Stars garner All-State honors

Adam Candee

Friday, Dec. 20, 2002 | 11:08 a.m.

HOW THE TEAM WAS SELECTED

The Sun's 2002 All-State football team was selected by Sun prep writer Adam Candee, with input from coaches and the media outlets throughout Nevada, including Nevadaprep.com editor Chuck Hildebrand.

There are many things we wish for the people of Las Vegas this holiday season: Peace, warmth, food, and proximity to loved ones top this list.

One thing we never wish upon you: The responsibility of picking the 25 best high school football players in Nevada.

The Sun's All-State Football Team, the only of its kind in Nevada, is announced in today's paper. It is the result of many hours of phone calls to coaches and media, and many more hours of looking back at statistics and accounts of players and games throughout the season.

This year, it is the domain of two special players, one from the north and one from the south.

Charles Tolbert, who anchored the middle of the line for state championship McQueen, was tabbed the Sun's Defensive Player of the Year.

The offensive laurels go to running back Cornell Johnson of Desert Pines, whose Jaguars fell 38-7 to McQueen in the state championship game.

As might be expected, the state finalists were well reprsented on the All-State team with McQueen tight end Mohu Ottuafi, offensive lineman Rory Moore, kicker Clint Stitser, defensive back Corey Patin and coach Ken Dalton joining Tolbert on the honor squad.

In addition to Johnson, Desert Pines' quarterback Marcel Johnson, defensive lineman Curtis Coker and defensive back Lee Dorsey were honored for their outstanding individual performances.

The team was selected by the Sun staff, in conjunction with Nevadaprep.com editor Chuck Hildebrand (who provides valuable insight on northern Nevada) with input from numerous sources across the state.

With 56 selections to the 4A All-North and All-South teams, and another huge amount on the 1A, 2A, and 3A all-star teams, you can see how cutting that list to about two dozen players is an unenviable task at best. At the same time, we hope it gives you a chance to reflect on some of the remarkable accomplishments of Nevada's finest prep football players.