MaxPreps Medium School All-American Football Team

Video: Trevor Lawrence junior highlights
See the Medium Schools POY in action at Cartersville (Ga.).

Already tabbed as the MaxPreps Junior Player of the Year, Trevor Lawrence of Cartersville (Ga.) has also racked up the Medium Schools Player of the Year award.

Lawrence has one year left on what has already been a storybook career in Georgia. He has led Cartersville to two state championships and already ranks third all-time in career passing yardage in the state. Despite playing in the fourth largest enrollment classification, Lawrence was named the state Player of the Year, regardless of classification, by the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Brandon Matich of East (Salt Lake City) is the Medium Schools Coach of the Year. In his seventh year at East, Matich has guided the Jaguars to an 80-20-1 record during his tenure. Matich's team put together its best season in over 20 years going 14-0 with a Class 4A state.

East also finished ranked No. 1 in the MaxPreps Medium Schools national rankings and knocked off California powerhouse De La Salle (Concord) in September.

Lawrence and Matich head the MaxPreps Medium Schools All-American football team, which consists of 60 players from schools that play in state enrollment divisions that generally have between 1,000 and 2,000 students .

First Team Offense

QB – Trevor Lawrence, Cartersville (Ga.), 6-6, 196, Jr.
The state Player of the Year in Georgia, regardless of division, by the Georgia Sports Writers Association and the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Lawrence led Cartersville to its second straight state championship. The Hurricanes are 42-2 in Lawrence's three seasons as a starting quarterback with two Class AAAA state championships. He's thrown for over 3,000 yards in three straight seasons, including 3,708 (236 for 372) with 49 touchdowns in 2016. With his senior season left to play, Lawrence already ranks No. 3 all-time in Georgia state history for passing yardage. The MaxPreps Junior Player of the Year has completed 656 passes on 1,046 attempts for 10,405 yards and 118 touchdowns.

QB – Nick Gerber, Levelland (Texas), 6-2, 180, Sr.
The Associated Press Class 4A state Player of the Year, Gerber set single-season state records for yardage (5,617 yards) and touchdowns (77). He led the nation in touchdown passes and completed 337-of-522 passes and threw eight interceptions. He threw for over 500 yards three times, including a high of 563 in a 77-76 loss to Andrews. Also threw nine touchdown passes in a game against Andrews. For his career, Gerber completed 742 passes in 1,215 attempts for 11,648 yards and 143 touchdowns. His career passing yardage ranks eighth in state history, while his touchdown total is fifth all-time. Named the MVP of the Lone Star Varsity Super Team.

RB – Eric Melesio, Norte Vista (Riverside, Calif.), 5-9, 165, Sr.
Melesio led the nation in rushing and scoring while helping Norte Vista to an 11-3 record and a berth in the Southern Section Division 6 championship game. He rushed for 4,459 yards on 478 carries with 56 touchdowns. He had single game highs of 55 carries (twice) and 563 yards rushing. Named to the All-Area team by the Los Angeles Times and the Riverside Press-Enterprise, Melesio's single season total ranks second all-time in state history and fourth all-time nationally. A transfer from Citrus Hill, Melesio had just three carries for 19 yards as a member of the Hawks' state championship team in 2015.

RB – Zach Davis, Sheehan (Wallingford, Conn.), 5-10, 170, Sr.
Davis was named the state offensive Player of the Year by American Family Insurance after rushing for 3,588 yards on 284 carries with 50 touchdowns. He rushed for a state record 541 yards in a win over Law, and then broke that mark with 543 yards in a win over Lyman Hall in the final game of the season. Earned All-State honors by the state coaches association. Ran for 5,232 yards on 472 carries with 72 career touchdowns.

RB – Jaylen Warren, East (Salt Lake City, Utah), 5-9, 205, Sr.
Warren was named the state Player of the Year by American Family Insurance, the Deseret News and the Salt Lake City Tribune after leading East to an undefeated season and a Class 4A state championship. He rushed for a state record 3,099 yards on 259 carries with 38 touchdowns. He had 5,083 yards on 471 carries in his career. Helped knock off California powerhouse De La Salle (Concord) 23-21 by rushing for 256 yards on 26 carries.

WR – Jafar Armstrong, Bishop Miege (Shawnee Mission, Kan.), 6-1, 205, Sr.
A member of the Kansas City Star All-Metro team, Armstrong set a Kansas state record with 45 career touchdown passes. He caught 54 passes for 1,277 yards and 21 touchdowns while leading Bishop Miege to the Class 4A-I state championship. Earned Class 4A-I All-State honors by the coaches association and was selected by American Family Insurance as the Kansas state offensive Player of the Year. Bound for Missouri, Armstrong caught 172 passes for 3,744 yards in his career. He had 50 overall touchdowns with 300 career points.

