Raines, McClurg saluted

Published 9:04 pm Saturday, December 17, 2005

Long after the season’s final whistle, the Dalton High football team continues to impress with its achievements.

The Catamounts, who advanced to the quarterfinals of the Class 4A state playoffs and were ranked No. 7 in The Associated Press’ final Top 10 poll, landed 13 players on the 2005 All-Region 7-4A first and second teams. The team, selected by the region’s coaches and members of the media, was honored at a banquet Saturday in Calhoun.

The Daily Citizen’s All-Area Team — which includes representatives from Dalton, Murray County, Northwest Whitfield and Southeast — will be announced on Christmas.

The Catamounts led all programs with eight first-team members and tied Southeast and Woodland with five selections to the second team.

“I think that really tells you something about our kids and the way (other coaches) feel about our kids,” Dalton coach Ronnie McClurg said. “That speaks volumes for our football team, and it makes it more prestigious because other coaches recognized the effort put forth by our team.”

In addition, senior wideout/wingback Stephaun Raines is the region’s Offensive Player of the Year and McClurg is Coach of the Year.

Raines finished the regular season with 764 rushing yards, 30 catches for 517 yards and 15 touchdowns. In three playoff games, Raines rushed for 127 yards and a touchdown, and also caught eight passes for 82 yards.

McClurg led the Cats, who featured younger players in several key positions, to a 10-3 mark after a 1-2 start. This marks the second time McClurg has been honored as the region’s Coach of the Year — he was also selected in 2001, when Dalton advanced to the state title game.

Raines is also the only local player to make the Georgia Sports Writers Association’s All-State team.

McClurg joked that the region’s other coaches won’t exactly miss Raines next season.

“Stephaun is a special football player,” McClurg said. “He has something you can’t coach, and that’s speed. Speed’s never had a bad day and Stephaun didn’t have many bad days. He was a special player for us.”

Southeast had three All-Region first-team selections and five on the second team; Northwest Whitfield had three first-team selections and two second-teamers; and Murray County had two on each squad.

Besides Raines, who made the first team as a wide receiver, offensive linemen Ben Bolden and Andrew Norris, defensive lineman Pedro Fraire, linebacker Jake McIntosh, defensive backs Clint Harkins and Tyler Wofford and place-kicker Adrian Mora all made the first team for Dalton.

Also for the Cats, quarterback Harrison Scott, fullback Sawyer Shoates, linebacker Preston Keck and all-purpose athlete Luis Salazar were on the second team, while Raines was selected at running back and Mora at punter.

For Southeast, running back Rashad Person, offensive lineman Matt Boyd and defensive back Josiah Palmer made the first team. Offensive lineman Daniel Kitchens, defensive lineman Clayton Napier, and linebackers Jordan Andrew and Alan Jackson were on the second team, along with Person as an all-purpose athlete.

For Northwest, fullback Ryan Burgess, offensive lineman Wes Palmer and linebacker Rhett Headden made the first team. Offensive lineman Warren Shepard and defensive back Parker Suddeth were named to the second team.

For Murray, quarterback Cody Rainey and running back Cameron Hudson were on the first team. Offensive lineman Blake Palmer and linebacker Josh Suiter made the second team.