Maine Central Institute of Pittsfield, which posted its best season in many years, placed eight players on the LTC Class C Football All-Star Team.

The team was selected recently by the six head coaches of the LTC Class C schools. The players will be honored at the annual awards banquet, scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 12, at 4 p.m. at Jeff’s Catering in Bangor.

Members of the All-LTC teams will be recognized at the affair, while the LTC Players of the Year and the LTC Coaches of the Year are to be announced.

Class C state champion Stearns of Millinocket landed six athletes on the squad, while John Bapst of Bangor placed five, Dexter four and Bucksport one.

John Cornett of John Bapst, the 1990 LTC Class C Player of the Year, heads the list of six two-way selections. Other players earning recognition at two positions are MCI’s Aaron Cianchette, Kirby Reardon, John Watson and Brian Smith of Dexter, and Stearns’ Craig Beers.

MCI’s all-star lineup also includes OT Chris Heaton, TE Jon Hughes, WB Jon DeSisto, DT Rutledge King, LBs Chuck Norris and Sean Callahan and FS Jethro Ferguson. Offensive guard Andy Hanscom, HB Lateef O’Connor, punter Rob Frost, WB Jason Morrow, and NG Steve Brown are Stearns’ other all-league picks.

Joining Cornett among John Bapst’s All-LTC picks are OT Kevin Mailepors, TE Ken Rassi, DG Ben Aldrich, and LB Julio DeSanctis. Also honored were Dexter OG Ted Gerickont and Bucksport CB David Walker.

Cornett, a 5-foot-7, 160-pound speedster, was the heart and soul of the Crusaders. On offense, the elusive quarterback carried 192 times for 1,050 yards and completed 21 of 49 passes for 305 yards. Cornett also was John Bapst’s leading tackler out of his free safety spot, where he had a tendency to be near the football. He had three interceptions.

Reardon was an inspirational leader for the Tigers. The 5-9, 175-pounder powered Dexter’s run game while running for 926 yards and 10 touchdowns on 127 carries. At defensive end, Reardon was in on 41 tackles and made three interceptions.

Cianchette, a bruising 5-10, 195-pounder, was a potent weapon in the Huskies’ offensive attack. MCI’s fullback carried 177 times for 940 yards. Cianchette used his strength to best advantage and sparked MCI from his strong safety position.

Watson was a leader for the Tigers as a two-way choice in the line. Although not particularly big at 5-9, 165, he anchored the Dexter offense at center. Watson was in on 65 tackles at defensive tackle and had six sacks and three fumble recoveries.

Beers emerged as a major impact player for the Minutemen. The 6-1, 195-pound defensive end was in on 84 tackles, including seven quarterback sacks, and blocked four punts. At tight end, Beers made 13 catches for 277 yards and two TDs.

Smith was a pivotal performer on both sides of the ball for the Tigers. The 5-9, 170-pounder was credited for 80 tackles (22 unassisted) as Dexter’s free safety. Smith also was recognized for his placekicking ability, hitting seven of 11 PATs and four of six field-goal attempts.

Here’s a brief look at the rest of the LTC Class C stars: Ben Aldrich, John Bapst (5-10, 185): won praise for his determination and relentless hustle with 49 tackles, two sacks. catches while scoring six TDs. Steve Brown, Stearns (5-10, 210): his quickness, strength and ability to read the play made him a key cog for the Minutemen. He led Stearns in tackles with 122 and had nine sacks. Sean Callahan, MCI (5-10, 220): shook off a nagging injury to have a banner season for the Huskies. He had a knack for tracking down ballcarriers.

Julio DeSanctis, John Bapst (6-0, 195): was an inspirational leader and defensive catalyst with 80 total tackles and four sacks.

Jon DeSisto, MCI (5-9, 160): developed himself into an unselfish and successful blocker for the Huskies and provided MCI with quickness in the backfield.

Jethro Ferguson, MCI (6-4, 195): was the Huskies’ last line of defense. He ranked second on the team with 81 total tackles and excelled vs. the run.

Rob Frost, Stearns (5-10, 210): was a pivotal element of the Stearns defense as the punter. He netted 956 yards on 27 tries, a 35.4-yard average.

Ted Gerickont, Dexter (5-11, 180): has benefitted from his extensive off-season weight work to become one of the LTC’s quickest and strongest guards.

