA-AA offensive MVP, 1st-team MCAC AAA-AA QB and DB.		Ed Stabile Kennedy Christian By the numbers: Sr. OG-DT, 6-1, 255. At a glance: Graded out to 93.5 percent in blocking efficiency. Defense - 95 tackles (46 solos) despite playing in only 8 games. 1996 honors: 1st-team MCAC A offensive and defensive lineman.		Jon Tekac Wilmington By the numbers: Jr. WB-DB, 6-0, 185. At a glance: Offense - 58 carries for 646 yards, 6 receptions for 164 yards, 13 TDs. Defense - 33 tackles (24 solos) and 7 INTs. 1996 honors: MCAC AAA-AA defensive MVP, 1st-team MCAC AAA-AA RB and DB.		Amos Upshaw Grove City By the numbers: Sr. WR-FS, 6-5, 220. At a glance: Defense - 73 tackles (40 solo), 3 interceptions (11 career), 3 fumble recoveries, 2 forced fumbles. ... Among schools interested: Tennessee, Pitt, YSU, Akron and Grambling. 1996 honors: 1st-team MCAC AA-AA DB.

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Updated Dec. 17, 1996.