The leading scorer on the top-scoring team in the nation highlights the MaxPreps Small Schools All-American Football Team.
Jack Kiser, a quarterback/linebacker who is headed to play at Notre Dame next year, rushed for 44 touchdowns and also had 18 two-point conversions to give him 312 points on the season. He led Pioneer (Royal Center, Ind.) to a 15-0 record and the Class 1A state championship while also helping his team score a national best 936 points. Kiser finished his career with 920 points, making him the No. 2 all-time leading scorer in Indiana history. He also ranks as the No. 4 rusher in Indiana history with 7,364 yards.
Kiser was also a standout on defense, racking up 159 tackles on defense with seven interceptions. He helped lead a defense that posted 11 shutouts and gave up only 39 points all season.
For his performance, Kiser has been selected as the MaxPreps Small Schools National Player of the Year. Kiser was also the Player of the Year by the IndyStar, marking the first time a Class 1A player has ever been chosen as the state Player of the Year by the newspaper.
Kiser heads the 64-member All-American team, which consists of players who compete for schools that play in state enrollment divisions that generally have fewer than 1,000 students.
Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.), which won the Florida Class 3A state championship and finished as the No. 1 team in the MaxPreps Small Schools National Rankings, had four players on the team while Greater Atlanta Christian (Norcross, Ga.), Amite (La.), Christian Academy-Louisville (Ky.) and Farrell (Pa.) each had two.
2018 MaxPreps Small Schools All-American Football Team First Team Offense
WR — John Dunmore, Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.), 6-2, 175, Sr.
Helped lead the Lions to the Florida Class 3A state championship. He's ranked as the No. 21 wide receiver in the country and the No. 17 overall prospect in Florida by 247Sports. Signed with Penn State, Dunmore is a member of the Under Armour All-American Game and was an All-State selection by USA Today.
WR — Julian Fleming, Southern Columbia Area (Catawissa, Pa.), 6-2, 205, Jr.
The No. 1 wide receiver prospect in the Class of 2020 and the No. 5 recruit in the nation according to 247Sports, Fleming was named the Offensive MVP for Pennsylvania by USA Today. He helped lead the Tigers to their state record ninth state championship. The Tigers are 47-1 since Fleming has been on the varsity with back-to-back state titles. He earned the Gatorade State Player of the Year honor after catching 78 passes for 1,510 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also returned three interceptions for touchdowns.
WR — Milton Wright, Christian Academy-Louisville (Ky.), 6-3, 200, Sr.
The Class 2A state Player of the Year by the Kentucky Coaches Association, Wright caught 67 passes for 1,010 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also carried 37 times for 502 yards and nine touchdowns. Wright had 45 tackles and three interceptions on defense. He made the Louisville Courier Journal's All-State team and the USA Today Kentucky All-State team. He helped lead Christian Academy to a 15-0 record and the Class 2A state championship. He has signed with Purdue and is ranked as the No. 31 receiver in the nation for the class of 2019 and the No. 216 player in the country.
TE — Baylor Cupp, Brock (Texas), 6-6, 240, Sr.
Ranked by 247Sports as the No. 1 tight end prospect in the country and the No. 9 overall prospect in Texas, Cupp earned second team Class 3A All-State honors, due mainly to missing time during the season due to injury. He was first team all-district for the second straight year and was first team All-State by USA Today. He has signed with Texas A&M and he was a participant in the Under Armour All-America game.
OL — Kardell Thomas, Southern Lab (Baton Rouge, La.), 6-4, 349, Sr.
Signed to LSU, Thomas is the No. 2 offensive guard prospect in the country by 247Sports and the No. 32 overall prospect in the country. He was first team Class 1A All-State by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association and was a member of the USA Today All-State team. He played in the All-America Bowl and is on the Polynesian Bowl roster. He helped Southern Lab reach the Division IV state semifinals.
OL — Myles Hinton, Greater Atlanta Christian (Norcross, Ga.), 6-6, 308, Jr.
