Miners' Russell Named 1st Team in Class 3A

Fri. January 06, 2012 at 11:00 p.m. | By Polk Preps Staff

FORT MEADE'S MAURICE RUSSELL was named to The Associated Press' Class 3A All-State Team on Friday. (Photo by MICHAEL WILSON | THE LEDGER (2010) )

LEDGER STAFF

Fort Meade linebacker Maurice Russell was the only Polk County football player named to the first team in The Associated Press' Class 3A All-State Team that was released Friday. Three other players from the county were honorable mention.

Russell, a 6-foot-1, 235 pound senior, was also PolkPreps.com's 2011-2012 Small School Defensive Player of the Year. He led the county with 154 tackles.

Russell has yet to commit and has received offers from South Florida, Western Kentucky, Indiana, Iowa State and Ball State.

In December, he was a dominant player in the FACA All-Star Game, finishing with 12 tackles including three for losses.

The three players selected for honorable mention were Lakeland Christian wide receiver Michael Wheary, Fort Meade linebacker Jamie Wills and Frostproof linebacker Tyrone Hamilton.

The 3A and 4A teams were released Friday. Polk has no teams in 4A.