2019 All 5Star Preps Football Team
Coach of the Year: Bryson Rosser, Central
Offensive POY: Elijah Young, South-Doyle RB
Defensive POY: Kalib Fortner, Central LB
Underclassman Offensive POY: Adarius Redmond, Powell WR
Underclassman Defensive POY: Marshaun Bowers, TKA DB
All-Underclassman Team: 2019
All-5Star Preps OFFENSE
QUARTERBACKS
FIRST TEAM
Cade Chambers (Maryville, senior): The Indiana State signee and Class 6A BlueCross Bowl MVP threw for 2,009 yards and 31 TDs, ran 548 yards and eight TDs and led Maryville to the 2019 Class 6A state championship.
Braden Carnes (Greenback, senior): Carnes helped steer Greenback to a 1A state title game appearance with 4,116 yards, 52 passing touchdowns and five rushing touchdowns.
Trey Foster, (Austin-East, senior): Foster spearheaded an A-E run to the Class 3A state quarterfinals with 2,433 passing yards, 25 passing touchdowns, 1,716 rushing yards and 20 rushing touchdowns.
Dakota Fawver (Central, senior): Fawver won 5A BlueCross Bowl MVP for guiding Central to a second consecutive Class 5A championship. He threw for 2,879 yards and 30 TDs while rushing for 413 yards and three scores.
SECOND TEAM
Walker Trusley (Powell, senior): Trusley was one of the area’s most clutch QBs and captained a 10-0 regular season with some special comebacks. He threw for 2,342 yards and 27 scores while rushing for 603 yards and eight TDs.
Collin Ironside (Bearden, senior): Though early season injury slowed what was to be a big senior season for Ironside, he healed and rebounded to throw for 1,483 yards and 16 TDs with 331 rushing yards and four TDs.
Cooper Riggs (Grace Christian, junior): A Division II-A Mr. Football semifinalist, Riggs threw for 3,053 yards and 27 touchdowns this past fall.
Gavin Wilkinson (Farragut, senior): Wilkinson rebounded from a slow start to throw for 2,308 yards and 15 touchdowns, while steering the Admirals to the Class 6A second round.
RUNNING BACKS
FIRST TEAM
Elijah Young (South-Doyle, senior): The 5Star Preps Offensive Player of the Year, Gatorade State Player of the Year and Class 5A Mr. Football rushed for 39 touchdowns and an area-best 2,170 yards. He signed with Missouri.
Jalen Hunt (McMinn County, junior): An all-state selection in 6A, Hunt ran 178 times for 1,728 yards and 14 touchdowns while also making 83 tackles and four interceptions.
Isaiah Mattress (Knox. West, junior): Size. Power. Speed. It all applied to Mattress’ style out of the backfield this past season, when he ran for 1,186 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Tee Hodge (Maryville, senior): The Tennessee signee caught fire in the postseason and doubled his production from the regular season, in which he battled injury. Hodge ran for 1,000 yards and 15 TDs in Maryville’s 6A title season.
SECOND TEAM
Parker McGill (Maryville, junior): McGill shouldered the load of the Maryville run game during the regular season while Tee Hodge healed. He would up with 178 carries for 1,278 yards and 10 TDs in 2019.
Bryce Akey (Gatlinburg-Pittman, senior): One of the area’s top workhorses out of the backfield, Akey ran 200 times for 1,705 yards and 28 touchdowns while also playing defense (41 tackles, 7 TFLs, 5 sacks).
Ahmaudd Sankey (Alcoa, junior): Sankey only logged 89 carries in 15 games for state-champion Alcoa but led the team in carries, rushing yards (887), rushing touchdowns (17) while also getting involved in the pass game (160 yards, 2 TDs).
Kolby Morgan (Oneida, junior): Morgan ran 190 times for 1,318 yards and 19 TDs while also working as a next-level punter: 45 punts for 37.6 yards per punt (11 down inside 20).
WIDE RECEIVERS
FIRST TEAM
Holden Willis (Greenback, senior): The Class 1A Mr. Football and recent South Florida commitment made 73 catches for 1,704 yards and 28 touchdown catches, the latter of which set a TSSAA single-season state record.
