Mineola’s Crawford leads impressive All-ET Football team
Published 10:58 am Tuesday, February 2, 2016
- West Rusk coach John Frazier — chosen Coach of the Year in 2015 — resigned from his post on Wednesday. Frazier helped the Raiders rebound from four consecutive losing seasons to post a 12-2 record and reach the Class 3A Division II quarterfinals. (COURTESY WEST RUSK ISD)
Mineola junior quarterback Jeremiah Crawford was not supposed to be on the cover of ETFinalScore.com’s Pigskin Preview issue. That was supposed to feature offensive line teammates Austin and Riley Anderson. But the picture with Crawford and his teammates turned out so well, it was chosen for the cover.
Fast forward a couple months and Crawford has the spotlight all to himself as the Most Valuable Player for the Tyler Morning Telegraph and ETFinalScore.com’s All-East Texas Football Team. He follows Daylon Mack (now at Texas A&M) of Gladewater, who received the award last year.
Crawford led the Yellowjackets to an unbeaten regular season and semifinal appearance, falling to eventual state champion Brock. His two coverboy mates, Austin and Riley, are also on the team as first-team offensive linemen.
Also receiving superlative honors are John Tyler junior quarterback Bryson Smith (Offensive Player of the Year), Nacogdoches senior defensive back Brandon Jones (Defensive Player of the Year), Arp sophomore linebacker Demarvion Overshown (Newcomer of the Year) and West Rusk coach John Frazier (Coach of the Year).
Most Valuable Player
JEREMIAH CRAWFORD is accustomed to powering for first downs when everyone in the stands knows he’s going to tuck and run. Whether it’s third-and-five or fourth-and-three, Mineola coach Joe Drennon wants the ball and game in the hands of his junior playmaker.
“The best thing about Jeremiah is his competitiveness. He has a strong will to be a winner,” Drennon said. “He truly believes he is going to play great every game and our team is going to win.
“Probably the best thing about him is his love for the game. He has a lot of fun playing the game of football. And what’s even better is I have him back for another year.”
As a sophomore, Crawford quarterbacked Mineola to the state championship game, but it ended in a lopsided loss to Cameron Yoe. Despite moving to No. 1 in Class 3A a few games into last season, and the continual unbeaten record, his focus remained on a return to the state final and redemption chance against Yoe.
Crawford completed 79 of 145 passes for 1,361 yards and 15 touchdowns, but his real strength was a running threat. Using a read-option that featured himself and fellow junior Chantz Perkins (All-East second team running back), Crawford amassed 2,517 yards and scored 34 touchdowns.
“He has matured so much on the field since his freshman year in his decision-making and his reads,” Drennon said. “Once he learns to channel all of his emotions in the right direction, the sky will be limit for him.”
Mineola’s quest of a return to state ended in a semifinal loss to Brock.
Crawford is already hard at work and wants to give his state championship goal one final push as a senior.
“I didn’t necessarily like how we ended our season. We should have played better than we did, but I guess that night just wasn’t our night,” Crawford said. “All I am thinking about right now is what I can improve on and what I can do to get better to help our team. It’s all about our team getting wins. It’s all about the hard work you put it in and all about the effort and heart that you put into the game.”
Offensive Player of the Year
BRYSON SMITH was an explosive athlete as a receiver his sophomore year. On the hardwood, he can jump out of the gym, earning All-East Texas Newcomer of the Year honors in basketball last season.
But the John Tyler junior really showed what he could do once he stepped under center for his junior campaign.
The Lions quarterback torched opposing defenses for 3,836 total yards and 41 total touchdowns en route to being named the 2015 All-East Texas Offensive Player of the Year. He follows Zach Hall of Robert E. Lee, who was chosen last season.
“I think he performed well,” JT coach Ricklan Holmes said of Smith. “I think he’s done everything we wanted to do and a little bit more. He developed a little quicker than we thought during the season and was able to put our team in position to score points and win games.”
Smith and the Lions offense started a bit slow as they lost their first three games, but found their rhythm with the start of District 16-5A play.
After throwing for a combined 223 yards in his first two games, Smith threw for 280 against Robert E. Lee and picked up steam from there. The next game against Whitehouse, he threw for a season-high 320 yards and five touchdowns.