WR – Braxton Ashcraft, Robinson (Texas), 6-5, 190, Jr.
Ashcraft earned Class 4A All-State honors from the Associated Press after finishing with 104 catches or 2,090 yards and 37 touchdowns. His single season yardage total ranks fourth in state history while his touchdown total ranks second all-time nationally and in state history. He had a season highs of 15 catches against Salado and 325 yards and seven touchdowns against Taylor.

WR – Devonta Smith, Amite (La.), 6-1, 155, Sr.
Smith landed a spot on the Louisiana Sports Writers Association Class 3A All-State team while helping lead Amite to the Class 3A state championship game. He caught 80 passes for 1,223 yards and 23 touchdowns.

TE – Chase Rogers, St. Stanislaus (Bay St. Louis, Miss.), 6-4, 250, Sr.
Rogers caught 61 passes for 1,042 yards and 13 touchdowns to earned Class 4A All-State honors by the state coaches association and overall All-State honors by the Clarion-Ledger. He caught 216 passes for 3,729 yards and 44 touchdowns for his career.

OL – Tedarrell Slaton Jr., American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.), 6-5, 350, Sr.
Selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, Slaton was also a member of the Sun Sentinel's All-Broward County small schools team.

OL – Andrew Thomas, Pace Academy (Atlanta, Ga.), 6-5, 310, Sr.
The Georgia-bound lineman earned Class AAA all-state honors by the Georgia Sports Writers Association and the Atlanta Journal Constitution. He also played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

OL – Trey Smith, University School of Jackson (Jackson, Tenn.), 6-6, 300, Sr.
Selected as Mr. Football in Division II-A in Tennessee, Smith did not allow a sack during the 2016 season. He has committed to stay at home and play for Tennessee.

OL – Alijah Tucker, Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland, Calif.), 6-4, 291, Sr.
Tucker was the anchor of the offensive line for the Dragons, who won the Class 5-AA state championship game over Valley View. Committed to Southern California, Tucker was tabbed to play in the Under Armour All-American Game.

OL – Netori Johnson, Cedar Grove (Ellenwood, Ga.), 6-5, 234, Sr.
Johnson earned Class AAA All-State honors by the Georgia Sports Writers Association and the Atlanta Journal Constitution. He has committed to play at Georgia and participated in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

AP – Aldon Clark, Edna Karr (New Orleans, La.), 6-3, 200, Sr.
Clark led Edna Karr to a 15-0 record and a Class 4A state championship. The Louisiana Sports Writers Association named him the state offensive Player of the Year as he completed 151-of-211 passes for 3,444 yards and 44 touchdowns on the season. He also rushed for 786 yards and 13 scores. Also named to the All-Metro Large School team by the Times Picayune. He is headed to play at Arkansas State.

K – Brandon Ruiz, Williams Field (Gilbert, Ariz.), 5-10, 172, Sr.
The Alabama commit helped lead Williams Field to a Class 5A state championship by kicking 17 field goals and connecting on 66-of-67 extra points. He had a long field goal of 58 yards and hit for five field goals in one game. Played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and earned All-State honors by the Arizona Republic.

First Team Defense
DL – Jaelan Phillips, Redlands East Valley (Redlands, Calif.), 6-6, 250, Sr.
The UCLA commit earned all-area defensive player of the year honors from the Riverside Press-Enterprise and made the all-area team selected by the Los Angeles Times. Also named state defensive Player of the Year by American Family Insurance. Phillips played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and had 142 tackles, 21 sacks and 11 tackles for loss.

DL – Donovan Jeter, Beaver Falls (Pa.), 6-5, 250, Sr.
Jeter was a dominant force for a Beaver Falls team that won the Class 3A state championship. He earned All-State honors by the Pennsylvania Sports Writers Association and Fabulous 22 honors by the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. He has committed to play at Michigan.

DL – Andrew Chatfield, American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.), 6-2, 220, Jr.
The Broward County small schools defensive Player of the Year by the Sun Sentinel, Chatfield helped lead American Heritage to an unbeaten season and a Class 5A state championship. He had 82 tackles with 27 tackles for loss and 21 sacks.

