2021 MaxPreps Small Town All-America High School Football Team

When you replace someone like Trevor Lawrence in the record book, you have to be a heavy favorite for postseason honors. Gunner Stockton of Rabun County (Tiger, Ga.) did just that, notching several career state records on his way to earning MaxPreps Small Town All-America honors.

Stockton finished his career with 177 touchdown passes — the most in Georgia state history. He also had a state record 254 touchdowns rushing and passing combined and earned state player of the year honors by the Atlanta Journal Constitution. The future Georgia Bulldog has also been named as the MaxPreps Small Town Player of the Year.

Players chosen to the MaxPreps Small Town All-America squad must meet two requirements: They must play for a school with an enrollment under 1,000 students and live in a town with a population under 10,000 people. The 52 players selected are not just big fish in a little pond. Nearly all are headed to a FBS or FCS schools next year and some are ranked among the best recruits in their state by 247Sports.

The Small Town National Coach of the Year is Mark Fannin of Franklin (Texas), who led the Lions to an incredible season in his second year. Under Fannin's Slot T offense, Franklin rushed for 7,009 yards, fifth all-time in the nation according to the National Federation of High Schools record book.

Franklin scored 911 points on the season, which is the fourth-highest total in state history, and it won the first state championship in school history.
MaxPreps Small Town All-America Football Team

First Team Offense
WR Jaden Gibson, Rabun County (Tiger, Ga.)
In helping the Wildcats to an 11-2 record, he led the state in receiving yardage and finished third in the nation, according to the MaxPreps leader boards, with 1,878 receiving yards on 86 catches with 19 touchdowns. He earned first team all-state honors by the Atlanta Journal Constitution and heads into his senior year with 165 catches for 3,174 yards and 29 touchdowns.

WR Rory Heltsley, Gibson Southern (Fort Branch, Ind.)
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 195
Status: Committed to University of Indianapolis | Class: Senior (2022)
The state's leading receiver and the fifth-leading receiver in the nation, according to the MaxPreps leader boards, came up big in the Titans' drive to a Class 3A championship. He had 15 catches for 219 yards and a touchdown in the semifinals and followed that effort with 13 grabs for 218 yards and three scores in the championship game against Brebeuf Jesuit Prepatory. He ended the season with 99 catches for 1,751 yards and 24 touchdowns. He had 151 catches for 2,454 yards and 35 touchdowns in his career. He earned Top 50 all-state honors by the Indiana Football Coaches Association.

TE Colston Loveland, Gooding (Idaho)
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 230
Status: Signed with Michigan | Class: Senior (2022)
Ranked as the top player in the state of Idaho by 247Sports, he signed with Michigan after leading the Senators to a 9-1 season. He had 62 catches for 968 yards and 14 touchdowns and ended his career with 235 receptions for 3,139 yards and 35 scores.

OL Avery Henry, St. Clairsville (Ohio)
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 305
Status: Signed with Ohio State | Class: Senior (2022)
Earned Division IV all-state honors in Ohio by the Associated Press. Helped the Red Devils to a 13-2 record and has signed to stay in-state with the Buckeyes.

OL Tony Nelson, Tracy-Milroy-Balaton (Tracy, Minn.)
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 265
Status: Signed with Minnesota | Class: Senior (2022)
Will stay at home and play for the Gophers. He's ranked as the No. 6 player in the state by 247Sports and earned a spot on the Associated Press all-state team.

OL Ashton Craig, Lawrenceburg (Ind.)
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 285
Status: Signed with Notre Dame | Class: Senior (2022)
A member of the Indiana High School Football Coaches Top 50 All-State Team, he's ranked the No. 8 overall player in the state by 247Sports and the No. 26 tackle in the country.

OL Kiyaunta Goodwin, Charlestown (Ind.)
Height: 6-8| Weight: 340
Status: Signed with Kentucky | Class: Senior (2022)
Ranks as the No. 1 recruit in the state of Indiana and the No. 25 player in the nation overall by 247Sports. He has signed to play with Kentucky and made the Indiana High School Football Coaches Association Class 3A Team.

