15 Aug 2011 Players selected for first ‘501 Football Team’

Posted at 9:34 PMh in 501 Football Team by

by Levi Gilbert

This year, 501 LIFE is honored and privileged to present the inaugural 501 Football Team.

This team represents a goal of ours that’s been three years in the making. Since our first edition of 501 Football in 2008, we’ve wanted to select a team made up of players from every county in the 501, and this year everything fell into place.

But this isn’t just any team. While it does contain some all-conference selections, this is no all-star team. It’s much deeper than that.

Introducing the inaugural 501 Football Team – Lonnie Curtis (front, from left), Bigelow; Forrest Been, Morrilton; Dillion Winfrey, Bryant; Chase Roberts, Greenbrier; Austin Oberlag, Central Ark. Christian; Chase Boyles, Cabot; and Park Parish, Clinton; James Sax (back), Vilonia; Bradley Gann, Beebe; Kevin Johnson, Fountain Lake; Dallas Martin, Lonoke; Garrett Gurkin, Bald Knob; Tyler Plezia, Mayflower; Kipley Powell, Conway; and Tanner Stevenson, Conway Christian. (Not pictured – Blake Bratton, Magnet Cove; and Kevin Peterson, Quitman.)

These players represent a wealth of talent on the field – 14 of them were on playoff teams last fall, and five played on conference championship teams – but as you’ll read, it’s not just the on-the-field talent that makes these individuals stand out. It’s also their contributions in the classroom and their communities that make them special.

Players were nominated by their respective coaches and selected by the 501 Football staff. The selections for the inaugural 501 Football Team include:

  • Forrest Been / Sr. WR / Morrilton / “Forrest works hard and catches the ball well. He’s a smart football player . . . great teammate with high character and a good attitude.” – Coach Cody McNabb.
  • Chase Boyles / Sr. LB / Cabot / “Chase is the defensive leader on the field (105 tackles last year). He calls the defenses. He also leads by example, never loafs and always goes full speed.” – Coach Michael Malham.
  • Blake Bratton / Sr. OT/DT / Magnet Cove / “Blake is very coachable and knows his assignments and techniques. He is football smart and loves the game.” – Coach Ronnie Efird.
  • Lonnie Curtis / Sr. WR/DB / Bigelow / “Lonnie’s work ethic is unmatched on the field. If you ask him to do something, he gives 110 percent.” – Coach Jeff Starks.
  • Bradley Gann / Sr. LB/TE / Beebe / “Bradley is responsible, supportive and trustworthy. He is a leader and a good teammate.” – Coach John Shannon.
  • Garrett Gurkin / Sr. OT / Bald Knob / “Garrett was the leader of our line as a junior and set the tone of practice with his work ethic.” – Coach Paul Johnston.
  • Kevin Johnson / Sr. OT / Fountain Lake / “Kevin always helps his teammates and other people. He wants everybody else to succeed first.” – Coach Thomas Gilleran.
  • Dallas Martin / Sr. LB / Lonoke / “Dallas is an excellent student in the classroom. He always has a positive attitude on and off the field and pushes other teammates to do their best.” – Coach Doug Bost.
  • Austin Oberlag / Sr. DB/WR / Central Ark. Christian / “Austin is a young man of tremendous character. He is someone that his teammates and coaches can depend on and trust. He displays a positive attitude and is an encourager.” – Coach Tommy Shoemaker.
  • Park Parish / Sr. QB / Clinton / “Park is a great competitor who always respects opponents and makes other players play better.” – Coach Chris Dufrene.
  • Kevin Peterson / Sr. LB/RB / Quitman / “Kevin is tenacious on the field. His motor is running at top speed all the time. He NEVER takes a play off.” – Coach Fritz Heidenreich.
  • Tyler Plezia / Sr. DT/OT / Mayflower / “Tyler is always willing to help out. He will pick up the locker room without being asked. He’s a very aggressive player during the play, but as soon as the whistle blows, he will help his opponent up.” – Coach Jed Davis.
  • Kipley Powell / Sr. DB / Conway / “Kipley plays all out from whistle to whistle. He just loves to compete. He’s a leader on the field, in the locker room and in the classroom.” – Coach Clint Ashcraft.
  • Chase Roberts / Sr. QB / Greenbrier / “Chase is fair and honest. He’s an encourager, he cares more about others and will do anything for the team.” – Coach Randy Tribble.
  • James Sax / Jr. RB/DB / Vilonia / “James is a hard worker and a person who truly cares for each of his teammates.” – Coach Jim Stanley.
  • Tanner Stevenson / Jr. QB/WR / Conway Christian / “Tanner has high character, puts God first in all he does and leads by example.” – Coach Michael Carter.
  • Dillion Winfrey / Sr. WR/CB/KR/PR / Bryant / “Dillion is a fierce competitor but always conducts himself with class. He sacrifices what could be gaudy stats on offense to help his team on defense and special teams. I categorize him as one of the most unselfish players I’ve ever coached.” – Coach Paul Calley.

When we first met these players at our photo shoot in June, it was easy to see why these young men had been chosen. It was a typically hot and oppressive June afternoon in Arkansas, but not a single complaint could be heard among any of the young men as they patiently waited during the hour-plus long shoot. True character!

These student athletes represent the best of the best in the 501, and it will be a true joy to follow them throughout their individual journeys on the field this fall. Best wishes to them all, and here’s to a great year of football in the 501!

(Look for more in-depth coverage on each 501 Football Team selection in 501 Football 2011 and our weekly e-newsletter, 501 LIFE Extra. Sign up at here to receive Extra instantly in your inbox.)