Poteau tight end, Talihina cornerback makes All-State Team; first-year Pirate coach to be head East team coach; Several other locals are alternates as they're on the All-State by Class List

December 19, 2012

ALL-STATE HONORS — Poteau's Troy Barnett, left, was named to the Class 4A All-State by Class List by the Oklahoma Coaches Association. Poteau's first-year coach, Greg Werner, center, and tight end, Jay Werner, both were named to the All-State East Football Team, as head coach and tight end, respectively. PDN photo by David Seeley

Several Poteau High School football players were honored by District 4A-4. Now, a first-year Pirate has received the highest prep honor.
Poteau tight end Jay Werner was named to the East team of the All-State Football Team, which was announced last weekend by the Oklahoma Coaches Association. The All-State Game will be July 26 in Tulsa.
Werner, who was a Pirate for the first time after several years as a Broken Bow Savage, won't be the only Werner on the East team. His dad, Greg, who coached the Poteau Pirates for the first time after several seasons at Broken Bow, was named as the head coach of the East team.
The Werners won't be the only LeFlore County people on the East team. Talihina cornerback Trevor Crone also made the team.
There are several other LeFlore County football players who are alternates to the East team as they were named to the All-State by Class List.
Poteau lineman Troy Barnett (Class 4A), Heavener running back Blake Smittle (Class 3A) and Talihina quarterback Clark Austin and center Caleb Sharp (Class A) made the list. Should anyone on the current East team not be able to make the game in July, these individuals could be called to replace them.
Editor's note — Look for stories about the All-District 3A-8, 2A-6, A-6 and C-4 Teams in later editions this month.