OL Rogelio Carreon, Jal (N.M.)
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 295
Status: Signed with Boise State | Class: Senior (2022)
Earned Class 2A state player of the year honors by the state coaches association. He's the No. 1 player in the state, according to 247Sports.

AP Major Bowden, China Spring (Texas)
Height: 5-9 | Weight: 180
Status: Signed with Lamar | Class: Senior (2022)
Named Mr. Texas by Dave Campbell's Texas Football after leading the Cougars to a 16-0 record, a Class 4A-II state championship and No. 1 ranking in the Top 25 Small Town rankings. He completed 107 of 160 passes for 1,735 yards and 27 touchdowns. He also rushed 222 times for 1,878 yards and 23 touchdowns.

K Samuel Crockett, Snowflake (Ariz.)
Height: 5-8 | Weight: 175
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
Finished fifth in the nation in kick scoring with 121 points, according to the MaxPreps leader boards. His 20 field goals were second-most in the nation and he had a long of 52 yards. He finished his career with 176 extra points and 32 field goals for 272 kicking points.

First Team Defense

DL Aaron Graves, Southeast Valley (Gowrie, Iowa)
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 270
Status: Signed with Iowa | Class: Senior (2022)
The Gatorade State Player of the Year, Graves led the Jaguars to a 13-1 record and the Class 2A state championship. He finished the season with 63 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. For his career, the future Hawkeye lineman had 221 tackles, 37 sacks and 59.5 tackles for loss.

DL Khurtiss Perry, Pike Road (Ala.)
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 265
Status: Signed with Alabama | Class: Senior (2022)
Head to the Crimson Tide next year after leading the Patriots to a 14-0 record and a Class 5A state championship. He had 96 total tackles with 18 tackles for loss, 23 sacks and 35 hurries. He made the Class 5A all-state team and is on the MaxPreps All-America football team.

DL Sean Fitzsimmons, Central Valley (Monaca, Pa.)
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 285
Status: Signed with Pittsburgh | Class: Senior (2022)
A Class 3A all-state selection in Pennsylvania, he was a defensive leader for a team that went 15-0 and won the state championship. He had 123 tackles, 49 tackles for loss, 21 sacks and 85 hurries.

DL Jehiem Oatis, Columbia (Miss.)
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 370
Status: Signed with Alabama | Class: Senior (2022)
The overall Class 4A state player of the year and the No. 1 recruit in Mississippi by 247 Sports, Oatis finished the season with 55 tackles five sacks and 22 tackles for loss.

LB Javae Gilmore, Amite (La.)
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 200
Status: Signed with Mississippi State | Class: Senior (2022)
The two-way player made 69 tackles with 12 tackles for loss and four sacks on defense and had 45 catches for 754 yards and nine touchdowns for the Class 1A state champion Warriors.

LB Khalid Moore, Poplarville (Miss.)
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 205
Status: Signed with Mississippi State | Class: Senior (2022)
Helped the Hornets to an 11-3 record and earned Class 4A defensive player of the year honors by the Mississippi Association of Coaches. He had 102 tackles on the season with 16 sacks.

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 210
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
The Region AA defensive player of the year by the Atlanta Journal Constitution helped the Purple Hurricane win the AA championship. A three-year starter, Lightsey recently decommitted from Florida.

DB Bryson Washington, Franklin (Texas)
The top player for a Lions team that won the Class 3A-II championship and finished 16-0. Washington was the district player of the year as a sophomore and was a standout on both sides of the ball as a junior. He ran for 1,489 yards as part of a three-headed rushing attack and had 107 tackles on defense.

DB Tackett Curtis, Many (La.)
The top-rated junior in Louisiana by 247Sports and the No. 5 overall player in the Class of 2023 led the Tigers to the Class 2A state championship game and was named the 2A Defensive Player of the Year by the Louisiana Sportswriters Association. Curtis finished with 128 tackles and four interceptions.

DB Dalton Brooks, Shiner (Texas)
Besides being one of the team's top defensive players at safety, Brooks had 1,481 yards and 25 touchdowns during the regular season. The Comanches are 30-0 with a pair of state championships the past two seasons with Brooks leading the way on both sides of the ball.