The son of former NFL All-Pro Chris Hinton, Myles is the No. 2 offensive lineman in the Class of 2020 and the No. 12 prospect in the Class of 2020. He was All-State by USA Today and by the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
OL — Tanner Bowles, Glasgow (Ky.), 6-5, 280, Sr.
Called by his coach, "the most recruited player in school history,", Glasgow earned All-State honors by USA Today and the Louisville Courier-Journal. He has signed to play for Alabama and is ranked by the 247Sports composite rankings as the No. 17 offensive guard in the nation and the No. 6 player in Kentucky.
OL — Ezra Miller, Ridge View (Holstein, Iowa), 6-6, 305, Sr.
The No. 1 prospect in the state of Iowa, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Miller was All-State by USA Today and All-Class A by the Des Moines Register. He has committed to play at Iowa.
OL — Keiondre Jones, Callaway (Hogansville, Ga.), 6-4, 341, Sr.
Bound for Auburn, Jones is ranked as the No. 10 guard prospect in the country and the No. 18 recruit in Georgia by 247Sports Composite. He earned All-State honors by the Atlanta Journal Constitution and USA Today. He was also on the roster for the Under Armour All-American game.
QB — Stone Norton, Davidson Academy (Nashville, Tenn.), 6-3, 195, Sr.
In leading Davidson Academy (13-0) to the Division II-A state championship, Norton completed 187-of-275 passes for 3,479 yards and 43 touchdowns and was named Mr. Football for Division II-A. He was also All-State by USA Today and All-MidState by the Nashville Tennessean. He has signed to play at Florida International and is the No. 34-ranked quarterback prospect in the country by 247Sports Composite. He has thrown for 7,982 career yards and 89 touchdowns.
QB — Michael Lindauer, Evansville Memorial (Ind.), 6-3, 200, Sr.
A two-sport prospect, Lindauer is also one of the top baseball players in the state of Indiana. He was first team All-State by USA Today after leading Memorial to a 14-1 record. He threw for 3,858 yards and 51 touchdowns (247 of 386) and has 10,805 yards in his career with 127 touchdowns. Signed to play at Cincinnati, Lindauer is ranked as the No. 33 quarterback in the country by 247Sports Composite.
QB — Peyton Bevel, Stamford (Texas), 6-0, 190, Sr.
One of the leading quarterbacks in the nation for total passing yards, Bevel threw for 4,521 yards (227 of 372) and 57 touchdowns. Included in that total is a state record 789 yards and 12 touchdown passes in a 90-62 win over DeLeon. Bevel was named Class 2A state offensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press. He has 6,450 career passing yards and 73 touchdowns.
RB — Keaton Mitchell, Eagle's Landing Christian Academy (McDonough, Ga.), 5-9, 170, Jr.
Named the Class 1A state offensive Player of the yYear in Georgia by the Atlanta Journal Constitution, he helped lead the Chargers to a Class 1A Private state championship and a 13-1 record. He rushed for 2,509 yards on 213 carries with 49 touchdowns.
RB — Wandale Robinson, Western Hills (Frankfort, Ky.), 5-9, 180, Sr.
The Class 3A state Player of the Year in Kentucky, Robinson is also Mr. Football for the entire state, as selected by the Kentucky Football Coaches Association. He was also named state offensive MVP by USA Today. He rushed 206 times for 1,973 yards and 30 touchdowns and also had 31 catches for 725 yards and 11 scores. He also led the defense with 119 tackles and had 45 total touchdowns and 284 points. He has signed with Nebraska and is ranked by 247Sports Composite as the No. 2 all-purpose back in the country. He played in the All-American Bowl.
RB — Darwin Barlow, Newton (Texas), 5-11, 200, Sr.
The Class 3A state offensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press, Barlow led Newton to the 3A-2 state championship and a 15-0 record. He rushed for 2,366 yards on 205 carries with 42 touchdowns. He had 46 total touchdowns and 296 points on the season. The No. 29 running back prospect in the nation by 247Sports Composite, Barlow has signed to play for TCU. He finished his high school career with 5,723 career rushing yards and 101 touchdowns and 640 points.