Smith was just as electric running the ball, going over the century mark rushing in eight of 12 games, including a season-high 212 yards and four touchdowns against eventual state runner-up Mansfield Lake Ridge in the area playoffs.
Holmes said it was down to Smith’s constantly improving decision-making.
“We always knew he could make plays with scrambling and buying time, and he had the arm strength and accuracy to put the ball where it needed to be, but the process of going through when to do it (is where he improved),” Holmes said.
Smith finished with 2,415 yards on 157 of 260 passing with 20 touchdowns to five interceptions. He also led the team with 1,421 yards rushing on 182 attempts, scoring 21 times.
District 16-5A coaches voted him as the league’s most valuable player.
“His speed, his arm strength, understanding the offense, developed him into a true quarterback that should be playing at the next level pretty soon,” Holmes said.
But not too soon.
Smith is still just a junior. Like quarterbacks Greg Ward and Jeremy Johnson before him, Smith started as a receiver as a sophomore before a strong junior year. Now he’s primed for an even better senior season.
Holmes, for one, said he’s excited about the prospects, considering the statewide honors garnered by Ward and Johnson their senior years.
“We’re looking to see that same type of scenario out of Bryson Smith,” Holmes said.
Defensive Player of the Year
BRANDON JONES, will be making an impact next year, only he’ll be doing it at the next level.
The question is: Where?
Nacogdoches safety Brandon Jones will make his college choice on National Signing Day on Wednesday, and just about every major college football program has come calling.
Texas and Texas A&M are considered the two final contenders for the 6-0, 205-pound star, who provided the backbone for the Dragons’ defense this season to be named Defensive Player of the Year. He follows Trevor Keener of Mineola, who received the award last year.
Jones tallied 135 tackles (63 solo), 19 tackles for loss, seven pass breakups, two interceptions and two forced fumbles for Nac, even with every opponent knowing exactly where he was on the field at all times.
Jones was named District 16-5A Defensive MVP despite playing on a team that finished 4-6 after allowing 26.1 points per game.
A former defensive back himself, JT coach Ricklan Holmes recognized the potential of Jones.
“Wherever he ends up going to school at, he’ll be an impact player as a true freshman because he has all the natural abilities and tools to play at the next level,” Holmes said.
Whether that’s in the Big 12, the SEC or elsewhere will be determined Wednesday.
Jones’ status as an elite defensive playmaker, however, was put in stone long ago.
Newcomer of the Year
DEMARVION OVERSHOWN began his sophomore season as a backup linebacker, but after stepping on the field in Arp’s season-opening win against Paul Pewitt, his performance prompted the Tiger coaches to immediately make him a starter.
In his limited playing time against Pewitt, Overshown had two sacks and a team-best 16 tackles.
“I was a sub the first game and (the next day) my (position) coach came up to me and said ‘You played good and you probably got yourself a starting spot,'” Overshown said. “That’s when it all happened.”
It was a wise decision by the Arp coaches, as Overshown finished as the team leader with 118 tackles and played a big role in Arp turning things around after a slow start to reach the Class 3A Division I regional round. Overshown is the All-East Texas Newcomer of the Year. He follows Pierre Leonard of John Tyler, who received the honor last year.
“I was surprised when my coach told me, but I couldn’t have done it without my teammates and coaches pushing me,” Overshown said after hearing of the honor.
Overshown was originally penciled in to play both ways for the Tigers at receiver and linebacker, but his continued dominance on defense caused his coaches to focus his talents on that side of the ball. He finished with 45 solo tackles, seven sacks, three fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and one interception.
The Tigers, just like West Rusk, had their season stopped by eventual state champion Waskom.
Overshown, now with a year of experience, wants to do even more and take the Tigers farther.
“Next year, I am looking for more tackles, more sacks, to be a better team player and get a ring,” Overshown said.
Coach of the Year
JOHN FRAZIER had done this before. In 2010, Frazier piloted West Rusk to the state quarterfinals after an unbeaten regular season. But since that 12-1 campaign, West Rusk had won a combined 12 games in the four years since.
The Raiders were coming off a 3-7 season in 2014, but returned seven starters on offense and eight on defense. No one was picking West Rusk to make much of an impact in District 9-2A Division II, which sported state champion Waskom and perennial playoff teams like Arp and Elysian Fields.
