Sports Editor

After helping to lead the Black Bears to their second regional title in three seasons, Harlan County running back Jake Middleton and defensive back Treyvon Long were named second team all-state on Friday by the Associated Press. Harlan County linebacker Carson Whitehead and Harlan quarterback Ty Saragas were named honorable mentions, while Long was also named an honorable mention at wide receiver.

Middleton led the state’s top rushing attack with 2,141 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2012. Long had four interceptions on the defensive side of the ball, while Whitehead led the team in tackles with 191 stops.

“That is a pretty big honor. It is selected by the sportswriters and it’s pretty hard to achieve something like that. As a coach, I have had very few players to earn that honor, and even honorable mention is something to be proud of,” said Harlan County coach Tom Larkey. “All of these kids have really put in a lot of time, and this just shows that that their talent has been recognized throughout the state. I am really proud of them.”

Saragas helped to change the football identity during his time at Harlan. Because of his talents under center, the Green Dragons transitioned from a ground-oriented attack to relying more on the passing game. As a senior, Saragas completed 121-of-210 passes for 1,902 yards and 23 touchdowns.

“Ty deserves to be in that select group. He has really worked hard and is very intelligent,” said Harlan coach J.B. Donahue. “Ty has put a lot of time and work into his craft, and I am glad that he is getting recognized for it.”

Louisville Trinity’s James Quick was named Mr. Football. Quick hauled in 85 passes for 1,416 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior.

Pleasure Ridge Park’s Jason Hiser was named the state’s coach of the year. Hiser took over the football program at the Louisville school in 2009 after former coach Jason Stinson was charged with reckless homicide following the heat-related death of Max Gilpin the year before. Stinson was acquitted, but Hiser had to start over with a small staff and no junior varsity. Two losing seasons followed before PRP reached the second round of the Class 6A playoffs. The Panthers went even further this year, going 14-0 and reaching their first state championship game before losing 61-7 to Louisville Trinity.

The AP All-State teams included:

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

QB — Donovan McCoy, Highlands; RB — Dalyn Dawkins, Trinity; RB — Jeffrey Canady, Knox Central; WR — James Quick, Trinity; WR — Ryan Timmons, Franklin County; WR — Nacarius Fant, Bowling Green; OL — Hunter Bivin, Apollo; OL — Joey Bloomfield, Ballard; OL — Mitch Dee, Highlands; OL — Chris Doss, John Hardin; OL — Andrew Carlisle, Owensboro Catholic; K — Damir Karapandzic, Danville.

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

DL — Jason Hatcher, Trinity; DL — Jabari Jordan, Trinity; DL — Seth Hope, Highlands; DL — Jacob Hyde, Clay County; DL — Tevin Slaughter, Somerset; LB — Lincoln Quick, Bowling Green; LB — Jonathan Jackson, Mayfield; LB — Domonick Brown, John Hardin; LB — Deonte Clyburn, St. Xavier; DB — Ryan White, Trinity; DB — Dennis Oxendine, Tates Creek; DB — Allen Gonsalves, Bowling Green; DB — Richard Trent, Breathitt County; DB — Shane Fields, Eastern; P — Jeffrey Canady, Knox Central.

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

QB — Kyle Bolin, Lexington Catholic; QB — Travis Wright, Trinity; RB — Jonathan Jackson, Mayfield; RB — Kentayvus Hopkins, Bourbon County; RB — Jake Middleton, Harlan County; RB — Chris Brewer, Fairview; RB — A.J. Collins, Cooper; RB — Charles Walker, St. Xavier; RB — Nick Britt, Russell County; WR — Scott Daniel, Scott County; WR — Jordan Olinger, Hazard; WR — Tez Sivils, Caldwell County; WR — Aaron Jackson, Frankfort; OL — Jonathan Burnett, Bell County; OL — Cody Chaffin, South Warren; OL — Zach Taylor, Belfry; OL — Matt Boston, Glasgow; OL — Derick Jude, Belfry; OL — Hunter Harris, Graves County; OL — Alex Hogan, Meade County; OL — Chandler McPherson, Monroe County; K — Jacob Tompkins, Mason County; K — Houston Ray, Owensboro Catholic.

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

DL — Cole Webster, Caldwell County; DL — Derik Overstreet, Paducah Tilghman; DL — Eli Wilson, Graves County; DL — Matt Elam, John Hardin; DL — D.J. Warwick, Bell County; LB — Max Nussbaum, Beechwood; LB — Matt Jewell, Corbin; LB — Donald Styles, Central; LB — Jalen Fleming, John Hardin; DB — Treyvon Long, Haran County; DB — Dylan Hayes, Newport Central Cath.; DB — Darrius Spivey-Nunn, Paducah Tilghman; DB — Cade O’Bryan, Ashland; DB — Kentayvus Hopkins, Bourbon County; DB — Matthew Barger, Knox Central; P — Hans Mikelsoo, Fleming County.