By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor

Five members of the Osceola Kowboys and one Gateway Panther were selected to the Associated Press Class 7A all-state football team last week.

Osceola running back Stafon McCray, the Osceola News-Gazette Offensive Player of the Year, and guard Josh Phelps were first-team selections.

McCray was a third-team all-state selection last year.

Kowboys defensive back Hassan Childs, the News-Gazette’s Defensive Player of the Year, was a second-team all-state selection.

Receiving honorable mention were Osceola defensive lineman Peter Bailey and linebacker Mikeice Adams.

All are seniors except Adams, a junior.

Kowboys Coach Doug Nichols said his players deserved the recognition after playing key roles in Osceola’s 13-1 season and state semifinal appearance.

“That was great for those guys to be recognized for the hard work that they have put in this year and kind of sets the bar for the group next year,” he said. “It was good for Mikeice to make it also. I think he is really going to turn some heads next year and I believe Riley (Nicholson) might have made it also if he would have stayed healthy.”

Nicholson, a sophomore linebacker, was injured midway through the season.

Gateway senior running back Zach Smith also received honorable mention.