AP — Jack Kiser, Pioneer (Royal Center, Ind.), 6-2, 212, Sr.
Kiser led the highest-scoring team in the nation as Pioneer racked up 936 points (allowing only 39) and went 15-0 with a Class 1A Indiana state title. He had 1,183 yards passing with 18 touchdowns (62 of 94) and rushed 177 times for 2,109 yards and 44 touchdowns. He also had 159 tackles, seven interceptions and five fumble recoveries on defense and averaged 37.4 yards per punt. He finished the season with 46 touchdowns, 36 conversion points and 312 points total. Headed to Notre Dame, Kiser is listed by 247Sports Composite as the nation's No. 64 outside linebacker prospect. He became the first Class 1A player to ever win the IndyStar's Mr. Football for the state of Indiana. For his career, he rushed for 7,364 yards and 139 touchdowns and passed for 3,771 yards and 59 touchdowns. He also had 20 interceptions on defense.
AP — Chandler Byron, Monroe Area (Monroe, Ga.), 6-1, 190, Sr.
The Class 3A state offensive Player of the Year by the Atlanta Journal Constitution, he led the Hurricanes to a 12-1 record. He rushed for 2,795 yards and 37 touchdowns on 268 carries while passing for 1,332 yards (71 of 111) and 18 touchdowns. He had 236 total points and finished his career with 3,168 yards passing and 5,592 yards rushing. He scored 72 total touchdowns and 448 points.
K — Alex Felkins, Holland Hall (Tulsa, Okla.), 6-4, 185, Sr.
A member of the Tulsa All-World team after leading Oklahoma with 15 field goals including a long of 41. He also had 42 touchbacks and was selected to play in the All-American Bowl.
Darwin Barlow, Newton
File photo by Robbie Rakestraw
First Team Defense
DL — George Karlaftis, West Lafayette (Ind.), 6-4, 260, Sr.
The state defensive Player of the Year by USA Today, Karlaftis is headed to Purdue after leading his team to a 15-0 record and a state championship. He had 106 total tackles on the season, including 17.5 sacks and 56 tackles for loss. He is the No. 1 recruit in Indiana and the No. 4 defensive end in the nation, according to 247Sports Composite rankings and he also played in the All-American Bowl.
DL — Christopher Hinton, Greater Atlanta Christian (Norcross, Ga.), 6-4, 280, Sr.
Joins his brother Myles on the first team. The senior is ranked the No. 5 defensive tackle in the nation and the No. 8 overall player in Georgia by 247Sports Composite. He is headed to Michigan after earning All-State honors by the Atlanta Journal Constitution and USA Today. He finished with 49 tackles and 6.5 sacks on the season.
DL — Ishmael Sopsher, Amite (La.), 6-5, 280, Sr.
Sopsher earned Class 2A All-State honors for the fourth straight season after helping lead Amite to the Class 2A state championship and a 14-1 record. He is ranked by 247Sports Composite as the No. 1 defensive tackle in the country, the No. 9 overall player in the country and the No. 2 recruit from Louisiana. He played in the Under Armour All-America game and in the Polynesian Bowl. He had 78 tackles, 35 for loss, and 12 sacks.
DL — Bryan Bresee, Damascus (Md.), 6-5, 280, Jr.
Ranked as the No. 1 overall prospect in the Class of 2020 by 247Sports Composite, Bresee was part of a Damascus team that won 53 straight games before falling to Oakdale in the Class 2A quarterfinals. He is the Gatorade State Player of the Year for Maryland after racking up 34 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks.
LB — Trezmen Marshall, Clinch County (Homerville, Ga.), 6-1, 235, Sr.
The Class 1A Public defensive Player of the Year and a Super 11 selection by the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Marshall helped lead Clinch County to a state championship and a 13-1 record. He is ranked as the No. 7 inside linebacker in the nation by 247Sports Composite and the No. 13 recruit in Georgia. Signed to play at Georgia, Marshall had 59 tackles on the season.