DL – Malik Herring, Mary Persons (Forsyth, Ga.), 6-4, 265, Sr.
The Georgia commit earned a spot on the Class AAAA team by the Georgia Sports Writers Association and the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Also named to the All-Middle Georgia team by the Macon Telegraph. He had 81 tackles with 27 tackles for loss and nine sacks.

LB – Markaviest Bryant, Crisp County (Cordele, Ga.), 6-4, 225, Sr.
The Class AAA state defensive Player of the Year by the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Bryant also participated in the Under Armour All-American Game. He helped Crisp County to a 13-1 record while recording 102 tackles with 15.5 sacks and 35.5 tackles for loss.

LB – Joshua Ross, St. Mary Prep (Orchard Lake, Mich.), 6-1, 235, Sr.
The Michigan commit earned Dream Team defensive Player of the Year honors by the Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press. He also landed a spot on the Associated Press Division 3-4 All-State team. Helped lead St. Mary Prep to a Division 3 state championship. He finished the season with 142 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks.

LB – Baron Browning, Kennedale (Texas), 6-4, 230, Sr.
Headed to Ohio State, Browning earned Associated Press Class 4A state defensive Player of the Year honors. He had 75 tackles on the season with 10 tackles for loss and three sacks. Named to the Fort Worth Star Telegram Super Team.

LB – Levi Draper, Collinsville (Okla.), 6-4, 222, Sr.
The Oklahoma state defensive Player of the Year by American Family Insurance, Draper had 115 tackles, and four sacks. The Oklahoma commit also played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and earned All-State honors by the Oklahoma City Oklahoman and the Tulsa World News.

LB – Brandt Casey, Saguaro (Scottsdale, Ariz.), 6-1, 230, Sr.
Leader of the defense on a team that won the Class 4A state championship and finished No. 13 in the Xcellent 25 rankings, Casey had 113 tackles and 14.5 tackles for loss. Earned a spot on the Arizona Republic's All-State team.

DB – Brad Stewart Jr., McDonogh 35 (New Orleans, La.), 6-1, 198, Sr.
Named to the Times Picayune All-Metro large schools team as the defensive Player of the Year, Stewart was also named the Class 4A state defensive Player of the Year by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association.

DB – Richard Lecounte, Liberty County (Hinesville, Ga.), 5-11, 175, Sr.
The Georgia commit was named the state defensive Player of the Year by American Family Insurance as he had 100 tackcles and two interceptions. He was also Class AAA All-State by the Georgia Sportswriters Association and the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

DB – Deommodore Lenoir, Salesian (Los Angeles, Calif.), 6-0, 186, Sr.
The versatile Lenoir was a standout on offense and defense. Named to the Los Angeles Times All-Area team and selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, Lenoir had 52 tackles and an interception on defense. He also threw for 595 yards and six touchdowns, rushed for 1,172 yards and 17 touchdowns and caught 25 passes for 663 yards and seven scores. Also had two touchdowns on punt returns.

DB – Darnay Holmes, Calabasas (Calif.), 5-11, 185, Sr.
A standout on offense and defense, Holmes caught 69 passes for 1,214 yards and 14 touchdowns. For his career he had 214 receptions for 3,455 yards and 39 touchdowns. A participant in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, Holmes had 30 tackles on defense. He earned a spot on the Ventura County Coaches Association All-County team and the Los Angeles Times All-Area team.

P – Myles Brennan, St. Stanislaus (Bay St. Louis, Miss.), 6-4, 190, Sr.
The all-time passing yardage leader in Mississippi, Brennan also averaged 45.6 yards per punt. Headed for LSU, Brennan played in the Under Armour All-American Game. He threw for 3,982 yards (275 for 399) and 48 touchdowns with just three interceptions. He was named to the Clarion Ledger all-state team and was the Class 4A player of the year by the coaches association. For his career, Brennan threw for 15,138 yards and 166 touchdowns, both state records.

Second Team Offense

Alex Huston, Glendale

Photo by Richey Miller

QB – Alex Huston, Glendale (Springfield, Mo.), 6-1, 185, Jr.
Only a junior, Huston led the nation in passing yardage for the second year in a row. This year, he led Glendale to an 11-1 record and was named the state offensive Player of the Year by American Family Insurance. He also earned the Gatorade State Player of the Year honor for Missouri. He threw for 6,131 yards (second best all-time) while completing 395-of-563 passes with 76 touchdowns. Heading into his senior year, Huston has 831 completions in 1,227 attempts or 11,739 yards and 145 touchdowns.

