WSOC-TV Channel 9 Announces 2011 'Big 22' Players To Watch

CHARLOTTE, N.C.,None — WSOC-TV Channel 9

announced for the second year in a row,

Channel 9's "Big 22."

These 22 high school football players are the top pre-season standouts from area high school teams for the 2011 season. They will be featured throughout the season on Channel 9's weekly "High School Football Extra" show along with in-depth coverage on

.

Coaches from public and private high-schools located in the WSOC-TV, Channel 9 DMA viewing area in N.C. and S.C. were asked to nominate three players from their team and two players from other schools to be considered for the "Big 22." The final twenty-two were selected by the WSOC-TV sports team after reviewing the coach's nominations and using a set of judging criteria.

"Recognizing the "Big 22" players is a great way to showcase these young athletes and demonstrates Channel 9's commitment to our community", said Joe Pomilla, WSOC-TV Vice President and General Manager.

For the 2011 High School Football season the "Big 22" are: (in alphabetical order by last name)

B.J. Beecher/QB, Concord High School, Concord, NC. B.J. Boyd/WR, Northwestern High School, Rock Hill, S.C. Jonathan Bullard/DE, Crest High School, Shelby, N.C. Tyler Chadwick/QB, Marvin Ridge High School, Waxhaw, N.C. Nick Dawson/LB, Berry Academy, Charlotte, N.C. Jela Duncan/RB, Mallard Creek High School, Charlotte, N.C. Riley Ferguson/QB, Butler High School, Matthews, N.C. Jody Fuller/WR, Sun Valley High School, Monroe, N.C. Paul Griggs/K-P, Charlotte Latin, Charlotte, N.C. Mark Harrell/OL, Charlotte Catholic, Charlotte, N.C. Arrick Hincher/QB, Cox Mill High School, Concord, N.C. Germone Hopper/RB-WR, Berry Academy, Charlotte, N.C. D.J. Humphries/OL, Mallard Creek High School, Charlotte, N.C. Uriah LeMay/WR/FS, Butler High School, Matthews N.C. Brandon Littlejohn/QB, Burns High School, Lawndale, N.C. Dee Littlejohn/FB-LB, Lincolnton High School, Lincolnton, N.C. Lee McNeill/QB, Porter Ridge High School, Indian Trail, N.C. Romeo Okwara/DE, Ardrey Kell High School, Charlotte, N.C. Quataye Smyre/WR/DB, South Iredell High School, Statesville, N.C. Damien Washington/QB, A.L. Brown High School, Kannapolis, N.C. Charles Wilkes/DE, Mooresville High School, Mooresville, N.C. JaDarrius Williams/RB, Sun Valley High School, Monroe, N.C.

The "Big 22" players will also be featured on "High School Football Extra Kickoff", a LIVE primetime special airing Wednesday, August 17 at 8 p.m. on WSOC-TV Channel 9. "High School Football Extra" will air Fridays on Channel 9 at 11:35 p.m. starting August 19.

• SLIDESHOW: 2010 Channel 9's "Big 22" Event At Panthers Practice Facility

• SLIDESHOW: 2010 "Big 22" Five Finalists Visit Channel 9 Studios

• SLIDESHOW: Anson's Stephone Anthony Wins 2010 "Big 22" Award

WSOC-TV is part of Cox Media Group.

About Cox Media Group

Cox Media Group, Inc. is an integrated broadcasting, publishing, direct marketing and digital media company that includes the national advertising rep firms of Cox Reps. With $1.8 billion in revenue, the company operations include 15 broadcast television stations and one local cable channel, 86 radio stations, eight daily newspapers and more than a dozen non-daily publications, and more than 100 digital services. Additionally, CMG owns and operates Valpak, one of the leading direct marketing companies in North America. For more information about Cox Media Group, please check us out online at coxmediagroup.com.

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