LB — Brady Blattner, Meadowbrook (Byesville, Ohio), 5-10, 195, Sr.
The Division V defensive Player of the Year in Ohio, Blattner had 111 tackles, including 16 for loss. He also scored 23 touchdowns on offense while leading Meadowbrook to the regional finals.
LB — Sergio Allen, Peach County (Fort Valley, Ga.), 6-2, 225, Jr.
Earned Class AAA state defensive Player of the Year honors from the Atlanta Journal Constitution after helping Peach County to a 12-3 record and the Class AAA finals. Allen finished with 122 tackles and six sacks. He's ranked as the No. 3 inside linebacker in the Class of 2020.
LB — Kyi Wright, Farrell (Pa.), 6-3, 245, Sr.
Wright was a two-way standout for the 15-0 Steelers as he threw for 1,746 yards and 29 touchdowns (95 of 132) and rushed for 717 yards on 84 carries with 14 touchdowns on offense while making 99 tackles with two interceptions on defense. He was named the Pennsylvania Football Writers Class 1A state Player of the Year.
LB — Leo Chenal, Grantsburg (Wis.), 6-3, 235, Sr.
Had the unique distinction of being named the state offensive and defensive Player of the Year by the Wisconsin Coaches Association. He ran for 2,038 yards and 42 touchdowns on offense and he had 120 tackles and two interceptions on defense. He was also named the USA Today state defensive Player of the Year for Wisconsin. Ranked as the No. 2 player in Wisconsin by 247Sports Composite and has signed to play at Wisconsin.
DB — Derek Stingley Jr., Dunham (Baton Rouge, La.), 6-1, 195, Sr.
The LSU signee is ranked as the No. 1 cornerback in the country, the No. 3 overall player in the nation and the No. 1 player from Louisiana. He played in the All-American Bowl and was the Louisiana Sportswriters Association's Class 2A state defensive Player of the Year. He had 30 tackles total and two interceptions and also caught 23 passes for 667 yards. He had 27 career interceptions.
DB — Travis Jay, Madison County (Madison, Fla.), 6-1, 185, Sr.
The offensive Player of the Year by the Tallahassee All-Big Bend Team after leading Madison County to the Class 1A state championship team. He threw for 1,344 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushed for 1,096 yards and 20 scores. On defense, he had 46 tackles, 15 passes blocked and five interceptions. The Florida State signee played in the Under Armour All-America Game and he is ranked the No. 19 cornerback in the nation by 247Sports Composite.
DB — Kaiir Elam, Benjamin (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.), 6-1, 182, Sr.
Selected All-State by USA Today and the Palm County small schools defensive Player of the Year, Elam is ranked No. 7 in the nation at cornerback by 247Sports Composite. He finished with three interceptions on the season and also had 27 catches for 544 yards. He also played in the Under Armour All-America Game.
DB — Trikweze Bridges, Lanett (Ala.), 6-3, 175, Sr.
Bridges tied the state record for career interceptions with 36 and also finished his career with 13 pick-sixes while earning All-Class 3A honors. Signed to Oregon, Bridges ranks as the No. 14 overall player in Alabama and the No. 38-ranked safety in the nation by 247Sports Composite. He was the All-Valley Player of the Year by the Valley Times-News.
AP — Jacardia Wright, St. Teresa (Decatur, Ill.), 6-0, 210, Sr.
The Herald and Review Player of the Year for three straight seasons, Wright rushed for 2,609 yards and scored a total of 55 touchdowns on 219 carries as a senior. For his career, Wright rushed for 8,821 yards and scored a total of 150 touchdowns and 900 points.
P — Kolton McGhee, Bishop Guilfoyle (Altoona, Pa.), 6-1, 187, Senior
All-State by USA Today for Pennsylvania, McGhee averaged 46.2 yards per punt and also had 32 touchbacks. He also kicked seven field goals with a long of 46. He finished his career with 312 kicking points, including 26 field goals. Signed with West Virginia, McGhee is ranked No. 3 in the nation among kickers by 247Sports Composite.
