WEST ALABAMA HEROES: May, Wilder have big games

Football

Alabama senior right guard John Michael Boswell (Tuscaloosa County High School) saw action as the backup to Anthony Steen in UA's 27-11 win at Penn State on Sept. 10.

Alabama senior tight end Brad Smelley (American Christian Academy) started for the second straight week and turned in one of the games' most significant plays in the Tide's 27-11 win at Penn State this past Saturday. He successfully converted a fake punt with a 1-yard run at the UA 41-yard line in the first quarter. The Tide scored seven plays later and never relinquished the lead. Smelley had two catches in the game for 18 yards and recorded one tackle.

Alabama freshman defensive back Vinnie Sunseri (Northridge High School) saw action in the Crimson Tide's win at Penn State. He was named Alabama special teams' player of the week by the UA coaching staff.

Alabama senior tight end Michael Williams (Pickens County High School) started for the second straight week and caught three passes for 34 yards, including a 5-yard TD catch in the first quarter that put the Crimson Tide head to stay at 7-3. He was named Alabama offensive player of the week by the UA coaching staff.

Alabama State sophomore wide receiver Nehemiah Henry (Millry High School) caught three passes for 78 yards, including a 42-yard grab in the second quarter, in ASU's 14-7 loss at Eastern Michigan on Sept. 10.

Arkansas State senior defensive end Jeremy Gibson (Greene County High School) recorded three tackles in the Red Wolves 47-3 blowout win over Memphis on Sept. 10.

Arkansas State senior running back Jermaine Robertson (Northridge High School) had nine carries for 31 yards and one touchdown in the win over Memphis. Robertson scored on an 8-yard run with 6:29 left in the second quarter to give ASU a 23-0 lead.

East Central Community College sophomore receiver Corey Collier (Tuscaloosa County High School) had one reception for 12 yards in the Warriors 42-19 loss to sixth-ranked Northwest Mississippi on Sept. 8.

East Central Community College freshman wide receiver Brock Hall (Paul W. Bryant High School) has one 30-yard touchdown reception this season for the Warriors.

East Central Community College freshman offensive lineman Remund Jackson (Tuscaloosa County High School) seen action in both games this season as the backup right tackle.

East Central Community College freshman offensive lineman Paul Kiruman (Tuscaloosa County High School) has seen action as the backup center in the first two games of the season.

East Central Community College freshman offensive lineman Andre Lucious (Tuscaloosa County High School) has started both games at center for the Warriors.

East Central Community College freshman defensive lineman Vodrick Lucious (Tuscaloosa County High School) has started both games at defensive tackle and has recorded three tackles.

East Central Community College freshman defensive lineman Josh Martin (Paul W. Bryant High School) has four tackles and two tackles for loss in two starts at defensive tackle this season.

East Central Community College freshman running back Jaabir Stephens (Hillcrest High School) has one rushing attempt for five yards this season.

Faulkner University freshman defensive end Stephen Hodge (Hale County High School) had three tackles in collegiate debut in the Eagles 41-19 win over Ava Marie at the Cramton Bowl on Sept. 10.

Georgia senior center Ben Jones (Bibb County High School) made his 37th consecutive start at center in the Bulldogs 45-42 loss to South Carolina in Athens on Sept. 10. He anchored an offensive line that paved the way for 395 total yards and 5.9 yards per play.

Harding University senior offensive lineman Caleb Simmons (Winfield High School) started at right guard in a 35-21 loss at Henderson State. The Bison's racked up 357 total yards, but had four costly turnovers in the loss.

Jackson State junior defensive tackle Jamal Carter (Livingston High School) had four tackles and one tackle for loss (-10 yards) in the Tigers 35-29 win over Tennessee State in the 2011 Southern Heritage Classic at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis on Sept. 10.

Jackson State junior receiver Marcellos Wilder (Central High School) was the Tigers' leading receiver with five catches for 114 yards and one touchdown in a 35-29 win over Tennessee State at the Southern Heritage Classic in Memphis. Wilder caught a 62-yard touchdown pass on the Tigers' first play from scrimmage to lead to the win.

Jackson State freshman offensive lineman Danny Williams (Tuscaloosa County High School) made his second straight start at right guard in the Tigers win over Tennessee State on Sept. 10.

Jacksonville State freshman center Max Holcombe (Hillcrest High School) was the starting center in the Gamecocks loss at Chattanooga on Sept. 10.

Jacksonville State freshman running back DeMarcus James (Demopolis High School) saw action in the loss at Chattanooga, but did not have a rushing attempt.

Miles sophomore linebacker James Gaines III (Greene County High School) saw action on special teams in the win over Concordia on Sept. 10.

Mikes sophomore linebacker Jeffrey Gordon (Central High School) recorded two tackles as the starting MIKE linebacker in the Golden Bears win over Concordia on Sept. 10.