Frazier once more took West Rusk on a magical ride. The Raiders went 9-1 in the regular season, its only loss coming to Waskom. In the playoffs, West Rusk matched its best season in school history, going four rounds deep before again being stopped by eventual state champion Waskom.
Frazier’s turnaround success makes him the Coach of the Year. He follows Mineola’s Joe Drennon, who received the honor last year.
“In my nine years at West Rusk, or really for all of my coaching career, I’ve never coached a team that got the most out their potential like these kids did,” Frazier said. “It was just a true joy. They’d been through so much adversity the last few years to go into their senior year and play as the ultimate team is the reason they went 12-2.”
The offense was led by senior quarterback Dee Starling and senior running back Nick Ballard. The two combined for over 4,000 yards of offense, passing and rushing, and 61 touchdowns.
West Rusk went into its first meeting with Waskom undefeated, thanks to narrow victories over Arp, Winona and Elysian Fields. Waskom blanked West Rusk 40-0. Any thoughts of a season slide were put to rest the next week, when West Rusk shut out Frankston 27-0.
The Raiders stayed on the front foot, posting double-digit wins over Troup to end the regular season, and Hughes Springs, Howe and Paul Pewitt in the playoffs.
“The entire senior group, with a supporting cast of underclassmen, was just phenomenal,” Frazier said.
All of this led up to a rematch with Waskom. The Raiders were not shut out this time, and in fact, led 22-14 at the end of an entertaining first quarter. Waskom took over after that to end the Raiders season, but Frazier will look back on 2015 with very fond memories.
“Those kids gave everything they had and it wasn’t enough to beat Waskom, but there are a lot of teams that have faced them the last two years that are in the same boat,” Frazier said. “This team here was easy to coach. There were moments throughout the year where they played over their heads and each and every week they gave the glory to God. I am very blessed to have been able to coach these kids.”
Tyler Morning Telegraph and ETFinalScore.com’s All-East Texas Football Team
Most Valuable Player
Jeremiah Crawford
School: Mineola
Class: Junior
Position: Quarterback
Notable: Crawford completed 79 of 145 passes for 1,361 yards and 15 touchdowns; 218 carries for 2,517 yards rushing and 34 touchdowns; Offensive Player of the Year for District 8-3A and led Mineola to Class 3A Division I semifinals with only loss coming to eventual state champion Brock.
Offensive Player of the Year
Bryson Smith
School: John Tyler
Class: Junior
Position: Quarterback
Notable: Smith completed 157 of 240 passes for 2,360 yards and 20 TDs and just 5 INTs; 182 carries for 1,421 yards and 21 TDs; MVP of 16-5A and led JT to Class 4A area round where the Lions were stopped by eventual state finalist Mansfield Lake Ridge.
Defensive Player of the Year
Brandon Jones
School: Nacogdoches
Class: Senior
Position: Defensive Back
Notable: Jones finished with 135 tackles (63 of them solo) with 19 tackles for loss (TFL) and 7 pass breakups to go along with 2 INTs and 2 caused fumbles. Was the 16-5A Defensive POY despite Nacogdoches finishing 4-6.
Newcomer of the Year
Demarvion Overshown
School: Arp
Class: Sophomore
Position: Outside Linebacker
Notable: Overshown broke into the starting lineup in Arp’s second game and remained there to pile up 118 tackles (45 of them solo), 7 TFL, 1 INT, 3 fumble recoveries and one caused fumble to help Arp come back from a slow start and reach the 3A Division II regional round, falling to eventual state champion Waskom.
Coach of the Year
John Frazier
School: West Rusk
Notable: Frazier led a Raiders team coming off a 3-7 season and playing in one of the most difficult districts in Class 3A to go 12-2 with West Rusk’s only two losses coming to the same team, defending state champion Waskom, the final one in the 3A Division II quarterfinals, matching its best season in the past 25 years.
FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
Austin Anderson
School: Mineola
Class: Senior
Position: Offensive Line
Notable: Austin Anderson totaled 108 pancake blocks and graded out at 95 percent for a 14-1 team; was Co-MVP of District 8-3A D1 and a Texas A&M commit
Riley Anderson
School: Mineola
Class: Senior
Position: Offensive Line
Notable: Riley Anderson finished with 97 knockdowns and graded out at 93 percent for a 14-1 team; was Co-MVP of District 8-3A D1 and a Texas A&M commit
Caden Blevins
School: White Oak
Class: Senior
Position: Center
Notable: Blevins finished with 147 knockdowns and 58 pancake blocks, allowing two sacks in 263 pass attempts to grade out at 91 percent for 10-1 team. District 8-3A D1 first team.
Corey Brister
School: West Rusk
Class: Senior
Position: Offensive Line
Notable: Brister totaled 131 pancake blocks and did not allow a sack to grade out at 96 percent for an offense that finished with 3,031 yards rushing and 1,372 yards passing. 8-3A D1 Offensive PoY.
Johnny Perez
School: Gilmer
Class: Senior
Position: Offensive Lineman
Notable: Perez finished with 51 knockdowns and was the top lineman for an offense that rushed for 3,158 yards and passed for 3,199 yards. First team 5-4A D1.
Kennen Johnson
School: Alto
Class: Senior
Position: Quarterback
Notable: Johnson tossed 11 TDs with 3 INTs while also rushing for 2,669 yards and 38 TDs for an 11-1 team. MVP of District 11-2A D1.
Nick Ballard
School: West Rusk
Class: Senior
Position: Running Back
Notable: Ballard ran for a school record 2,280 yards and scored 20 touchdowns on 312 carries; 8-3A D2 offensive player of the year.
Logan Fuller
School: Athens
Class: Senior
Position: Running Back
Notable: Fuller carried the ball 322 times for 2,229 yards (6.9 average) and scored 33 touchdowns. Is Athens career school rushing leader and was chosen 8-4A D1 offensive player of the year.
Alphonso Thomas
School: Van
Class: Senior
Position: Running Back
Notable: Thomas carried 222 times for 1,570 yards and 21 touchdowns for 6-5 team. 8-4A DI first team and SMU commit.
Judah Bell
School: Bishop T.K. Gorman
Class: Junior
Position: Wide Receiver
Notable: Bell finished with 68 catches for 1,350 yards and scored 16 touchdowns for the Crusaders; TAPPS All-State Division II.
Tyrec Grayson
School: Robert E. Lee
Class: Senior
Position: Wide Receiver
Notable: Grayson finished with a combined 13 touchdowns; rushed 32 times for 705 yards (5 TDs) and caught 42 passes for 418 yards (8 TDs).
Damion Miller
School: John Tyler
Class: Junior
Position: Wide Receiver
Notable: Miller hauled in 41 catches for 912 yards and scored 9 touchdowns for the Lions. District 16-5A first team and Texas commit.
Major Tennison
School: Bullard
Class: Junior
Position: Tight End
Notable: Tennison finished with 27 catches for 603 yards and eight touchdowns. Committed to Texas.
Martin Guzman
School: Bishop T.K. Gorman
Class: Senior
Position: Utility
Notable: Guzman was the definition of utility for the Crusaders. He rushed for 308 yards and 4 TDs, caught 34 passes for 544 yards and 3 TD, totaled 16 tackles on defense, delivered 10 touchbacks on kickoffs, and posted 44.2 average on 9 punts, going 30 for 32 on PATs and 2 for 2 FGs.
Jordan Lawless
School: Lindale
Class: Senior
Position: Kicker
Notable: Lawless finished 42 of 42 on extra points and knocked through eight field goals for the Eagles. Named special teams player of the year for District 16-5A.
DEFENSE
Demarco Boyd
School: Gilmer
Class: Senior
Position: Defensive Line
Notable: Boyd finished with 74 tackles, 25 quarterback pressures (QBP), four caused fumbles (CF), one fumble recovery (FR), 7 sacks, 4 blocked kicks and two defensive TDs for a 14-1 team. Committed to Texas.
Braylon Jones
School: John Tyler
Class: Senior
Position: Defensive Line
Notable: Jones totaled 65 tackles with 15 tackles for loss and 15 QBPs for the Lions. A TCU commit. All-District first team 16-5A as a defensive tackle and offensive lineman.
Pierre Leonard
School: John Tyler
Class: Senior
Position: Defensive Line
Notable: Leonard finished with 79 tackles (18 TFL), 30 QBPs, 5 forced fumbles and 5 sacks for Lions. A Texas A&M Commerce commit.