Kardell Thomas, Southern Lab
File photo by Kenneth P. Steib
Second Team Offense
WR — Devonta Lee, Amite (La.), 6-3, 193, Sr.
Ranked as the No. 6 receiver in the nation by 247Sports Composite and the No. 8 overall player in Louisiana, Lee helped lead Amite to the Class 2A state championship. He played in the Under Armour All-America Game. He had 191 yards receiving and two touchdowns in Amite's state title win.
WR — Trey Palmer, Kentwood (La.), 6-0, 179, Sr.
The Class 1A state defensive Player of the Year in Louisiana, Palmer was also named All-State at wide receiver by USA Today. He is the No. 5 player in Louisiana, according to 247Sports Composite and the No. 19 receiver in the nation. Palmer has already signed to play for LSU and had 39 catches for 1,008 yards and nine touchdowns this year. Palmer also had 95 tackles on defense.
WR — Donavon Greene, Mount Airy (N.C.), 6-2, 185, Sr.
Greene caught 56 passes for 1,257 yards and 14 touchdowns in earning All-State honors by NCPreps. He helped Mount Airy to a 12-1 record and is ranked as the No. 10 overall recruit in North Carolina. He's signed to play for Wake Forest.
TE — Bryce Barnes, Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley (Gibson City, Ill.), 6-2, 225, Sr.
A standout at linebacker and tight end, Barnes earned all-area honors from the Pantagraph and All-State honors from the News Gazette.
OL — Jaylen Childs, Saks (Anniston, Ala.), 6-4, 290, Sr.
A Class 3A All-State selection in football, Childs also earned All-State honors in baseball last year. He has signed to play at Troy University.
OL — John Young, Christian Academy-Louisville (Ky.), 6-6, 280, Jr.
The No. 4 recruit in Kentucky in the Class of 2020, Young earned All-State honors by USA Today. He helped lead Christian Academy to the Class 2A state championship.
OL — Kobe Hilton, Farrell (Pa.), 6-4, 260, Sr.
Signed to Miami of Ohio, Hilton helped Farrell go 15-0 with a Class 1A state championship. He earned Class 1A All-State honors by the Pennsylvania Football Writers Association and he was second team All-State by USA Today.
OL — Caleb Warren, Nanih Waiya (Louisville, Miss.), 6-4, 305, Sr.
Headed to Ole Miss, Warren was named All-State by the Clarion Ledger and Class 1A state Player of the Year by the Mississippi Association of Coaches. He helped Nanih Waiya win the Class 1A state championship.
OL — Jaquay Hubbard, Sharpsville (Pa.), 6-6, 320, Sr.
The No. 10 recruit in Pennsylvania, according to 247Sports Composite, Hubbard was Class 2A All-State by the Pennsylvania Sports Writers Association and first team All-State by USA Today. He has signed to play at Virginia.
QB — Justin Ibieta, Metairie Park Country Day (Metairie, La.), 6-5, 215, Jr.
Named the New Orleans All-Metro Small Schools Player of the Year and also the Class 2A state offensive Player of the Year after leading Country Day to an 11-1 record. He threw for 2,870 yards and 38 touchdowns (191 of 295) and rushed 147 times for 1,023 yards and 17 touchdowns.
QB — Justin Wake, King's Academy (West Palm Beach, Fla.), 5-11, 170, Sr.
Named the Class 3A state Player of the Year by the Florida Dairy Farmers and was All-Palm County by the Sun Sentinel. He threw for 2,490 yards and 27 touchdowns (166 of 301) and also rushed for 528 yards and 12 touchdowns.
QB — Baylor Scheierman, Aurora (Neb.), 6-6, 185, Sr.
The USA Today offensive Player of the Year, Scheierman led Aurora to the Class C1 state championship. He threw for 3,923 yards, completed 255 passes and had 59 touchdown passes — all state records. He finished with 6,642 career yards and 88 touchdowns. He will play at South Dakota State next year. He was also the Class C1 all-state captain by the Lincoln Journal Star.