A.J. Davis (Maryville, senior): A long-time standout at Maryville, Davis didn’t disappoint as a senior. He caught 53 passes for 818 yards and 12 touchdowns. Not to mention, he went 2-for-2 passing for two TDs and ran for 178 yards on 16 carries.
Ashton Maples (Maryville, senior): A former Liberty commit and now Tennessee Tech commitment, Maples proved Maryville’s big-play guy: 31 catches for 673 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Brayden Hurst (Sevier County, senior): No one filled stat sheets like Hurst. Get this: he had 60 catches for 994 yards and 13 TDs. He ran 18 times for 150 yards and two TDs. He had 118 tackles, five sacks, six blocked kicks, two INTs and and three TDs on returns. He punted and was the snapper on kicking attempts.
SECOND TEAM
Keon Smith (Austin-East, junior): One of Trey Foster’s favorite targets, Smith reeled in 59 passes for 1,159 yards and 16 touchdowns this past fall for the Roadrunners.
Zack Tilley (The King’s Academy, senior): Known for his basketball prowess a year ago, Tilley came into his own as a football player this fall with 80 catches for 1,181 yards and 13 scores.
Hayden Candela (Bearden, senior): Candela put together a solid senior season despite not having his longtime QB for half the season. Candela caught 77 passes for 923 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Duke Stinnett (Greenback, senior): Stinnett played a large roll as a complementary receiver to Holden Willis, and he did so with 1,182 receiving yards and 12 TDs. He also pulled defensive duty with 54 tackles.
ALL-PURPOSE ATHLETES
FIRST TEAM
Drew Jackson (Loudon, senior): The Redskins ran to the 3A semifinals, and Jackson sparked the campaign with 1,450 yards rushing and 19 TDs on the ground. He added 39 tackles, a passing TD, 235 rushing yards and three rushing TDs.
Isaiah Ligon (Austin-East, senior): The four-time all-state selection capped his varsity career like this: 986 yards rushing, 554 yards receiving, 13 total TDs, 114 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two INTs and three forced fumbles.
Bailor Hughes (Powell, senior): Called into action in the backfield after Fernando Frances’ injury, Hughes showed his skills with 894 yards rushing, 1,453 all-purpose yards, three interceptions and a 41.8-yard-per-punt average.
Ja’chim Williams (The King’s Academy, junior): Williams did it all for TKA. He had 51 carries for 446 yards and seven scores. He had 616 yards receiving and five touchdowns. He made 86 tackles with 10 TFLs, three pass breakups and two forced fumbles.
Omarian Wright (West, senior): An standout special teams return man and defensive back, Wright also led West with 31 catches for 723 yards and 11 touchdowns.
SECOND TEAM
Alec Keathley (Farragut, senior): Keathley was a bright spot for the Admirals in 2019, catching 64 passes as a tight end with 783 yards and seven scores. He also ran 26 times for 134 yards and three TDs and made 46 tackles with three TFLs.
Troy Davis (Gibbs, senior): No one wanted to face Gibbs in the second half of the regular season. Davis, a quarterback, was a big reason for that. He ran 190 times for 1,379 yards. He had 18 rushing TDs and five passing.
Caleb Curcio (Grace Christian, junior): Grace coach Rusty Bradley utilized Curcio well. He ran for 794 yards and 22 TDs. He had 496 receiving yards and four scores. He finished with 1,681 all-purpose yards.
Jake Parris (Halls, senior): Parris provided the punch in Halls’ squad this past season with 1,248 yards rushing, 14 touchdowns, 296 yards receiving, four touchdowns, 63 tackles, seven tackles for loss and an interception.
Isaiah Johnson (Oak Ridge, senior): Johnson emerged as a two-way standout for the Wildcats in 2019, hauling in 715 receiving yards and eight scores while making 31 tackles and intercepting three passes.
OFFENSIVE LINE
FIRST TEAM
Bryn Tucker (Catholic, senior): Tucker proved to be an Under Armour 2020 All-American and Clemson signee.
Chris Everhart (Greeneville, senior): Everhart won two state titles (2017-18) and signed with Marshall.
Brackston Alford (Alcoa, senior): The Memphis signee helped Alcoa win a fifth state title in a row.
Bryce Goodner (McMinn County, junior): The 6-3, 290-pounder is one of the fastest-rising names in our area’s recruiting game.
