The numbers, on the other hand, don’t tell you much of anything about East Rowan’s Danny Misenheimer.

Sturdivant, long, lean and smooth as butter makes it all look easy. Misenheimer, stocky, muscular and thick as Donald Trump’s money clip is all churning legs and arms and unceasing effort.

The two are opposites. But they have a couple of things in common. Both are winners. Both are headed for the 1999 Shrine Bowl. And both have been named Rowan County Players of the Year for 1999.

Sturdivant, the record-setting quarterback, and Misenheimer, a destructive defensive lineman, join West’s youthful coach Scott Young, architect of the Falcons’ stunning turnaround, as the Post’s top honorees for this past football season.

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There were many fine offensive players in the county. West back Scooter Dalton rushed for over 1000 yards. East’s Cal Hayes was electrifying. South’s 140-pound Keith Garrett was astonishing.

Still, the voting for offensive player of the year took, oh, about two seconds. The voting coaches and writers walked into the room and said “Mario” in unison and moved on to other business.

Sturdivant is the top offensive player for the second consecutive season, and how could he not be? He threw for 2,346 yards and 23 touchdowns, while cutting his interception total — his one trouble spot — from 25 to 11. Not bad for 311 attempts.

Sturdivant expressed pride in his improved decision-making and the way that 6-6 North battled its way into the 2A state playoffs.

“Look it up,” said Sturdivant, “we didn’t lose to any bad teams.”

He’s right. North lost to 4A Scotland County, West Rowan, Kannapolis, Ledford, High Point Central and Brevard. All playoff teams except 8-3 West.

Sturdivant richly deserved his selection to the Shrine team, but didn’t assume the honor would come his way even with his coach, Roger Secreast, on the Shrine staff.

“Not too many from North get to go,” Sturdivant said candidly. “This makes me and Jeff (Chambers in ‘96) in the ‘90s. It’s been a dream for a long time. You play in the Shrine and you play against the best. It gives you recognition.”

Sturdivant’s football future is bright. He admits that he got a late start academically, but he’s now making strides. The slender 6-3 slinger is also hitting the weight room in earnest for the first time.

“I know I need to get stronger,” he said, “but I think I’ve showed that I can take a lick. I took some licks this season, but I always bounced right back up.”

Sturdivant got the last licks in on lots of opposing coaches, none of whom will forget him.

“He’s the best high school quarterback I’ve seen,” said Young. “He was unbelievable on game films and more unbelievable in games.”

“The thing is,” said South coach Rick Vanhoy, “Mario’s mobility is better than his arm and his arm’s pretty darned good.”

“I couldn’t relax for a second when Mario was on the field,” added Salisbury coach Raymond Daugherty.

North has dominated offensive player of the year awards in the county in the ‘90s, winning eight of 10. Joining Sturdivant as repeat winners were fellow QBsMitch Ellis (1993-94) and Carvie Kepley (91-92). QB Craig Powers (1996) and receiver Shannon Myers (1990) were one-time Cavalier winners.

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North offensive lineman Jarrett Wishon is one of Misenheimer’s best friends. There were many nights last summer when they could be seen at Newman Park, watching a little Legion baseball and sharing a not-so-little box of fried chicken.

But when East played North, Misenheimer’s legendary intensity never wavered.

“We’re great friends, but Danny always brought it to me,” said Wishon.

Wishon will be cheering hard for his buddy in the Shrine Bowl. So will coaches around the county, although they’re not all that sad to see the big guy go.

“We had a fit with him,” said Young. “We just tried to run wherever he wasn’t.”

“Danny is one of the best football players to come through here in a long time,” said Vanhoy. “He was great on both sides of the ball. Most guys who go both ways take a break on one side or the other. Danny never did. At least not against us. He’s an athlete. He’s not just some big ol’ lineman.”

One of the few people tough enough to play a joke on Misenheimer is his father, Darrell.

When Danny came home from school recently, his dad informed him that he was disappointed that Danny hadn’t made theShrine Bowl list.

“Thirty minutes later, he finally told me I did make it after all,” said Danny. “I was shocked. I’m not the biggest guy around (6-0, 250 pounds).”

For the younger Misenheimer, the best thing about his selection is that he has duplicated one of his dad’s proudest accomplishments. Darrell was a Mustang Shrine Bowler in 1974.

“To follow in his footsteps and to carry on the family tradition, that’s all I’ve ever tried to do and ever wanted to do,” said Misenheimer.”

Misenheimer, who beat out West’s Jason Fink for top honors, is on the all-county team for the fourth straight season. He’s the first to go 4-for-4 since North’s Jeff Chambers (1993-96).

Misenheimer follows former teammate AdamHorton as defensive player of the year and gives East five of 10 winners this decade.

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There’s no doubt that West has the least amount of football tradition among the five county schools.

West has had an occasional Rowan County Coach of the Year (the last one was Ron Raper, who shared the award in ‘94), but hasn’t had the top offensive player since Donald Gray in 1983 and hasn’t had the top defender since L.C. Lynch in 1982.

But Young, who nipped South’s Vanhoy, may be on his way to changing the perception that West football is just something to do to keep in shape for basketball.

Behind Young’s leadership, West became only the third team in school history to win as many as eight games.

“West wasn’t in the playoffs,” said Vanhoy. “But I guarantee you they were a playoff caliber team.”

Young modestly credits an increased talent pool for West’s rise from 3-8 in ‘98 to 8-3 this season — tying the biggest one-year surge in school annals.

“Coach of the Year isn’t just an honor for me, it’s an honor for the coaching staff and the kids,” said Young. “They were hard workers.”

The next goal for Young, who interrupted a three-year run by East’s Jeff Safrit as top coach, is to beat Concord and/or Kannapolis and make some waves in the 3A state playoffs.

“We have just one small step to go,” said Young. “But in a lot of ways it’s the toughest step of all.”