RB — CJ Charleston, Gilmour Academy (Gates Mills, Ohio), 5-11, 165, Sr.
The Associated Press Division V offensive Player of the Year in Ohio, Charleston led Gilmour Academy to an 11-1 overall record while rushing for 2,585 yards and 51 touchdowns. An all-around athlete, Charleston was All-State in basketball and won state track titles last year.
RB — Treylon Sheppard, Haralson County (Tallapoosa, Ga.), 5-8, 150, Sr.
Sheppard led all of Georgia during the regular season in rushing and finished with 2,874 yards. He finished the season with 3,013 yards — the third-highest total in Georgia state history. He made the Atlanta Journal Constitution Class 3A All-State team. He was also named the Player of the Year by the Times Georgian.
RB — Ray Leach, Batavia (N.Y.), 5-11, 215, Sr.
Five months after being stabbed 10 times in a fight with a neighbor, Leach earned All-Greater Rochester Player of the Year honors. He rushed for Section V single season records of 3,012 yards, 49 touchdowns and 310 points. A three-time All-State pick, Leach had 6,023 career rushing yards with 111 touchdowns and 720 points. He also rushed for 474 yards and eight touchdowns in a state playoff game. He was named the state offensive Player of the Year by USA Today.
AP — KJ Jefferson, North Panola (Sardis, Miss.), 6-3, 211, Sr.
The Mississippi Class 3A state offensive Player of the Year threw for 3,180 yards and 37 touchdowns and also ran for 916 yards and seven scores. He also earned All-State honors by the Clarion Ledger and he has signed to play for Arkansas. Jefferson threw for 9,654 yards and 119 touchdowns in his career and ran for 2,922 yards and 24 scores.
AP — Ty Keyes, Taylorsville (Miss.), 6-0, 180, So.
Led the state in passing yardage for two seasons, including 3,736 yards and 39 touchdowns this year. He earned a spot on the Clarion Ledger All-State team and was named the Class 2A state Player of the Year. He has 8,298 career passing yards and 84 touchdown passes. He led Taylorsville to a 15-1 overall record, however he did not play in the team's championship game loss to Scott Central.
K — Charlie Ham, Westminster (Atlanta, Ga.), 6-2, 175, Sr.
Signed to play at Duke, Ham has been one of the top kickers in Georgia for the past several years. He had two field goals over 50 yards and he also had over 40 kickoffs go for touchbacks. He was also named the state Player of the Year in soccer as a junior. Ham has earned Class 3A All-State honors the past two seasons in football by the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
Justin Ibieta, Metairie Park Country Day
Photo by Parker Waters
Second Team Defense
DL — Zaylin Wood, Heard County (Franklin, Ga.), 6-2, 270, Sr.
Helped Heard County win the Class 2A state championship in Georgia and he was the Class 2A state defensive Player of the Year by the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Wood had 99 tackles and 36 tackles for loss on the season. He has committed to play at Temple.
DL — Nathan Pickering, Seminary (Miss.), Senior, 6-4, 286, Sr.
The Class 3A state defensive Player of the Year and a member of the Clarion Ledger All-State team, Pickering had 97 tackles on the season including 43 for loss. He led Seminary to the Class 3A state finals while recording 10 sacks and 20 quarterback hurries. He ranks as the No. 6 defensive tackle in the nation and the No. 3 prospect from Mississippi. He will play for Mississippi State next year.
DL — Armonie Brown, Refugio (Texas), 6-3, 250, Sr.
The Class 2A state defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press, Brown had 110 tackles, 41 tackles for loss and 12 sacks during the regular season. He helped lead Refugio to an 11-3 record.
DL — Traveon Freshwater, Northeastern (Elizabeth City, N.C.), 6-3, 210, Sr.