Tyler Jeffries (Greenback, freshman): A starter on both sides of the line, Jeffries’ talent is already garnering SEC offers.
Cooper Mays (Catholic, senior): Injury slowed him a little, but the Tennessee signee helped Catholic make the playoffs.
SECOND TEAM
Lance Williams (Alcoa, freshman): It didn’t take long for Williams to find the starting lineup. He’s destined for college football.
Michael Treadwell (Powell, senior): Led an offense that put up 5,000 yards and 36 points per game in 13 games.
Jmarion Gooch (The King’s Academy, junior): With Power 5 offers abound, Gooch is just tapping into his potential.
Tyrell Ragland (Knox. West, senior): One of the top area linemen in Class 5A, Ragland has FCS and Division II offers to mull.
Eli Mitchell (Alcoa, senior): Graded out at 95 percent or better at left guard for the five-time defending champs.
Hayden Todd (Catholic, sophomore): The 6-3 Todd has started at center for two years for the Fighting Irish.
All-5Star Preps DEFENSE
DEFENSIVE LINE
FIRST TEAM
Grey Carroll (Alcoa, junior): This FBS prospect and 2019 Class 3A Mr. Football finalist led Alcoa to a fifth consecutive state title with 85 tackles, 16 TFL, 7.5 sacks, seven QB pressures and four blocked kicks.
Ethan Ensley (Maryville, senior): A disruptive presence for Maryville’s defense all season, Ensley carded 32 tackles for loss to go with 66 tackles, nine sacks and a forced fumble.
Tyler Baron (Catholic, senior): The Tennessee signee made an impact in his lone season in Knoxville, recording team highs with 103 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.
Tyrece Edwards (West, senior): The former Arkansas commit helped West reach the 5A semifinals with 94 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks.
Colton Webb (Powell, senior): An East Tennessee State commitment, Webb had 99 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 36 QB pressures and nine sacks in his final high school season.
SECOND TEAM
Derrell Bailey Jr. (Greenback, senior): The big Virginia Tech signee played offensive and defensive line for the Cherokees. Bailey, defensively, made 63 tackles with 11.5 tackles for loss.
Jaylen Moore (Hardin Valley, senior): Though he battled injury, Moore still made eight sacks and nine tackles for loss to go with his 47 tackles in 2019.
Mark Adams Jr. (Central, sophomore): Adams used his frame and speed to come off the edge and make 60 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks in the Bobcats’ championship run.
Leyton Mitchel (Greeneville, senior): Mitchell popped up on the radar this past season with some big statistics up front: 96 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 11 sacks.
Eunique Valentine (Central, senior): Valentine is a Navy commitment who rang up 10 sacks, 15.5 tackles for loss and 102 tackles during the Bobcats journey to another 5A title.
LINEBACKERS
FIRST TEAM
Kalib Fortner (Central, junior): The 5Star Preps Defensive Player of the Year led Central’s defense with 120 tackles, 34 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and two interceptions.
Mason Shelton (Maryville, senior): A Coastal Carolina signee, Shelton helped Maryville win Class 6A with 129 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and five forced fumbles.
Drew Francis (West, senior): The former Arkansas commitment had another great season defensive for the Rebels, chalking up 86 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss and five sacks.
Noah Myers (South-Doyle, junior): A Division I prospect, Myers jumped onto the scene in 2019 with 82 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and three sacks.
Ty Youngblood (Greeneville, senior): The Furman signee and 2019 Class 4A Mr. Football finalist went out with a bang: 151 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles.
Terrell Brown (South-Doyle, junior): A Division I prospect, Brown led South-Doyle in tackles (85) and sacks (six) while also making 11.5 stops behind the line and recovering two fumbles.
Cam Burden (Alcoa, junior): Burden transitioned to the defensive side of the ball this season and wound up 2019 BlueCross Bowl MVP. He led Alcoa in tackles with 90 and also had 13 tackles for loss.
SECOND TEAM
Jacob Adams (Oak Ridge, senior): One of the surest tacklers around, Adams capped his varsity career like this: 126 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss and two sacks.
Stone Cummins (Anderson County, junior): The Mavericks surprised many in 2019, and Cummins helped spring that with 83 tackles, nine tackles for loss, four sacks and an interception.
