Eleven Dixie Football Players Named to All-State Team

December 12, 2002 – Eight Dixie players were named to the 2002 Virginia College Division Football All-State First Team, while three others were named Honorable Mention. Christopher Newport's Mario Marin, Aaron Bennett and Jason Chandler, Shenandoah's Michael Doleman, Gregg Anderson and Chris Gillette and Ferrum's Kelvin Fuller and Darren Venable were all named First Team. CNU's Tommy Fitzgerald, SU's Ben Willard and FC's Brett Griffin were given Honorable Mention. The team is selected by the Virginia Sports Information Directors, with nominees coming from any Division II, III, NAIA or NCAA affiliated school in Virginia.
Marin, a sophomore from Portsmouth, VA, rushed for 890 yards and six touchdowns this year. The running back was named Second Team All-Conference. Bennett, a sophomore from Virginia Beach, VA, anchored an offensive line that helped the Captains rush for 2,240 yards. He was named First Team All-Conference for his efforts. Chandler, a Chesapeake, VA sophomore, recorded 29 solo and 20 assisted tackles, as well as 10 sacks, this season. The defensive lineman was selected First Team All-Conference this year and was Second Team in 2001. Doleman, a junior defensive end, had 29 solo and 25 assisted tackles on the year. The Berryville, VA native also had three sacks and forced four fumbles. He was First Team All-Conference this season and was the 2000 Co-Rookie of the Year. Anderson, a senior from Clifton, VA, recorded 43 solo and 42 assisted tackles this season. The free safety was named First Team All-Conference in 2001 and 2002. Gillette, a freshman from Woodbridge, VA, averaged 9.8 yards per punt return and 26 yards per kickoff return this year. He was named First Team All-Conference. Fuller, a Norfolk, VA senior, had 40 solo and 56 assisted tackles on the season. The linebacker is a three-time First Team All-Conference. Venable, a sophomore defensive back, recorded 38 solo and 61 assisted tackles this year. The Covington, VA native was named the 2002 DIAC Defensive Player of the Year. He was First Team All-Conference this year and Second Team in 2001.
Fitzgerald, a sophomore from Chatham, VA, was part of an offensive line that helped CNU rush for 2,240 yards this season. He was named First Team All-Conference in 2002 and Second Team in 2001. Willard, a junior from Trumansburg, NY, averaged 35.3 yards per punt this season. He was Second Team All-Conference in 2001. Griffin, a Jupiter, FL senior, recorded 17 solo and 27 assisted tackles and four sacks on the season. The defensive end was First Team All-Conference in 2002 and Second Team in 2001.

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