Tristin Olivares
School: Gilmer
Class: Senior
Position: Defensive Line
Notable: Olivares finished with 112 tackles 18 quarterback pressures with 12 sacks, 2 caused fumbles and 1 fumble recovery for Buckeyes. 5-4A D2 first team.
Logan Cook
School: Alto
Class: Senior
Position: Linebacker
Notable: Cook finished with 142 tackles and 8 sacks, piling up 42 tackles for loss, 4 FF, 2 FR, 5 pass breakups, 2 INTs and one defensive touchdown. Was the 11-2A D1 defensive player of the year.
Michael Drennon
School: Mineola
Class: Sophomore
Position: Linebacker
Notable: Drennon finished with 135 tackles (29 of them solo) and 12 TFL to go along with 3 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 9 QBPs for 14-1 Yellowjackets. 8-3A D1 first team.
Swade Smith
School: White Oak
Class: Senior
Position: Linebacker
Notable: Smith finished with 116 tackles, 34 of those for loss, to go along with 5 sacks, 1 CF, 2 INTs, 2 FRs. Was the 8-3A D1 defensive player of the year.
Joe Wright
School: West Rusk
Class: Senior
Position: Linebacker
Notable: Wright racked up 213 tackles with 14 TFL, 3 sacks, 4 FR, 4 FF, 5 QBPs for 12-2 Raiders. Named first team 8-3A D2.
Bryston Gipson
School: John Tyler
Class: Senior
Position: Defensive Back
Notable: Gipson finished with 97 tackles, 9 pass breakups, 2 interceptions for Lions. First team 16-5A.
Kollin Hurt
School: Gilmer
Class: Senior
Position: Defensive Back
Notable: Hurt finished with 114 tackles and 10 interceptions with 5 PBUs and 2 defensive touchdowns for the Buckeyes.
Kevin Jones
School: West Rusk
Class: Junior
Position: Defensive Back
Notable: Jones totaled 122 tackles with 6 TFL and school-record 10 INTs, 2 FF, 2 FR for Raiders. First team 8-3A D2.
Noah Sneed
School: Mineola
Class: Junior
Position: Defensive Back
Notable: Sneed finished with 71 tackles (36 solos) to go along with 5 INTs, a defensive touchdown, 3 TFL and 18 PBUs for the Yellowjackets. First team 18-3A D1
Scott Deal
School: Spring Hill
Class: Senior
Position: Punter
Notable: Deal averaged 43.6 yards per kick on 30 punts with long of 68. Nine of his punts went 50 yards or more.
Q.T. Barker
School: Malakoff
Class: Junior
Position: Return Specialist
Notable: Barker returned four kickoffs for touchdowns, including one in the playoffs; also had 5 interceptions, returning two for touchdowns.
SECOND TEAM
OFFENSE
Luis Alvarado
School: Alto
Class: Senior
Position: Offensive Line
Notable: 97% grade, 92 knockdowns, 58 pancakes, for 11-1 team that avg. 450 yards and 48 ppg/game
Alex Andrews
School: West Rusk
Class: Senior
Position: Center
Notable: 92% grade, no sacks allowed, 51 pancakes for 12-2 team
Adrian Harris
School: John Tyler
Class: Senior
Position: Offensive Line
Notable: 89% grade, 52 knockdowns for 8-4 team
Dre Tennyson
School: Gladewater
Class: Junior
Position: Offensive Line
Notable: 94% grade, 72 pancakes, 53 knockdowns, no sacks allowed, off. 3,147 rush yds for 5-6 team
Josh West
School: Athens
Class: Senior
Position: Offensive Line
Notable: 96% grade, 65 pancakes, 27 decleators, no sacks allowed for 8-4 team that avg. 424 yds per game (391 rushing)
Jarod Blissett
School: Carthage
Class: Senior
Position: Quarterback
Notable: 255 of 419 for school record 4,065 yards, 41 TDs, 10 INTs for 11-4 team
Cameron Haller
School: Marshall
Class: Senior
Position: Running Back
Notable: 234-1,815 rushing, 26-TDs, 48-86 passing for 765 yards, 10 Tds, 2 int. 15-5A MVP for 11-2 team. Forced to play QB for nearly half of the season when starter went down.
