Thirty-three players were named to the 1999 team, three more than the previous record number of honorees in 1998 and three times more than were recognized when the Post came out with its inaugural listing of 11 elite players way back in 1961.

There were 23 players on the super team in 1968 when the Post selected players of the year and a coach of the year for the first time. And there were still 23 when the Post ran that now familiar full-color photo of the entire team for the first time in 1979.

But let’s call the expansion of the all-county team progress.

True, it’s easier to make the all-county team now than it was a decade ago, but it’s also difficult to argue that any of the 33 players on this year’s unit don’t deserve inclusion. In fact, you could make a case for another dozen who missed out, including the consensus best athlete in the county — West Rowan wide receiver Scooter Sherrill, who was a force whenever he was healthy.

But why so many players, you ask?

First, there were ties at the offensive line and defensive back positions.

Second, there was the decision to include a couple of extra players on both sides of the ball.

That’s something that’s been done in the past on all-county baseball teams. In baseball, the Post has often used the “utility player” concept to take care of inequities caused by talent overloads at places like shortstop, where every team puts a key performer.

In trying to name an all-county football team for ‘99, there were similar talent overloads at running back, wide receiver and linebacker.

The county’s top pair in rushing yardage, West’s Scooter Dalton and South’s Keith Garrett, were locks for the two available all-county running back berths, but where did that leave Falcon bull Jonathan Diggs, who led the world in yards per carry, and exciting East sophomore CalHayes, who had three kickoff returns for TDs?

“Heck,” said East coach Jeff Safrit, pleading Hayes’ case, “without Cal we may not score a point this year.”

Hayes and Diggs made it technically as “extra men.” But it wasn’t watering down. It was justice.

The linebacker scenario, even with 150-pound East star Thomas Hendrickson penciled into a defensive line spot,was even tougher.

The Post figured on three backers.

But North offered Brian Alford, the unquestioned heart and soul of its defense.

Salisbury nominated the awesome Ken Drye of whom coach Raymond Daugherty said, “If Ken Drye ain’t all-county, we shouldn’t have a team.” And Daugherty was right.

So was South coach Rick Vanhoy, who spoke up for Darryl Childers. “We’ve all got one kid that just has to make this team,” said Vanhoy. “Hey, Darryl’s our guy.” Vanhoy also nominated Joel Reyes, who was as good as anyone in the county down the stretch.

West offered the powerful pair of S.J. Culbertson and James Francis, who teamed up to dominate games.

Then there was Safrit, who couldn’t believe there was any sane reason why Chris Faavesi shouldn’t make the team. He was right, too.

Five backers eventually did make it. Two outstanding players — Reyes and Francis —didn’t.

Five county coaches and five Post writers voted.

Eight players each from West Rowan and South Rowan made the squad. There were seven from East, six from North and four from Salisbury.

South picked up twice as many all-county players as in 1998 thanks to its late playoff run. The Raider representatives are offensive linemen Brian Billings and Patrick Gaddy, kicker Robby Basinger, Garrett, tight end Daniel Pinyan, brothers Darryl and RickyChilders (defensive back) and defensive lineman Joe Finney. Darryl Childers and Billings were honored for the second time.

West honorees include Dalton, Diggs, offensive linemen Matt Moore and BryanFrench, receiver Justin Davis, Culbertson, defensive lineman Jason Fink and DBHoratio Everhart. West also doubled its numbers from ‘98. Davis was the only repeater.

East representatives are Chris Faavesi and his brother, offensive lineman Henry Faavesi, receiver Brent Lambert, Hayes, Hendrickson, DBIssac Washington and defensive lineman Danny Misenheimer. Washington, Hayes, Hendrickson and Henry Faavesi made the team for the second time. Misenheimer was honored for the fourth consecutive year.

North representatives included offensive lineman Jarrett Wishon, quarterback Mario Sturdivant, receivers Dre Byrd and Alfonzo Miller, Alford and defensive lineman Marcus Lawing. Byrd was honored for the second time and Sturdivant for the third.

Salisbury placed DBs JustinJohnson and Markeice Daugherty, Drye and punter Michael Blount on the team.

Vanhoy pointed out that his South team went 0-3 against West, North and East in a year that it went 3-0 against the Winston-Salem area schools for the first time.

‘That tells you a little something about Rowan football” he said. “East, North and West weren’t also-rans. Those were pretty darned good football teams. And Salisbury had talented athletes. Four of Salisbury’s losses were in the county. So were three of ours and two of East’s. I’d say we just beat each other up.”