Above: Ellis McCarthy (18) putting the hurt on Andy Guerrero.

(WHARTON, N.J.) Dec. 21, 2011–The U.S. Army All-American Bowl Selection Committee has announced the six finalists for the prestigious Anthony Muoz Lineman of the Year award, given to the top prep lineman in the country. Muoz is regarded by many as the top offensive lineman in professional football history and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame after 12 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. He was honored in being named to the NFL’s 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, as well as to the NFL’s 1980s All-Decade Team. Muoz’ college career was played at the University of Southern California where he was a two-time All-American 1978-79. The winner of the award will be announced at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Awards Dinner on January 6, 2012, in San Antonio.

The 2011 Anthony Muoz Lineman of the Year award recipient was U.S. Army All-American Ray Drew of Thomasville, Ga., who is now with the Georgia Bulldogs. The 2010 recipient was Seantrel Henderson from St. Paul, Minn., who is currently the starting right tackle for the Miami Hurricanes.

For more than a decade, the U.S. Army All-American Bowl has been the Nation’s premier high school football game, serving as the preeminent launching pad for America’s future college and NFL stars. Adrian Peterson, Mark Sanchez, Tim Tebow, Ndamukong Suh, Marcus Lattimore, and Andrew Luck all made their national debuts as U.S. Army All-Americans. The 2011 U.S. Army All-American Bowl drew a crowd of nearly 38,000 to the Alamodome, and was the most-watched sporting event on television over the weekend, excluding the NFL playoffs.

2011 FINALISTS
Darius Hamilton, Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, NJ), DL
DJ Humphries, Mallard Creek High (Charlotte, NC) OL
Kyle Kalis, St. Edward High (Lakewood, OH) OL
Ellis McCarthy, Monrovia High (Monrovia, CA) DL
Kyle Murphy San Clemente High (San Clemente, CA) OL
Adolphus Washington, Taft High (Cincinnati, OH) DL