Chantz Perkins
School: Mineola
Class: Junior
Position: Running Back
Notable: 202-1,997, 27 Tds rushing; 10-193 receiving, 2 TDs for 14-1 team
Ja’Quorius Smith
School: Kilgore
Class: Senior
Position: Running Back
Notable: 189-1,280, 14 Tds for 8-4 team. District 9-4A D1 Offensive MVP
Isjuwan Barker
School: Robert E. Lee
Class: Senior
Position: Wide Receiver
Notable: 37-652 (17.6 average), 8 TDs, long of 67
Duntayviun Gross
School: John Tyler
Class: Senior
Position: Wide Receiver
Notable: 63-776, 5 Tds for 8-4 team
Jakeldric Jackson
School: Carthage
Class: Senior
Position: Wide Receiver
Notable: 88 catches for 1,526 receiving, 16 TDs
Jordan Wyatt
School: Longview
Class: Senior
Position: Tight End
Notable: Wyatt was a dual-purpose player for the Lobos, blocking for their powerful run game while also hauling in 14 passes for 387 yards and 6 TDs.
D.J. Hicks
School: West Rusk
Class: Senior
Position: Utility
Notable: 78-642 rushing, 4 Tds; 31-704 receiving, 9 TDs.
Arthur Nakai
School: White Oak
Class: Junior
Position: Kicker
Notable: 54-58 PAT, 14-18 FG with 3 over 40 yards; 13 touchbacks
DEFENSE
K.J. Bickham
School: All Saints
Class: Senior
Position: Defensive Line
Notable: 88 tackles, 7 sacks, 16 TFL, 1 FR, 1 blocked FG
Tyriq Burnett
School: Wills Point
Class: Junior
Position: Defensive Line
Notable: 86 tackles, 13 sacks, 15 TFL, 15 QBPs, 2 PBU, 2 FF for 3-7 team
Jarrod McLin
School: Carthage
Class: Senior
Position: Defensive Line
Notable: 120 tackles, 20 TFL, 34 QBPs, 8 PBU, 1 CF, 1 FR, 4 sacks, 23 QBPs for 14-1 team
Kourtland Sinches
School: Mineola
Class: Junior
Position: Defensive Line
Notable: 23 TFL, 109 tackles (30 solos), 16 QBPs, 2 FF, 4 sacks for 14-1 team
Logan Culp
School: Alba-Golden
Class: Senior
Position: Linebacker
Notable: 167 tackles (87 solos), 11 TFL, 1 CF, 1 PBU for 8-3 team
Mikkah Hackett
School: Alto
Class: Junior
Position: Linebacker
Notable: 99 tackles, 15 sacks, 48 TFL, 7 FF, 3 FR, 13 PBU, 5 INTs for 11-1 team
Fre’Zarian Harrison
School: Pittsburg
Class: Senior
Position: Linebacker
Notable: 115 tackles (59 solos), 34 TFL, 9 sacks, 2 FR, 3 FF for 10-2 team. 7-4A D1 Defensive MVP
Josh Spitzer
School: Grace Community
Class: Junior
Position: Linebacker
Notable: 90 tackles in 9 games, 2 INTs
Travon Fuller
School: Athens
Class: Senior
Position: Defensive Back
Notable: 2 INTs, 54 tackles (43 solos), 1 FR for 8-4 team. 18 career ints. A&M pledge
Jack Patton
School: Rusk
Class: Junior
Position: Defensive Back
Notable: 112 tackles, 3 TFL, 3 FF, 7 blocked PATs, 2 PBU, 3 INTs for 2-8 team
Kendrick Rogers
School: Frankston
Class: Senior
Position: Defensive Back
Notable: 5 INTs-1 TD, 101 tackles (56 solos), 4 FF, 3 FR-1 TD, 2 sacks, 5 TFL, 5 PBU, 2 def. Tds for 6-4 team. Texas A&M pledge