DB Jaylen Lewis, Haywood (Brownsville, Tenn.)
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 175
Status: Signed with Arkansas | Class: Senior (2022)
Opponents avoided the future Razorback this year after he had seven interceptions as a junior. He still managed 31 tackles and an interception return for a touchdown as a senior. He earned all-state honors and also had 51 catches for 977 yards and 14 touchdowns.

AP Gavin Garcia, Southern Columbia Area (Catawissa, Pa.)
Height: 5-7 | Weight: 160
Status: Signed with Kent State | Class: Senior (2022)
The two-time state Class 2A state player of the year, he finished his career as one of the state's all-time leading scorers with 143 touchdowns. Garcia had 53 total touchdowns, including 41 on the ground, five receiving, five on kick returns and two on interception returns. He also rushed for 2,420 yards on 181 carries and had 7,220 yards in his career on 498 carries.

P Jace Gilbert, Marlow (Okla.)
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 190
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
Led the Outlaws to the Class 2A state championship and a 15-0 season. He was the all-area player of the year by the Duncan Banner and was considered one of the top quarterback prospects in the state and one of the top kicking prospects in the nation. As a quarterback, he completed 123 of 157 passes for 2,227 yards and 28 touchdowns with only two interceptions. He also rushed 149 times for 853 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also had 81 PATs and 10 field goals and had 98 touchbacks on kickoffs. He accounted for 111 kicking points. As a punter, he averaged 41 yards a kick. In his career, Gilbert completed 289 of 404 passes for 5,194 yards and 53 touchdowns.

Second Team Offense
WR Mason Gilkey, Pawhuska (Okla.)
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 185
Status: Signed with Oklahoma State | Class: Senior (2022)
Will stay instate and play for the Cowboys after catching 88 passes for 1,403 yards and 19 touchdowns. For his career, Gilkey caught 179 passes for 3,473 yards and 56 touchdowns. Also a standout in basketball and a state champion in track and field.

WR Hank Beatty, Rochester (Ill.)
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 180
Status: Signed with Illinois | Class: Senior (2022)
The versatile pass catcher had over 2,000 yards in his career as a passer (2,697), rusher (2,365) and receiver (2,923). He completed 152 of 236 passes for 1,899 yards and 23 touchdowns as a senior. He also rushed 146 times for 1,371 yards and 24 scores while catching 22 passes for 341 yards and two touchdowns. He also scored 440 points in his career.

TE Nathan Jones, Brock (Texas)
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 240
Status: Signed with Minnesota | Class: Senior (2022)
Jones finished among the national leaders for touchdown catches for tight ends with 16. He helped the Eagles reach the Class 3A-I championship game and a 15-1 record. The future Golden Gopher caught 54 passes for 802 yards.

OL Landen Livingston, Leo (Ind.)
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 280
Status: Signed with West Virginia | Class: Senior (2022)
Ranked as the state's No. 13 player by 247Sports, he made the Indiana High School Football Coaches Association's All-State Top 50 team. He helped lead the Lions to an 11-1 overall record.

OL Taran Tyo, Versailles (Ohio)
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 295
Status: Signed with Ball State | Class: Senior (2022)
Helped the Tigers to a 15-1 record and the Division V state championship in Ohio and earned a spot on the Division V all-state team.

OL Cameron Pascal, Union (Miss.)
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 275
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
Earned Class 3A all-state honors by the Mississippi Association of Coaches as a senior after earning second team all-state honors as a junior.

OL Lance Williams, Alcoa (Tenn.)
One of the top lineman in the nation in the Class of 2023, Williams helped the Tornadoes win a Class 3A state championship and earned all-state honors by the Tennessee Coaches Association.

OL Brody Meadows, Graham (Bluefield, Va.)
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 280
Status: Signed with Virginia Tech | Class: Senior (2022)
Ranks as the No. 16 overall player in the state of Virginia by 247Sports.

AP Emmanuel Henderson, Geneva County (Hartford, Ala.)
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 185
Status: Signed with Alabama | Class: Senior (2022)
A five-star running back and one of the top recruits in the nation by 247Sports, Henderson could be the next Heisman Trophy candidate for the Crimson Tide. He had 1,802 yards rushing and 25 touchdowns. For his career had had 5,245 yards and 77 touchdowns.

