Bernard Wolley insists none of it matters.

The Montgomery County 3A League Defensive Player of the Year award; the Montgomery County 3A League First Team Defensive Lineman award; the First Team All-Gazette Defensive Lineman award; Honorable Mention Washington Post All-Met honors; Honorable Mention All-State honors; Team Most Valuable Player…

What are those -- ego boosters? Vanity stimulants?

So he's had his name printed in a newspaper a few times - so what?

Sure, Bernard Wolley is proud of all he's accomplished in just three years at Seneca Valley. Sure, the 5-foot-10, 220-pound defensive tackle appreciates the recognition. But it's not something he desires.

"I don't see the need for personal accolades; I don't look to be recognized," Wolley said. "Stats don't mean anything. Awards don't mean anything. It doesn't make a difference what people say. The only thing that matters is this team."

When Wolley walks down the halls of Seneca's athletic wing, he can't help but notice the trophies, the plaques and the wall of past greats like Mike Muller (class of '77; USFL), Eric Drain (class of '82; Arizona Cardinals) and his personal favorite, Jason Johnson ("I've seen film on him and he plays just like I do."). One day, Wolley may see his own name etched in the Screamin' Eagles Hall of Frame.

Wolley shakes his head. That would be nice, he says. It would be a dream, he allows. But Seneca Valley has never been about individual honors.

"One player has not gotten Seneca Valley to be one of the best programs in the state," said Screamin' Eagles coach Fred Kim.

This is a program that has won 12 state titles since 1975, the most in Maryland high school football history. The Screamin' Eagles have had eight perfect seasons and have lost a total of 69 games in 34 years.

Last season, however, they finished 6-4 and did not qualify for the playoffs. It was their worst year since 2000.

Perhaps that's why Bernard Wolley genuinely doesn't care about individual accolades. Perhaps that's why Wolley has one single focus in 2010: restore Seneca Valley to their rightful place.

""This is my last year and I want to win a state championship," Wolley said. "That's the ultimate goal."

Like it or not, Seneca won't be going to a state championship without Wolley's contributions. There's a reason he was voted team MVP last year: Wolley impacts the Eagles the same way Nebraska defensive tackle and Heisman finalist Ndamukong Suh impacts the Huskers.

Wolley literally controls games from the line. He's either wreaking havoc in the backfield or taking on multiple blockers and allowing Seneca's linebackers to roam free. Last year he racked up 55 tackles and a team-leading eight sacks. On top of that he was a bruising fullback on offense.

"The kid is an absolute freak on the field," Kim said. "He's tough, he's relentless and you can't block him one-on-one. People told me they had to change their gameplans because of him."

In Week 4 last year Einstein did just that. They triple-teamed Wolley the entire game, intent on keeping him off their quarterback.

Bad idea.

"I didn't make many stops in that game, but I was fine with it because by taking on three guys it allowed everyone else to make tackles," Wolley said. "Their offense didn't do anything and we shut them out."

Wolley is not especially big for a tackle, but his heart and passion are unrivaled. He's been known to howl like Ray Lewis before the defense takes the field. He'll pound his fists and rear his head after a big sack. Even when the defense is down, he'll rally his troops like a platoon leader about to charge into enemy lines. Last year, in the midst of a 27-0 beat down by Quince Orchard, Wolley was slapping helmets and going full-tilt right up until the final whistle.

"I'm just being a leader because my team looks up to me," Wolley said. "It's not hard to keep my motor running. It just comes natural. On the first play I get into a zone and I feel like my team is unstoppable."

At only 5-10, 220, Wolley probably shouldn't be unstoppable. He is rarely bigger or bulkier than his opponents.

So how's he able to dominate week in and week out? Surely passionate play won't be enough to beat a 300-pound offensive lineman.

Maybe not. But superior conditioning and footwork will. Like the Baltimore Ravens' Kelly Gregg, an undersized defensive tackle, Wolley uses his wrestling skills to shrug off bigger, less-mobile nose guards.

"When you're on the mat, you have to have great hips, good feet and you can never give in for an instant," said Wolley, who is a perfect 14-0 this year as a wrestler. "It's the same way in football when you're battling in the trenches.

"I'm not the biggest, the strongest or the fastest. But I'm the most prepared."

Those that only know Wolley between the white lines are shocked when he takes off the pads (and vice versa). As soon as his No. 22 jersey comes off, he loses the Mr. Hyde mentality.

Besides Friday nights, Wolley is a polite, respectful teenager. He listens intently to others, he jokes with teammates, he greets teachers and he has lunch with coaches. And with a self-defeating, humble attitude, many don't even realize he's a football player.

"With the way he plays, you'd expect him to be mean and nasty," Kim said. "But that's just not the case."

Wolley may deflect all praise, but one group he'd like to be recognized by is college recruiters. Despite a stellar junior season coaches haven't been flocking to Germantown, Md. Apparently 5-10 tackles don't rate high on prospect lists.

"It's no secret colleges are looking for giants at defensive tackle," Kim said. "But he's as good as anyone I've ever coached, and we've sent a lot of players to the next level."

In order to play college football, Wolley will likely have to convert to linebacker or become a blocking fullback. He's acutely aware of this but not overly concerned. Wolley said he'll worry about a position change in the future. In the meantime, he's content with trench warfare.

"I'm not focusing on college yet; I'll make the adjustments when I have to," Wolley said. "Right now, my personal agenda doesn't matter. All I want is to make my teammates better and win a state championship."

Spoken like a true Screamin' Eagle.