QB – Tristan Gebbia, Calabasas (Calif.), 6-3, 185, Sr.
The Nebraska-bound quarterback threw for 5,338 yards (341 of 485) and 61 touchdowns in leading Calabasas to a Southern Section Division 5 championship. In his final game, Gebbia completed 42-of-62 passes for 585 yards and seven touchdowns in a CIF regional bowl game loss to Madison (San Diego). The MVP on the Ventura County Coaches Association All-County team, Gebbia finished his career with 858 completions in 1,294 attempts for 13,109 yards and 141 touchdowns.

RB – Ladamian Webb, Beauregard (Opelika, Ala.), 5-8, 180, Jr.
Webb earned All-Super State honors by the Alabama Sports Writers Association by rushing 311 times for 3,235 yards and 42 touchdowns (47 total). He carried 51 times for 359 yards and five touchdowns to lead Beauregard to a Class 5A state championship. He also earned a spot on the Opelika-Auburn Now All-Area team. He heads into his senior season with  5,010 yards rushing on 497 carries with 75 touchdowns and 450 points.

RB – Tony Brown, East Central (Moss Point, Miss.), 5-8, 171, Jr.
An All-State pick by the Clarion Ledger and the coaches association Class 4A offensive Player of the Year, Brown finished fifth in the nation in rushing yardage with 3,317 yards on 364 carries with 41 touchdowns.

RB – Geno Hess, Peoria (Ill.), 5-7, 181, Jr.
Hess earned All-State honors by the Chicago Tribune, Edgy Tim and the News Gazette and was All-Area by the Peoria Journal Star. He ran for 2,812 yards on 316 carries with 44 touchdowns. He had a single-game high of  64 carries for 567 yards and eight touchdowns.

WR – Luke Montgomery, Glendale (Springfield, Mo.), 6-1, 195, Sr.
Montgomery earned Class 5 All-State honors from the Missouri football coaches association and sportswriters association. He caught 86 passes for 1,811 yards and 25 touchdowns. For his career, he caught 290 passes for 4,698 yards and 61 touchdowns. His career yardage total ranks second all-time in state history.

WR – Waydale Jones, Jones (Beeville, Texas), 6-4, 190, Sr.
A Texas State commit, Jones earned Class 4A All-State honors from the Associated Press after catching 115 passes for 1,979 yards and 30 touchdowns. In two seasons, Jones caught 167 passes for 2,720 yards and 38 touchdowns.

WR – Jake Johnson, Pulaski County (Somerset, Ky.), 6-0, 170, Sr.
Earned All-State honors by the Courier Journal and the Lexington Herald Leader while leading the nation with 139 receptions. He finished with 1,701 yards and 18 touchdowns for his senior season. The Kentucky coaches association named him the Player of the Year in Class 5A. He holds all-time state records or receptions (414) and receiving yards (5,614). He ranks second all-time in touchdown receptions with 64.

TE – Hunter Bryant, Eastside Catholic (Sammamish, Wash.), 6-3, 230, Sr.
An All-State selection by the News Tribune, Bryant caught 56 passes for 979 yards and 10 touchdowns in just nine games. The Washington commit played on Eastside Catholic's 2015 state championship team and finished his career with 138 catches for 2,483 yards and 35 touchdowns.

OL – Kanan Ray, Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.), 6-4, 275, Sr.
Ray helped Sierra Canyon post a 16-0 record and win a state bowl game. Headed to UCLA, Ray played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and was named to the Los Angeles Times All-Area team.

OL – Corey Stephens, Saguaro (Scottsdale, Ariz.), 6-3, 288, Sr.
Stephens was named the 4A Skyline Region Player of the Year and earned All-State honors from the Arizona Republic after helping Saguaro win a 4A state championship and finish undefeated. He will play at Arizona State next year.

OL – Seth Martin, Pulaski Academy (Little Rock, Ark.), 6-5, 280, Sr.
The Georgetown commit started for three seasons at Pulaski Academy and helped the team win three straight Class 5A state championships. He allowed only one sack this past season and was named to the All-State team by All-Arkansas Preps.

OL – Cade Mays, Knoxville Catholic (Knoxville, Tenn.), 6-5, 310, Jr.
One of the top linemen in the class of 2018, Mays earned Class 4A All-State honors by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association. He was also named the Class 4A Lineman of the Year.

OL – Phillip Paea, Berrien Springs (Mich.), 6-4, 290, Sr.
Headed to Michigan next year, Paea was a standout on offense and defense for Berrien Springs. He earned a spot on the Detroit News and Detroit Free Press Dream Team. He was also the Division 5 state Player of the Year.