Miles junior offensive lineman Lester Jackson (???) was the starting center for the Golden Bears in the win over Concordia on Sept. 10. He helped pave the way for 233 rushing yards in the win.

Miles freshman linebacker Quinton Land (Millry High School) recorded one tackle in the win over Concordia.

Senior offensive lineman Christopher Oliver (Aliceville High School) was the starting center for the Bears against Concordia. Oliver helped Miles average more than four yards per carry on the ground.

Mississippi State senior linebacker Brandon Wilson (Northridge High School) started at linebacker in the Bulldogs 41-34 loss at Auburn on Sept. 10. He had five tackles and one tackle for loss (-2 yards) against the Tigers. He has eight tackles in the first two games.

South Alabama sophomore running back Ellis Hill (Hillcrest High School) has 12 rushing attempts for 60 yards in the first two games of the season for the Jaguars. He had five carries for 20 yards in a 30-8 win over Lamar.

South Alabama sophomore receiver Corey Waldon (Central High School) had two catches for 47 yards, including a 10-yard touchdown grab in the Jaguars 30-8 win over Lamar. He has five catches for 58 yards in two games this season.

Southern Mississippi senior defensive Cordarro Law (Sumter County High School) recorded six tackles, one tackle for loss (-1 yard) and one quarterback pressure in the Golden Eagles 26-20 loss at Marshall in the 2011 Conference USA opener on Sept. 10.

Southern Mississippi sophomore defensive back Alex Walters (Tuscaloosa County High School) saw action in the C-USA opener at Marshall, but did not record a tackle.

Stillman cornerback Antonio Johnson (Bibb County High School) recorded two tackles in the loss to Samford.

Stillman freshman wide receiver Carvaris Lanier (Holt High School) had one catch for 34 yards and added three kickoff returns for 55 yards in the Tigers loss at Samford on Sept. 10.

Stillman sophomore running back Jaquail Rutledge (Bibb County High School) had two rushing attempts for seven yards in the Tigers loss at Samford on Sept. 10.

Tennessee sophomore defensive back Izauea Lanier (Gordo HS) recorded three tackles in the Volunteers 45-23 win over Cincinnati at Neyland Stadium.

Tuskegee junior quarterback Jeremy Williams (Central High School) completed 9-of-16 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns in a 33-19 loss to Langston. His 44-yard TD pass in the first quarter put the Golden Tigers in front 7-6.

UAB junior linebacker Greg Irvin (Demopolis High School) made six tackles from his starting linebacker position in the Blazers season opener at Florida.

UAB freshman defensive lineman Diheem Watkins (Bibb County High School) was the starting defensive end in his first career game for the Blazers. He recorded three tackles in the season opener at Florida.

UAB junior cornerback Cornelius Richards (Tuscaloosa County High School) recorded one pass break-up in the season opener at Florida.

Vanderbilt senior defensive back Sean Richardson (Linden High School) recorded three tackles in the Commodores 24-21 win over Connecticut.

Vanderbilt junior running back Zac Stacy (Bibb County High School) had 10 rushing attempts for 58 yards in the Commodores 24-21 win over Connecticut on Sept. 10 in Nashville. Stacy had a 48-yard run in the fourth quarter that set up the Commodores game-winning field goal with 2:56 left in the game.

West Alabama senior defensive lineman Thomas Brown (Tuscaloosa County High School) recorded two tackles, one sack (-5 yards) and forced one fumble in the Tigers 42-35 comeback win over Tarleton on Sept. 10.

West Alabama freshman linebacker Quentin Harton (Paul W. Bryant High School) recorded one tackle in the Tigers win over Tarleton on Sept. 10.

West Alabama senior defensive end Josh Lewis (Tuscaloosa County High School) recorded three tackles and one tackle for loss (-6 yards) in the Tigers win over Tarleton State on Sept. 10.

West Alabama senior wide receiver Ken May (Tuscaloosa County High School) had a huge game in the Tigers win over Tarleton on Sept. 10. May caught five passes for 92 yards, including a 72-yard TD grab on the Tigers second play from scrimmage that tied the game at 7-7.

West Alabama junior strong safety Brandon Walker (Hillcrest High School) recorded two tackles in the win over Tarleton on Sept. 10.

Soccer

West Alabama freshman defender Jen Crombie (Holy Spirit High School) has played 259 minutes in four games this season.

Cross Country

Tennessee senior Elizabeth Tiller (American Christian Academy) will compete with the Lady Vols at the 2011 Tennessee Invitational this weekend in Maryville, Tenn.

The West Alabama Heroes notebook runs each Wednesday in The Tuscaloosa News. If you know of other Tuscaloosa-area athletes competing at the collegiate level, email westalheroes@yahoo.com