By Bret Strelow
bstrelow@salisburypost.com
Tim Pangburn’s stint as an offensive tackle is likely over even though it was a resounding success.
Pangburn, running back K.P. Parks and defensive lineman Chris Smith ó key players in West Rowan’s run to the 3A championship ó were all voted onto The Associated Press all-state team. A.L. Brown defensive back Xavier Watson also made the squad.
The 6-foot-1, 300-pound Pangburn was an offensive guard last year as a sophomore, and he moved to left tackle for the 2008 season. He made 102 knockdown blocks and allowed just two sacks for an offense that gained more than 6,000 yards.
Joe Nixon’s tutelage made Pangburn’s transition easier.
“First thing, he had to work,” West head coach Scott Young said. “We have a great O-line coach, and they worked on his pass-protection technique. He was a little more exposed on the edge, but he did a good job.”
Pangburn has a better chance to play as an interior lineman at the next level, and West’s coaches plan to use him as either a guard or center in 2009.
Parks, the county’s offensive player of the year, and Smith, the co-player of the year on defense, are also juniors.
Parks rushed for 219 yards and three touchdowns to earn MVP recognition following the Falcons’ 35-7 victory against West Craven in the 3A final. He gained 2,864 yards as a junior and has 7,121 in his career. He needs one more touchdown to reach the century mark.
Smith had 26 sacks and 84 tackles for a defense that allowed fewer than eight points in 11 of 16 games.
West had two all-state selections in 2006 (Tristan Dorty, David Melton) and one in 2007 (Justin Avery).
“Finally breaking through and winning the state championship has a lot to do with this,” Young said. “I’m so pleased for them, and I’m honored that the media views our players as really good players.”Watson was a senior captain for the Wonders, who reached the 3AA final. He had 103 tackles and seven interceptions.