Makyle Sanders
School: Robert E. Lee
Class: Junior
Position: Defensive Back
Notable: 105 tackles, 12 PBU, 2 INTs for 5-5 team
Brendan Harcrow
School: Elkhart
Class: Junior
Position: Punter
Notable: 32 punts, 41.15 avg., 7 inside the 20
D’Juan Martin
School: Bullard
Class: Junior
Position: Return Specialist
Notable: 28.0 KOR avg, 1 TD; 32.0 PR avg. 1 TD
HONORABLE MENTION
OFFENSE
Offensive Linemen – Marcus Polk, Longview, 5-11, 270, jr.; Brandon Truemner, Pine Tree, 6-2, 230, sr.; Cagan Baldree, Carthage, 6-4, 250, Sr.; Franklin Smith, Texarkana Liberty-Eylau, 6-4, 279, So.; Colton Barker, Malakoff, 5-11, 290, sr.; Chris Bloyd, White Oak, 5-10, 230, Sr.; Brennon Daughtry, Gladewater Union Grove, 6-4, 258, Jr.; Parker Braun, Hallsville, 6-3, 285, Sr.; Tim Clay, Longview, 6-6, 385, Sr.; Nate Buck, Pittsburg, 5-10, 258, Sr.; Kedrick Henderson, Carthage 5-10, 300; Chris Thompson, Frankston, 6-3, 285, Sr.; Jacob Costlow, Carlisle, Sr.; Zach Gipson, Longview, 5-9, 285, Sr.; John Stevens, Carlisle, Sr.; Ronald Baker, Jr., Grace Community; Tyler Bate, Sr., Bishop Gorman.
Quarterbacks – Zach Hall, Tyler Lee, 5-11, 170, Sr.; Brian Baca, Pittsburg, 5-10, 180, Sr.; Zach Spears, Gilmer, 5-9, 170, Sr.; D.J. Hicks, Palestine Westwood, 5-9, 160, Sr.; Jake Hugghins, Rusk, 6-2, 190, Jr.; Dee Starling, West Rusk, 6-2, 200, Sr.; Collin Gray, Carlisle, sr.; C.J. Horn, Tenaha, 6-0, 190, soph.; Rick Frauenberger, Grapeland, 6-3, 170, Fr.; Michael Goodwin, Bishop Gorman, Sr.; Christopher Wilhelmi, Jr., Grace Community.
Running Backs – Lance Hardman, Hallsville, 6-0, 190, Sr.; Travion Hollomon, Mt. Pleasant, 5-9, 170, jr.; Tylan Miller, Longview, 5-8, 185, sr.; Tray Walker, Pittsburg, 5-5, 156, Sr.; Kaigan Baker, Palestine Westwood, 5-7, 176, Sr.; Dain Duncan, Sabine, 5-10, 175, sr.; Connor Hearron, White Oak. 6-0, 185, jr.; Rico Pereles, Price Carlisle, Sr.; Tavon Wesley, Robert E. Lee, 6-1, 200, sr.; Maalik Hall, Athens, 6-0, 190, jr.; Dain Duncan, Gladewater Sabine, 5-10, 175, sr.; Dalton Wright, Alba-Golden, 6-2, 235, sr.
Receivers – Jaquavian Dabbs, Marshall, 6-0, 175, sr.; Patton, Marshall, 5-9, 160, sr.; Isiah Francis, Rusk, 5-7, 155, Sr.; Damien Porter, Pittsburg, 5-10, 145, Sr.; Dax Davis, White Oak,. 5-11, 150, sr.; Jaques Faulk, Grapeland, 5-7, 150, Jr.; Colton Goeke, Tenaha, 6-1, 170, sr.; Seth Brasher, Bullard Brook Hill, Sr.
Tight Ends – Coleton Lasseter, Hallsville, 6-7, 255, Sr.; Jarod McLin, Carthage, 6-3, 215, sr.
Kickers – Cody Jenkins, Longview, Sr.; Juan Esquival, Gilmer, Sr.; Christian Galvan, Kilgore, sr.; Jose Cerda, West Rusk, 5-5, 155, Jr.; Luis Hernandez, Carlisle, jr.
Utility – Shaffer Russell, Pine Tree, 5-11, 190, jr.; Rico Pereles, Carlisle, sr.; Mason Parker, Robert E. Lee, 5-9, 160, sr.