AP – Tylan Morton, Griffin (Ga.), 6-4, 230, Sr.
The Class AAAAA state Player of the Year by the Georgia Sports Writers Association, Morton set a state record by throwing for 4,741 yards (303 of 436) and 45 touchdowns. He also ran for 253 yards and seven touchdowns.

K – Cole Phillips, Cairo (Ga.), 6-1, 205, Sr.
Phillips earned All-State honors by the Atlanta Journal Constitution after kicking 20 field goals (second in the nation) with a long of 56.

Second Team Defense
DL – Dalan Cofer, Bowling Green (Ky.), 6-2, 230, Sr.
Cofer helped Bowling Green finished undefeated and win a Class 5A state championship. He had 101 tackles and 10 sacks with 21 tackles for loss. Named the state defensive Player of the Year by American Family Insurance, Cofer was also All-State by the Courier Journal.

DL – Odua Isibor, St. Mary's (Phoenix, Ariz.), 6-5, 225, Sr.
Selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, this UCLA commit also earned All-State honors by the Arizona Republic. He finished with 51 solo tackles and had nine sacks.

DL – Martin Andrus, Los Angeles (Calif.), 6-3, 255, Sr.
Andrus earned the Los Angeles City Section Division II defensive Player of the Year award after helping Los Angeles win the Los Angeles City Section Division II championship.

DL – Brock Martin, Oologah (Okla.), 6-4, 230, Sr.
The Oklahoma State commit earned All-State honors by the Oklahoma City Oklahoman and the Tulsa World News after racking up 136 tackles and 14 sacks on the season. Named state defensive player of the year by the Oklahoman.

LB – Walter Grant, Cairo (Ga.), 6-4, 235, Sr.
A Georgia commit, Grant earned Class AAAA state defensive Player of the Year honors by the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Finished with 52 tackles and seven sacks.

LB – Josh Paul, De La Salle (New Orleans, La.), 6-2, 215, Sr.
The Times Picayune tabbed the Arkansas recruit as the All-Metro small schools defensive Player of the Year after racking up 70 tackles on the season. He was also named the Class 3A state defensive Player of the Year by the Louisiana Sportswriters Association.

LB – Luke Giegling, Vianney (Kirkwood, Mo.), 6-4,, 230, Sr.
The Class 5 state Player of the Year by the Missouri coaches association and an All-State selection by the sportswriters association, Giegling finished with 153 tackles on the season.

LB – Vincent DePalma, DePaul Catholic (Wayne, N.J.), 6-1, 215, Jr.
DePalma led the state of New Jersey in tackles with 185 including 23 for loss and five sacks. He earned a spot on the NJ.com all-state team and the NorthJersey.com all-area team.

LB – Louis Acceus, St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, N.J.), 6-1, 210, Sr.
The state defensive Player of the Year by American Family Insurance, a member of the NJ.com All-State team and the NorthJersey.com defensive player of the year, Acceus had 101 tackles, including 14 for loss with 6.5 sacks.

DB – Kendarian Handy-Holly, Jackson (Ala.), 6-3, 200, Sr.
A member of the All-Super State team, the All-Coastal Alabama team and the Class 5A All-State team, Handy-Holly finished the season with 56 tackles and two interceptions.

DB – Greg Johnson, Hawkins (Los Angeles), 5-11, 190, Sr.
Selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, Johnson helped Hawkins post a 13-1 record. He had five interceptions and 55 tackles on defense while also rushing for 1,317 yards and 13 touchdowns. He was named the Los Angeles City Section Division II Player of the Year.

DB – Patrick Surtain II, American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.), 6-3, 190, Jr.
Surtain earned All-Broward County honors after picking off two interceptions and recovering three fumbles during American Heritage's undefeated season that included a Class 5A state championship. He is the son of coach Patrick Surtain, a former All-Pro NFL cornerback and the current coach at American Heritage.

DB – Ahman Ross, Bolles (Jacksonville, Fla.), 5-11, 195, Sr.
Ross helped lead Bolles to the Class 4A state finals by making 99 tackles and picking off six passes. Named to the Jacksonville Times Union's All-First Coast team.

P – Blake Haubeil, Canisius (Buffalo, N.Y.), 6-3, 200, Sr.
The Ohio State commit averaged 39.9 yards per punt and had 53 touchbacks on kickoffs. He also booted six field goals, with a long of 47. Helped lead Canisius to the Monsignor Martin championship.