Sports
Four area players all-state
Published: January 24, 2002
Gatesville and Cameron Yoe were among the area's top teams this past football season, so it made sense that their players got rewarded for their efforts. The Hornets and Yoemen each landed two players on the Collin Street Bakery/Texas Sports Writers Association Class 3A All-State Football Team, which was released Wednesday. Gatesville's Darion Roberts, a senior offensive guard, made the TSWA first team for the second consecutive year. Teammate Adam Phillips, also a senior, made the third team at linebacker. Yoe also had one first-team selection, junior cornerback Tra Wilcox. Junior defensive lineman Ross Watson made the third team. Running back DeBryan Blanton of Forney, who rushed for 2,355 yards and 33 touchdowns, was named Offensive Player of the Year. Defensive lineman Albert Martinez of Falfurrias and linebackers Josh Melnar of La Grange and Jabor Manning of Madisonville shared the Defensive Player of the Year honors. Martinez had 25 sacks, caused four fumbles, recovered four fumbles and blocked four punts. Melnar had 174 tackles, including 19 for losses. Manning had six defensive touchdowns