14 make first team all-state from Wiregrass

It might have been a down year in the Wiregrass for high-quality high school football teams, but the talent level was still high.
This year’s Alabama Sports Writers Association all-state team is evidence of the talent.

Fourteen area players earned all-state honors and another 33 were selected honorable mention all-state by the ASWA, which released its all-state teams today.

Slocomb, a Class 3A state second-round playoff team that finished 9-3, landed three all-staters, while AISA state champ Pike Liberal Arts (12-1) and 2A’s Houston Academy (8-3) had two each.

Talent-rich Charles Henderson and Daleville, a state quarterfinalist team, both had five players honored overall — tops among Wiregrass teams.

Leading the list of 14 all-state players were Slocomb teammates Jermaine “Juicy” Williams, Scottie Burdeshaw and Jacobe Reynolds on the Class 3A team.

Williams, a Class 3A state Back of the Year finalist and all-state selection at running back, finished as the Wiregrass’ third-leading rusher, averaging 155.7 per game. The senior earned 1,829 yards and 23 touchdowns. He was also Slocomb’s second-leading receiver with 12 catches for 193 yards with two TDs.

Williams earned those numbers despite sharing the load with Burdeshaw, who amassed 1,412 yards and 13 scores in the backfield.

Burdeshaw, a junior, was named all-state at defensive back where he earned 90 tackles, including 57 solos. He also had an interception and four pass break-ups.

Reynolds, a Class 3A state Lineman of the Year finalist, earned all-state at linebacker. The senior finished with 135 tackles, including 87 solos, with one sack and a pass break-up.

Pike Liberal Arts, the AISA Class AAA state champion, featured two AISA all-state selections — senior running back Jerel Foster and senior defensive lineman Corey Goodson.

Foster led the Wiregrass in rushing with 2,409 yards — averaging 185.3 per game — with a Wiregrass best 27 touchdowns. He earned MVP honors in the state championship game, rushing for 224 yards and two TDs, and was also MVP of the AISA all-star game.

Goodson was the Patriot defensive leader, earning a team high 153 tackles — 11.8 a game, good for third best in the Wiregrass. He finished with five interceptions, returning one for a touchdown, and two sacks. He had 12 tackles in the state championship win over Fort Dale.

Mammoth offensive lineman Josh Williford and hard-nosed linebacker Stehle Kornegay earned all-state honors for Houston Academy in Class 2A.

Williford, a 6-foot-5, 325 pounder, was a force up front, helping pave the way for HA running backs. Williford has committed to play at LSU.

Kornegay, a junior, continues the long line of impressive linebackers at HA, finishing the year with 124 tackles –— fifth best in the Wiregrass. Of the 124, 70 were solos. He also had four tackles for losses and three pass break-ups.

Also earning all-state honors were Andalusia’s Nico Johnson in Class 4A, Geneva’s Zac Shehee, Headland’s Chase Peterson in Class 3A, New Brockton’s Dashawn Vasser in 2A, Geneva County’s Desmond Lett and Ariton’s Craig Sanders in Class 1A and Ashford Academy’s Aric Allen in the AISA ranks.

Andalusia’s Johnson, a linebacker, finished with 110 tackles — 11.0 a game — with two sacks, an interception, a fumble recovery and a blocked punt.

Geneva’s Shehee, an offensive lineman, graded 75 percent in every game, including seven games better than 80 and three of 90 plus.

Headland’s Peterson was all-state punter after averaging 43.9 yards per punt off 31 punts.

New Brockton’s Vasser was a dominating blocker for the Gamecocks, especially in run blocking. He was credited with 19 pancake blocks (putting defender on his back) — nearly two a game.

Geneva County’s Lett, a defensive back, led the Wiregrass in interceptions with seven, returning two for touchdowns. He also had 64 tackles, including 12 for losses, and forced two fumbles and recovered two fumbles.

Ariton’s Sanders, a Class 1A Lineman of the Year finalist, was a terror for opposing offenses, earning 71 tackles, including 32 for losses and 12 quarterback sacks. He also had 18 quarterback hurries, an interception, a caused fumble, four blocked point after attempts and a blocked punt.

Ashford Academy’s Allen was named all-state as a placekicker. Allen hit 4-of-6 field goals with a long of 35 and hit 88.6 percent of his extra points (31-of-35).

Leading the list of honorable mentions were five players from Charles Henderson and Daleville.

Those from Charles Henderson were offensive lineman Zeb Swindall, linebacker Lequintez Reynolds, defensive back K.D. Edenfield, kicker Dustin Smith and Jawara White as a defensive athlete.

For Daleville, quarterback Tevin Flowers, wide receiver Will Knight, tight end Chris Stone, defensive back Joe Beckham and kicker Travis Basso earned honorable mention.

Six teams had two players each earn honorable mention — Opp, Ashford, Pike County, Dale County, Barbour County and Houston Academy.

Opp offensive lineman Spencer Youmans and linebacker Chris Charlton and Ashford athlete Mike Ray and punter Justin Rayborn were tabbed in Class 4A.

Pike County offensive lineman Elijah Caple and defensive lineman Eddie Carter along with Dale County defensive lineman Xavier Hightower and athlete Trey Watson were 3A honorable mentions.

Barbour County standouts Devondrick Richardson (athlete) and Calvin Fenn (linebacker) as well as Houston Academy punter Travis Gardner and kicker Will Andre were 2A honorable mentions.

Others receiving honorable mention were Dothan linebacker McKinnley Greer in Class 6A, Andalusia kicker Gillis Jones in 4A and Slocomb linebacker Cruise Young in 3A, Goshen running back Marcus Jackson and Houston County wide receiver Edward Robinson in 2A.

Also receiving honorable mention were Geneva County quarterback Rico Reese, Providence Christian defensive back Austin Gilchrist, Ariton linebacker Ty Tyler in Class 1A and Abbeville Christian linebacker Gabe Newman, Ashford Academy linebacker Clay Stewart and Pike Liberal Arts athlete Douglas Hawkins.