Andy Hanscom, Stearns (6-1, 195): was a great trap blocker and the heart of the Stearns offensive line, which gave up only four sacks.

Chris Heaton, MCI (6-1, 250): was big and strong, yet plenty agile. He showed his willingness to work, serving as the heart of the Huskies’ offensive line.

Jon Hughes, MCI (5-11, 210): combined his blocking skills with good hands while playing a key role in the Huskies’ offensive unit.

Rutledge King, MCI (6-1, 250): sure he was big, but he also was able to run down running backs from behind because of his excellent quickness.

Kevin Mailepors, John Bapst (5-11, 185): lauded by his coach for giving 100 percent on every play and for his exceptional blocking.

Jason Morrow, Stearns (5-10, 175): was a hard-nosed runner and sure-handed receiver for the Minutemen. He netted 436 yards rushing and 163 passing on 10 catches.

Chuck Norris, MCI (6-1, 205): continued his rapid development into an impact player last fall for the Huskies. Norris led MCI with 127 total tackles.

Lateef O’Connor, Stearns (6-1, 175): was a versatile running back and receiver for the Minutemen with 656 yards and nine TDs on 139 carries and eight catches for 128 yards.

Ken Rassi, John Bapst (6-7, 240): exhibited outstanding improvement, steady hands and strong blocking with six catches for 90 yards.

David Walker, Bucksport (5-10, 155): didn’t possess great size, but was the Golden Bucks’ defensive leader, making 70 total tackles (two sacks).

LTC CLASS C FOOTBALL ALL-STAR TEAM

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

Name School Pos. Yr.

John Cornett John Bapst QB Sr.

Aaron Cianchette MCI FB Sr.

Kirby Reardon Dexter HB Sr.

Lateef O’Connor Stearns HB Jr.

Jon DeSisto MCI WB Sr.

Jason Morrow Stearns WB Sr.

Jon Hughes MCI TE Sr.

Craig Beers Stearns TE Sr.

Ken Rassi John Bapst TE Jr.

Kevin Mailepors John Bapst OT Jr.

Chris Heaton MCI OT Sr.

Ted Gerickont Dexter OG Jr.

Andy Hanscom Stearns OG Sr.

John Watson Dexter OC Sr.

Brian Smith Dexter PK Jr.

Rob Frost Stearns P Sr.

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

Name School Pos. Yr.

Julio DeSanctis John Bapst LB Sr.

Aaron Cianchette MCI SS Sr.

Chuck Norris MCI LB Jr.

Sean Callahan MCI LB Sr.

John Cornett John Bapst FS Sr.

Jethro Ferguson MCI FS Sr.

Brian Smith Dexter FS Jr.

David Walker Bucksport CB Sr.

Craig Beers Stearns DE Sr.

Kirby Reardon Dexter DE Sr.

Steve Brown Stearns NG Jr.

Ben Aldrich John Bapst DG Jr.

Rutledge King MCI DT Jr.

John Watson Dexter DT Sr.

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

Name School Pos. Yr.

Kevin LeGassey Stearns QB Jr.

Tate Weatherford John Bapst FB Jr.

Chuck Norris MCI FB Jr.

Trevor Boutaugh Stearns FB Jr.

Art Maguire Bucksport WB Sr.

Chris Jeffers MDI FL Jr.

Aaron Tibbetts MDI SE Jr.

Rutledge King MCI OT Jr.

Ben Ward John Bapst OT Jr.

Steve Brown Stearns OT Jr.

Lewis Jackson MCI OG Sr.

Ben McKay MDI OG Soph.

Sean Brooks John Bapst OC Jr.

Colby Wyatt MCI OC Sr.

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

Name School Pos. Yr.

Bubba Shorey Bucksport LB Sr.

Josh Stark John Bapst LB Jr.

Howie Alley Stearns LB Jr.

Jason Morrow Stearns SS Sr.

Tom James MDI DB Jr.

Mark Baxter John Bapst CB Soph.

Adam Francis MCI DB Sr.

Drew O’Connor Stearns FS Soph.

Bill Sloan Stearns CB Jr.

Tate Weatherford John Bapst DE Jr.

Nate Hall John Bapst DE Soph.

Jon Hughes MCI DE Sr.

Andy Hanscom Stearns NG Sr.

Matt Davis Bucksport DT Sr.

Todd Orcutt Bucksport DT Sr.

Chris Blanchette MDI DT Jr.

Chris Heaton MCI DT Sr.