Vance, Roussell highlight all-area team

O'Rien Vance was the subject, and the multiple-choice question had an affirmative answer.

Middle linebacker? Outside linebacker? Defensive end?

'Yes,' said Cedar Rapids Washington coach Paul James. 'He rotated between them all depending on what we needed.

'More than anything, he's a wild card, and we pretty much give him freedom to go where he wants depending on what he sees.'

A junior who is being courted by several Big Ten schools, Vance is the Gazette/KCRG defensive player of the year.

'I got a lot stronger, and I think I became more of a leader,' Vance said. 'I knew what I needed to do based on down and distance.'

Coy Roussell, who rewrote the rushing department of the West Delaware record book, is the offensive player of the year.

Cedar Rapids Kennedy, which went 13-1 and reached the Class 4A state championship game (it lost, 41-10, to West Des Moines Dowling), landed four players on the 36-man team, led by overall player of the year Shaun Beyer, a University of Iowa commitment.

Beyer is joined by fellow Cougars Tyler Dralle, Mason Jacobs and Dalles Jacobus. Brian White is the area coach of the year.

Vance is one of three players named from Cedar Rapids Washington. Six-time defending state champion Iowa City Regina also has three, as does Class 2A runner-up Mount Vernon.

Cedar Rapids Jefferson, Dike-New Hartford, Iowa City West, South Tama and West Delaware had two honorees apiece.

All-Area Team

Vance collected 92.5 tackles — 75 solo, and 25 for loss — with four sacks, two interceptions and a fumble recovery as the Warriors went 10-2, won a district championship and reached the Class 4A quarterfinals. Both of their losses came to Kennedy.

'He made big play after big play for us,' James said. 'When we needed a forced fumble, an interception, a sack, he was there to make the play.'

Iowa and Michigan State are among those already on the trail of Vance, who stands 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds. Vance plans to make a decision next year.

Now, about that unconventional first name ...

'I was born the same year Men In Black came out,' Vance said. 'You know, Orion's Belt?'

Roussell leaves West Delaware with 10 career records and eight season records. Included are most rushing yards in a season (2,545) and career (5,495), and rushing touchdowns in a season (31) and career (68). He ran for 8.6 yards per carry this season.

'I like to consider myself a running back with good balance,' Roussell said. 'I'll go down and hit people, but I like to be loose on my feet.'

The Hawks were 12-1 and reached the Class 3A semifinals.

'This was a close senior class,' Roussell said. 'We loved football together and had a great year.'

Hawks Coach Doug Winkowitsch called Roussell, 'the whole package at running back.

'He has tremendous vision, balance and speed,' Winkowitsch said. 'You knew every time you gave Coy the ball, he was good for 8 or 9 yards. That's pretty reassuring.'

All-Area Team