Staff Report

Ellison
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_IMG_6315-1-.jpgEllison

WHITMIRE — Whitmire High School football player Alex Ellison has been named to the High School Sports Report Class A Division II All State Team.

Ellison, a senior and a team captain, has been a four year varsity starter on both offense and defense.

“True fullbacks are uncommon these days with the advent of the Spread Offense and their one back sets. For a lot of teams Alex would have been the one back and he would have gotten a lot more carries. Alex is a throwback to smash mouth football,” said Head Coach Charlie Jenkins. “He was very unselfish in his role as the lead blocker on a lot of our plays. Our offense does not go without a tough fullback. If I was a running back I know I would love to run behind him.”

Besides his blocking, Ellison was able to put up the following offensive stats in 10 regular season games: 91 carries, 485 yards, 5.3 yards per carry, two touchdowns; 11 catches for 129 yards, three touchdowns.

“Alex is a true leader who helped Whitmire claw out of a 44 game losing streak,” Jenkins said. “He started and played in 20 of those losses as a freshman and sophomore, but has led his team (by deed and example) to two playoff berths his junior and senior seasons.”

His defensive stats through 10 regular season games include : 72 total tackles, 46 Solo, nine tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks; three caused fumbles, three fumble recoveries, one interception

Ellison also served as a punter this year, which included 19 punts for a 37.2 yard average, a long punt of 54 yards and four punts inside the 20 yard line.

“Alex has kicked off, kicked PATs, returned punts and kickoffs during his career. He has thrown touchdown passes, caught touchdown passes and ran for touchdowns in his career. I would like to know how many players can say that,” Jenkins said.

All State players will be honored with a banquet at Seawell’s in Columbia on Feb. 21. The speaker will be Will Muschamp, new head coach of the USC Gamecocks football team.