As thousands of coaches, fans, parents, and athletic directors poured into the JW Marriott Wednesday night for the Touchdown Club of Houston 42nd Annual IW Marks Touchdowner of the Year Dinner, all who attended had a feeling this was a special night.

On this night, not only was the Touchdown Club honoring one of Texas’ top football players of the late 1960s, but they were also going to announce the 2007 Preseason All-Greater Houston Team. This year’s Touchdowner Award went to former SMU All-American football player Jerry LeVias.

Craig Roberts, local television and radio personality, was the evening’s emcee. After the national anthem, prayer, and a message from the TD Club President (Charles McClelland), Keith Kilgore announced each of the high school players. All of the players were recognized, and each of them had a short biography written, which included their accomplishments on and off the field.

When this was completed, it was time to honor the 2007 Touchdowner of the Year, LeVias. LeVias was the first African-American player to receive a scholarship in the Southwest Conference. He entered SMU in 1965, and changed the racial makeup of the entire conference.

In recognition of his accomplishments, friends and colleagues of LeVias spoke of their individual relationships with him. Mario Dell’Osso and Travis Johnson spoke, along with former teammate Rufus Cormier, and Kelly Fry, son of Hayden Fry, LeVias' head coach at SMU.  All had kind words to say about LeVias.

The night ended with LeVias thanking friends and giving words of wisdom to the high school athletes in attendance.

2007 High School Preseason All-Greater Houston Team

OFFENSE
Quarterbacks -- Andrew Luck, Stratford; Darren Thomas, Aldine.

Running Backs -- Aundre Dean, Katy; Jeremy Hills, Elsik; Sam McGuffie, Cy-Fair; Jacquizz Rodgers, Lamar Consolidated.

Offensive Linemen -- Emmanuel Aluko, Elsik; Daniel Campbell, Aldine; Leroy Chevalier, Yates; J.B. Shugarts, Klein.

Wide Receivers -- Darius Austin, Booker T. Washington; DeSean Hales, Klein Oak; Darryl Stonum, Dulles; Isaiah Sweeny, Hightower.

Athletes -- Gahn McGaffie, Galena Park; Michael Thomas, Nimitz.

DEFENSE
Defensive Linemen -- Jeremy Coleman, FB Marshall; Roderick Davis, Eisenhower; Damion Squares, Yates; Jowyn Ward, Mayde

Creek.

Linebackers -- Greg Burks, Spring Woods; Will Ebner, Friendswood; Herman Mitchell, Westfield; Blake Slaughter, Elkins.

Defensive Backs -- D.J. Monroe, Angleton; Ugo Okpara, Dulles; Nick Saenz, Pearland; Johnny Thomas, Texas City.

Kicker-Punter -- Randy Bullock, Klein; Randy Doerr, Katy.

 

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