Gilman School quarterback Darius Jennings was named the state’s offensive player of the year Wednesday. It’s the latest honor for the speedster who was the unanimous top offensive performer in the area.

This past season, Jennings, Varsity Sports Network’s offensive player of the year, accumulated 2,203 yards from scrimmage and accounted for 25 touchdowns for the No. 2 Greyhounds. He finished his four-year varsity career with a school-record 4,338 rushing yards and 53 touchdowns, surpassing former Gilman quarterback Ambrose Wooden’s 4,033 rushing yards and 46 touchdowns.

Against Washington Catholic Athletic Conference champion Good Counsel, then-ranked No. 9 nationally by USA Today, rushed for 144 yards and a touchdown and threw for another in a 28-7 decision. Arguably his best performance came against DeMatha Catholic, rushing for 276 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-7 pounding of the perennial Mid-Atlantic and national powerhouse.

Jennings, whose final college choices are the University of Maryland, Ohio State, UCLA, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest, will play in the inaugural Chesapeake Bowl Dec. 30 at Unitas Stadium. He will also play in the Under Armour All-American game in St. Petersburg, Fla. Jan. 5.

Jennings is one of 14 area players named to the consensus All-State squad. The team is based on the top 30 vote-getters from the Big School and Small School all-state teams.

Jennings’ Gilman mates Cyrus Jones (all-purpose) and Brian Gaia (offensive line) were selected along with Glenelg’s Colin Osborne who helped Baltimore to victory in last weekend’s Crab Bowl All-Star game. K.K. Smith, who helped Archbishop Spalding to a second straight MIAA B Conference championship, joins Osborne in the backfield.

Franklin’s Ian Thomas and Tyler Washington from Arundel were selected as receivers while Owings Mills’ Donovan Smith is up front. Smith, the area’s top line prospect, will participate in the Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio next month. 

Adrian Amos and Dan Yarborough who led Calvert Hall College to the area’s and state’s No. 1 ranking, heads up the area contingent on the all-state defensive unit. Eastern Tech’s Dan McManus and Boys’ Latin’s Marco Jones joins Yarborough up front.

Mark Venable, who helped Franklin to the Class 3A state title game, is a linebacker selection. Deontay McManus from Class 1A state champ Dunbar is in the defensive backfield with Amos. McManus and Jones, both juniors, are expected to be among the area’s most sought after recruits next year.

2010 Consensus All-State Team

Offense

Quarterback: Connor Frazier, Damascus, Sr., 6-0, 195
Quarterback: Darius Jennings, Gilman School, Sr., 6-0, 180
Running back: Crusoe Gongbay, Rockville, Sr., 6-0, 190
Running back: Colin Osborne, Glenelg, Sr., 5-10, 190
Running back: K.K. Smith, Archbishop Spalding, Sr., 5-9, 195
Line: Brian Gaia, Gilman School, Jr., 6-4, 280
Line: Cyrus Kouandjio, DeMatha Catholic, Sr., 6-7, 300
Line: Jamal Price, McDonough, Sr., 6-7, 340
Line: Donovan Smith, Owings Mills, Sr., 6-6, 290
Line: Terrell Stewart, Suitland, Sr., 6-3, 310
Wide receiver: Stefon Diggs, Good Counsel, Jr., 6-0, 190
Wide receiver: Ian Thomas, Franklin, Jr., 6-1, 190
Wide receiver: Tyler Washington, Arundel, Sr., 6-3, 190
All-purpose: Cyrus Jones, Gilman, Jr., 6-0, 185
Kicker: Michael Branthover, DeMatha Catholic, Sr., 5-9, 175

Defense

Line: Darian Cooper, DeMatha, Sr., 6-3, 280
Line: Marco Jones, Boys’ Latin, Sr., 6-4, 250
Line: Colton Kmetz, Urbana, Jr., 6-5, 220
Line: Dan McManus, Eastern Tech, Sr., 6-0, 270
Line: Dan Yarborough, Calvert Hall, Sr., 5-10, 300
Linebacker: Vince Croce, Good Counsel, Sr., 6-4, 260
Linebacer: Conner Crowell, North Point, Sr., 6-1, 215
Linebacker: Alex Twine, Quince Orchard, Sr., 6-0, 210
Linebacker: Mark Venable, Franklin, Sr., 5-10, 200
Defensive back: Adrian Amos, Calvert Hall, Sr., 6-1, 200
Defensive back: Sherrod Baltimore, Friendly, Sr., 5-11, 175
Defensive back: Blake Countess, Good Counsel, Sr., 5-10, 170
Defensive back: Zack Fetters, Gaithersburg, Sr., 6-3, 195
Defensive back: DeonTay McManus, Dunbar, Jr., 6-2, 215
Punter: Ryan Earls, Kent Island, Sr., 6-1, 175

Coaches of the Year: Donald Davis, Calvert Hall College & Ryan Hines, Urbana

Offensive Player of the Year: Darius Jennings, Gilman School

Defensive Player of Year: Vince Croce, Good Counsel