Headed to play at East Carolina, Freshwater was named the Daily Advance's Player of the Year for the second straight season and he named All-State by the Associated Press. He has also been a two-time, All-State pick and played in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas. He finished the season with 120 tackles and 20 sacks and also rushed for 1,327 yards.
LB — Thomas Armstrong, Chaminade Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.), 6-3, 220, Sr.
In helping Chaminade Madonna win the Class 3A state championship, Armstrong earned first team, All-State honors by USA Today. He has signed to play at TCU.
LB — Jensen Jones, Neumann (Naples, Fla.), 6-2, 210, Sr.
A two-way performer for Neumann, rushing for 1,970 yards (202 carries) and 33 touchdowns while throwing for 1,525 yards (90 of 152) and 14 touchdowns. He added 55 tackles on defense and was named the Class 2A state Player of the Year by the Florida Dairy Farmers. He was also named the Player of the Year in Collier County.
LB — Justin Rentfro, Hilmar (Calif.), 6-1, 210, Sr.
Helped the Yellowjackets to a 13-2 record and a state bowl game win. He earned a spot on the Black Hat All-209 Team and finished the season with 131 tackles and 1,125 yards rushing.
LB — Sam Huelsman, Marion Local (Maria Stein, Ohio), 6-4, 230, Sr.
The Division VI state defensive Player of the Year, Huelsman helped Marion Local to a 13-2 record.
LB — Donald Georges, Champagnat Catholic (Hialeah, Fla.), 6-0, 220, Sr.
The top defensive player for a team that reached the Class 2A state championship game with 125 tackles on the season.
DB — Te'cory Couch, Chaminade Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.), 6-1, 160, Sr.
Ranked as the No. 31 cornerback in the nation and the No. 41 player in Florida by 247Sports Composite, Couch has signed to play for University of Miami. He earned All-State honors by USA Today and he also played in the Under Armour All-America Game.
DB — Von Hayes, North Florida Christian (Tallahassee, Fla.), 5-8, 160, Sr.
The All-Big Bend defensive Player of the Year by the Tallahassee Democrat, Hayes helped lead North Florida Christian to the Class 2A state championship. He had 53 tackles, seven interceptions and 16 passes defended.
DB — Hudson Petty, Whitwell (Tenn.), 6-2, 185, Sr.
Petty did a little bit of everything for Whitwell, which went 15-0 and won the Class 1A state championship. He rushed for 756 yards and 17 touchdowns and caught 37 passes for 588 yards and five scores. On defense, he had 204 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and seven interceptions. He had 2,263 yards rushing in his career to go with 46 touchdowns, 70 catches for 1,303 yards and 15 touchdowns, 529 career tackles and 11 interceptions in four seasons on the varsity. He earned All-State honors from USA Today and the Tennessee Coaches Association.
DB — Keontra Smith, Chaminade Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.), 5-11, 205, Sr.
Ranked as the No. 15 safety in the nation and the No. 26 player in the state of Florida by 247Sports Composite, Smith teams up with Couch to form one of the best defensive secondaries in the nation. He helped Chaminade Madonna win the Class 3A state championship and also played in the All-American Bowl. He is headed to play at the University of Miami.
AP — Travion Canada, Reidsville (N.C.), 5-9, 180, Sr.
Named the state Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press, Canada was also the all-area Player of the Year by the Greensboro HSXtra.com. He rushed for 1,574 yards and 21 touchdowns with 29 catches and 474 yards and six scores. He also had 46 tackles on defensive with 12 tackles for loss and two sacks. He led Reidsville to a 15-0 record and the 20th state title in school history.
P — Ryan Sanborn, Francis Parker (San Diego), 6-3, 195, Sr.
One of the top all-around kickers in the nation, Sanborn averaged 42.1 yards per punt and also had 64 kicking points and a 47-yard field goal on the season. He also threw for 2,055 yards and 27 touchdowns and rushed for 609 yards and 13 scores. He was All-State by USA Today and he was a member of the All-CIF team for the San Diego Section.
Ray Leach, Batavia
Photo by Chris Cecere