Staff report

SALISBURY — While a 40-man All-Rowan County team sounds excessive, keep in mind that 38 Rowan players made All-South Piedmont Conference or All-Central Carolina Conference this season.

Between them, Salisbury (15) and North Rowan (10) had 25 guys honored as All-CCC. They no doubt deserved conference accolades, but there’s also no doubt that all-conference teams have swelled out of control over the years. There are 48 on this year’s All-CCC team for seven schools.

Looking back at the 1969 All-North Piedmont Conference team, an undefeated East Rowan squad got seven of the 23 spots. A very good North Rowan team got three. West Rowan got one. The 1969 All-South Piedmont Conference team had more ties in the voting than the NPC did, so there’s 27 players on that team. Boyden got six berths, mostly all-time legends. South Rowan and A.L. Brown had two players apiece honored.

Times have changed.

The Post decides the number of players per team for all-county, based on the team’s season. Head coaches are asked to make the picks from their team. Holding the squad to 40, the breakdown for this season look like this — Salisbury (11), West Rowan (9), North Rowan (8), South Rowan (6), Carson (4) and East Rowan (2).

All-Rowan County

SALISBURY

Kicker/punter/QB Hank Webb was Rowan County Special Teams Player of the Year, while linebacker Emmanuel Asare was Rowan County and CCC Defensive Player of the Year. Ny’Gel Elliott was a tough defensive lineman and gave Salisbury its sixth straight Lineman of the Year honor in the CCC.

Receivers Macari House and Jay’lin Johnson broke school records. Hez Krider stepped in successfully at running back as the replacement for 2023 Rowan County and CCC Player of the Year Jamal Rule. Josh Burms anchored the offensive line. Linebacker Da’Rrius Jefferies and DBs Torian Brown, Bryce Dalton and Bennie Howard were keys to the county’s stingiest defense.

WEST

Kicker/punter Carter Durant was Special Teams Player of the Year for the South Piedmont Conference. Addison Hunt and Max Kalinowski were leaders on the offensive line. Evan Kennedy starred as a receiver as well as a ballcarrier. Jaylen Neely fought through a back injury for another 1,000-yard rushing season. Kevin Toomer was a dynamic pass-rusher. Camden Moten, Cameron Martin and Tallon Blackwell were tough tacklers.

NORTH

QB Jeremiah Alford, Rowan County and CCC Offensive Player of the Year, leads the Cavaliers, along with Rowan’s leading rusher jo Jo Tarver. North receivers Emari Russell and A’son Best had big seasons, along with versatile sophomore Michael Alford and a strong group of senior linemen — KaMahri Feamster, Jasper Neely and Yasir Wactor.

SOUTH

Brooks Overcash broke a handful of school career records as the quarterback and leader during the Raiders’ push to the playoffs. Jadon Moore was one of the county’s top receivers. Owen Smith piled up tackles at linebacker. Bryan Velasquez anchored the defensive line. Zach Barham sparked an improved secondary. Gavin Bisco was tough on both sides of the ball.

CARSON

Simeon Parker probably was Carson’s most impressive athlete as a two-way performer. D’amon Broussard was an impressive freshman running back. Jamarion Brown starred at linebacker. Tanner Simpson was the leader of the secondary.

EAST

Sam Blackwelder was a solid receiver for the Mustangs and also handled punting duties. PJ Butler had good games as a receiver and as a DB.