K Breck Miller, Jersey Shore (Pa.)
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 178
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
An all-state selection, he was one of the leading field goal kickers in the nation with 15 on the season. He also had 64 extra points and finished with 109 kicking points.

Second Team Defense

DL Landon Dean, Frontenac (Kan.)
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 285
Status: Signed with Oklahoma State  | Class: Senior (2022)
A three-time all-state player by the state football coaches association, Dean earned Class 3A defensive player of the year honors as a senior. He 60 tackles and 12 sacks as a senior.

DL Quentel Jones, Peach County (Fort Valley, Ga.)
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 315
Status: Signed with Kentucky | Class: Senior (2022)
Jones earned Region AAA all-state honors by the Atlanta Journal Constitution. He had 52 tackles, five sacks and 12 tackles for loss for a team that went 8-4.

DL Caden Story, Lanett (Ala.)
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 265
Status: Signed with Auburn | Class: Senior (2022)
Played on two state championship teams for the Panthers. As a senior, he made the Class 2A all-state team and had 73 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks and 20 hurries. He will play at Auburn.

DL Antavious Woody, LaFayette (Ala.)
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 290
Status: Signed with Florida State | Class: Senior (2022)
While he appears destined to be an offensive lineman for the Gators, he made the Class 2A all-state team on defense. A versatile and athletic player, Woody also played baseball and basketball at Lafayette. On defense, he had 111 tackles with four sacks.

LB Will McLaughlin, Harlan (Iowa)
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 220
Status: Signed with Iowa State | Class: Senior (2022)
He'll remain a Cyclone as he goes from the Harlan Cyclones to the Iowa State Cyclones after helping Harlan win a Class 3A state championship with a 13-0 record. He is ranked as the No. 6 player in the state by 247Sports.

LB Keshaun Mitchell, Madison County (Madison, Fla.)
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 215
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
Helped the Cowboys win the Class 1A state championship in Florida and he was named the 1A state player of the year by the Florida Dairy Farmers after 137 tackles on the season.

LB Kip Lewis, Carthage (Texas)
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 200
Status: Signed with Oklahoma | Class: Senior (2022)
Helped the Bulldogs to an 11-1 record as a senior and a 14-0 record and a state championships as a junior. He was named the district player of the year as a senior after collecting 108 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and six sacks.

DB Malcolm Hartzog, Jefferson Davis County (Bassfield, Miss.)
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 175
Status: Signed with Nebraska | Class: Senior (2022)
The Mississippi Class 3A overall player of the year helped the Jaguars rebound from an 0-4 start to a 10-4 record and a state championship. He had 44 touchdowns as a senior, including 11 on returns. He also had 10 passes defended at corner.

DB Austin Brown, Johnston City (Ill.)
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 195
Status: Signed with Wisconsin | Class: Senior (2022)
Made the Class 2A all-state team after excelling on both sides of the ball for the Indians. On defense, he had 83 tackles and five interceptions. He also had 18 total touchdowns on offense.

DB Cameron Knox, New Albany (Miss.)
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 185
Status: Signed with Iowa | Class: Senior (2022)
Earned all-state honors from the Mississippi Association of Coaches after he posted 57 tackles, six tackles for loss and an interception.

DB Austin Wilkerson, Lamar (Mo.)
The Class 2 Defensive Player of the Year led the Tigers to the state championship game while racking up 111 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and five interceptions.

AP Nick Kopin, Hudson (Mich.)
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 175
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
The Class 7-8 state player of the year in Michigan, Kopin excelled on offense and defense. He had 1,616 yards rushing with 18 touchdowns and he was the leading tackler on defense for a team that won the Class 8 state championship with a 15-0 record

P Derion Gullette, Marlin (Texas)
A standout in all three phases of the game, he caught 64 passes for 1,458 yards and 14 touchdowns, he had 125 tackles, five tackles for loss and two interceptions on defense and he averaged 44.8 yards per kick on special teams.