Lou Burchfield (Maryville, junior): Showing the depth of the Maryville linebacking corps, Burchfield made 89 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and eight sacks.
Luke Filipkowski (Hardin Valley, senior): Filipkowski is starting to get next-level interest, and for good reason. He made 97 tackles and had 30 tackles for loss this past fall.
Hunter Barnhart (Oneida, senior): The Indians pride themselves on defense, and Barnhart led the way on that in 2019 with 135 tackles and an interception
Eli Purcell (Farragut, junior): Purcell proved to be one of the better defenders in Region 1-6A with 96 tackles, four sacks and 15 tackles for loss.
Max Smith (CAK, senior): Smith led the Warriors in tackles with 147 and got in the backfield for five sacks and five tackles for loss.
THE SECONDARY
FIRST TEAM
Isiah Cox (Alcoa, junior): Already raking in Division I offers, Cox is one of the top athletes and defensive backs around. He wound up with 29 tackles, two interceptions and three touchdowns.
Caden Tollett (Alcoa, senior): Tollett found his way into the pass lanes this season. He intercepted six passes to go along with 6w tackles for the state-champion Tornadoes.
Drew Crowder (Maryville, senior): Crowder’s patience with his career paid off, taking advantage of playing time this season and bursting onto the scene with five interceptions.
A.J. Stewart (Greeneville, senior): Stewart’s lone season with the Greene Devils proved productive. He made 49 tackles, four interceptions, seven pass breakups and two fumble recoveries.
Jaidin Horton (Central, junior): Horton got better as the season wore on and will enter 2020 as a player to watch after making 65 tackles this past fall with five interceptions.
SECOND TEAM
Santana Curtis (South-Doyle, senior): An Air Force signee, Curtis broke up eight passes this past season to go along with his 43 tackles.
Wyatt Rutgerson (Greenback, senior): Rutgerson made 59 tackles and five interceptions to tack on top of his 873 rush yards, 13 rush TDs, 590 yards receiving and five TD catches.
Braden Gaston (Central, senior): Gaston was a big continbutor in Central’s back-to-back 5A state titles. Not only was he a dependable receiver (686 yards, 13 TDs) in 2019 but he also got it done in the secondary (34 tackles, two INTs).
Marshaun Bowers (The King’s Academy, 8th grade): The 5Star Preps Defensive Underclassman of the Year played varsity as an eighth-grader and still made five interceptions, seven pass breakups and 34 tackles.
Kelton Gunn (Hardin Valley, senior): The speedy tailback ran 173 times for 1,074 yards and 14 TD. He also had 11 catches for 120 yards and a score to go along with 23 tackles and two interceptions.
KICKERS/PUNTERS
FIRST TEAM
Zeke Rankin (Alcoa, senior): The Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Kicker made 89 of 90 PATs, 4 of 7 field goals and had 66 touchbacks. He also averaged 43.7 yards per punt.
Zander Tonkin (CAK, senior): Tonkin made 14 of 15 field goals, including makes from 43, 48 and 51. He also made 25 of 26 PATs for the Warriors while converting all three onside kick attempts.
Daniel Bethel (Anderson County, junior): Bethel averaged 38.2 yards per punt with a long of 56, downing six inside the 20. He had 63 touchbacks in 81 attempts, made 55 PATs and 3 of 5 field goals.
Bryson Flynn (Gatlinburg-Pittman, junior): Flynn had 60 touchbacks in 77 attempts, made 6 of 7 field goals, 48 of 53 PATs and averaged 41.1 yards per punt.
SECOND TEAM
CeJ Jones (Greeneville, senior): Jones made 4 of 6 field goals, 61 of 66 PATs, 60 touchbacks in 82 attempts and averaged 38.0 yards per punt, downing nine inside the 20.
Job Matossian (William Blount, sophomore): In addition to his duties as a skill player, Matossian averaged 37.9 yards per punt, made 31 of 39 PATs, 6 of 13 field goals (long of 54) and 18 touchbacks.
Paxton Robertson (Catholic, senior): Robertson averaged 39.5 yards per punt, made 45 of 47 PATs and 5 of 9 field goals.
Ryan Bolton (Central, sophomore): Bolton punted 39 times for a 39.2 average, having a long of 63 and having 20 downed inside the 20.