DEFENSE
Defensive Line – John Samples, Robert E. Lee, 6-3, 250, Sr.; Terrell Cooper, Lindale, 6-2, 230, Jr;. Bryan Gilliland, Longview, 6-0, 200, Sr.; Bronson Massie, Lufkin, 6-4, 220, Sr.; Amere Morris, Lindale, 6-0, 215, Sr.; Kybrian Sheridan, Longview, 6-0, 210, Sr.; Antonio Washington, Marshall, 6-0, 250, sr.; Quinton Edney, Pittsburg, 6-2,220, Sr.; O’Ryan Fisher, Pittsburg, 6-0, 235, Sr.; Deonte Allen, Daingerfield, 5-10, 150, Sr.; Deandus Fields, Frankston, 6-3, Jr.; Austin Iske, White Oak, 6-1, 186, sr.; Vaughn Liedtke, West Rusk, 6-0, 220, Sr.; Toby Palmer, New Diana, sr.; Traylon Swanson, Elkhart, 6-9, 230, Sr.; Darrian Terry, Daingerfield, 6-3, 252, Sr.; T.K. Gardner, Tenaha, 6-2, 330 Jr.; Jayce Harris, Cayuga, 6-2, 245, Sr. J.D. Kessler, Gladewater Union Grove, 6-3, 215, Soph.; Ra’Dedrick Woodson, Alto, 5-9, 245, Soph.; Jordan Morales, Sr., Bishop Gorman.
Linebackers – Campbell Miller, Robert E. Lee, 6-2, 245, Jr.; Bryson Davis, Longview, 6-2, 185, Sr.; Colton Oberthier, Hallsville, 5-10, 185, Sr.; Shaundrick Williams, John Tyler, Jr.; Noah Bush, Athens, 6-2, 230, 6-2 ,230, Jr.; Brazos Hesskew, Canton, 5-11, 190, sr.; Mikah Hughes, Bullard, sr.; Sloan Rodberg, Wills Point, 6-3, 220, Sr.; Mason Shelton, Kilgore; Jaqualon Finley, Alto, 5-11, 175, Soph.; Aron Jahr, New Diana, 5-11, 176, So; D.J. Williams, Elkhart, 5-10, 190, Jr.; Craig Collins, Alto, 5-11, 180, Sr.; Chase Day, Gladewater Union Grove, Sr.; Colt Laughery, Cayuga, Sr.; Kaleb Leonard, Grapeland, 5-10, 167, Sr.; Tanner Morris, Big Sandy, 6-0, 205, Jr.; Dalton Sanders, Carlisle, Sr.; Kamari Smith, Grapeland, 5-11, 195, Jr.; Ryder Sparkman, Cayuga, Fr.; Drew Cotten, Sr., Grace; Luke Lee, Sr., All Saints.
Defensive Backs – Ameron Dean, Longview, 5-10, 170, Sr;. Kieran Freeman, John Tyler, 5-9, 155, Jr.; Wesly Irons, Lindale, 6-0, 180, Sr.; Da’Quaylon Kennedy, 5-10, 160, John Tyler, Jr.; Javontavius Mosley, John Tyler, 6-1, 170, Jr.; Micahh Smith, Marshall, 6-1, 198, sr.; Jeremy Bateman, Athens, 5-10, 165, sr.; Dalton Ernest, Pittsburg, 5-11, 150, Sr.; Devin Smith, Gilmer, 5-10, 163 sr.; Q.T. Barker, Malakoff, 5-9, 160, jr.; Justice Bean, Frankston, 5-11,186, Sr.; Brandon Cook, White Oak, 5-10, 153, jr.; Dax Davis, White Oak, 5-11, 155, Sr.; Keenen Johnson, Alto, Sr.; Michael Savala, Carlisle, sr.; Nathan Jasper, All Saints; Blake Johnson, Sr., Bishop Gorman; Mason Dacus, Sr., Grace Community.
Punters – Jordan Lawless, Lindale, 6-2, 175, Sr.; Scott Deal, Longview Spring Hill, 6-4, 190, Sr.; Brendan Harcrow, Elkhart, 6-1, 200, Jr.; Trevor Taylor, Big Sandy Harmony, Sr.; Blake Holbrook, Sr., Grace Community.
Kick Returners – Devin Smith, Gilmer, sr.; Q.T. Barker, Malakoff, 5-9, 160, jr.; Kartney Hampton, Jr., Mineola.