TIFTON — Led by seven players from the Tift County Blue Devils, the Tiftarea placed 19 players on the All-State football teams recently voted on by the Georgia Sports Writers Association.

The Devils went 12-2 on the year and made it to the semifinals in Class AAAAA for the first time since 1997. The sports writers were impressed with the Devils’ season as five Tift players made first-team, while two were honorable-mention.

According to the Georgia High School Football Historians Association Web site, the seven players selected are a school record. The previous high was six from the 1997 team.

Leading the list was first-team wide receiver Israel Troupe. It was the third year in a row, the University of Georgia commitment was named first-team All-State.

“Israel had a great year for us. This is his third year in a row being honored and he was very deserving,” said Tift County head coach Jay Walls.

In 2007, Troupe had 62 catches for 672 yards and six touchdowns. He also rushed 19 times for 120 yards, returned eight kickoffs for 194 yards and had 14 punt returns for 108 yards.

Another repeat performer on offense was first-team place-kicker Charlie Edwards. The senior was also first-team in 2005.

Edwards connected on 18 field goals this year, including three game-winners in overtime contests. He also converted 32-of-34 extra points.

“Charlie did a super job for us. When it was all said-and-done, he probably had a big hand in three or four victories for us,” Walls said.

Tift’s Zach Allen was named as a first-team offensive lineman. The junior graded out near 90 percent on the year.

“Zach is a two-year starter and it is great that he got recognized,” said Walls. “Most of the time, offensive linemen get overlooked.”

Another junior Blue Devil, Kaream Hess, was named as the first-team athlete on offense. In 2006, Hess had 1,295 yards rushing on 273 carries and caught 56 passes for 672 more yards.

Hess had 1,967 all-purpose yards and averaged nearly six yards every time he touched the football. On the year, Hess also had 17 touchdowns.

“Kaream was very deserving,” Walls said. “He has a great attitude and I think it was great he was recognized.”

Named as a first-team defensive back was Jay Gaskins. Playing in little over 10 games due to injuries, the senior had 74 total tackles, five interceptions, one caused fumble, one fumble recovery and one pass broken up.

“It was great that he was selected, especially since he played defensive end for us last season,” Walls said. “It shows what kind of athlete he is to make the move from that position to safety.”

Named honorable-mention by the sports writers were Tift linebackers Jeffery Searcy and Josh Abbott.

Only a sophomore, Abbott led the Devils in tackles with 119. He also broke up two passes, intercepted one pass and caused two fumbles.

“It is just outstanding that Josh was recognized,” Walls said. “Even though he is only a sophomore, Josh was very deserving. He is one of the hardest hitters that I have ever coached.”

Searcy was second on the team in tackles with 107. He also contributed six sacks, three caused fumbles, one fumble recovery and one interception.

“Jeffery is a phenomenal athlete,” said Walls. “He played very hard all year and he battled through problems with his shoulder and his knee.”

It was a big year for Region 1-AAAAA as four teams made it to the “Sweet 16” of the state playoffs and two ended up advancing to the Georgia Dome for the state semifinals as Tift was by Warner Robins.

With Houston County being in the state quarterfinals, three of the final eight teams remaining in the state were from 1-AAAAA.

At the All-State vote, the league was honored as 20 of the 47 total players picked in Class AAAAA were from the region.

Other first-team All-State players from Region 1-AAAAAA were offensive lineman Dylan Thompson, tight end Ben Collins, defensive lineman Princeton Dean and running back Eric O’Neal from Houston County; linebacker Bryan Buford and offensive lineman Robert Luciano from Warner Robins; defensive back Quam Hancock and defensive lineman Brooks Barbaree from Coffee; and defensive back Greg Reid from Lowndes.

O’Neal was also named the Class AAAAA Offensive Player of the Year.

Honorable-mention players from 1-AAAAA were Warner Robins’ Laron Scott and Roderick Rose, as well as Colquitt County’s Channing Hudson and Orion Ponder.

“I think it says a lot for the toughness of our region,” Walls said. “All of the kids that were recognized were very deserving.”

In Class AA, the Tiftarea had four players named first-team All-State.

Along the offensive line were Fitzgerald’s Travis Fleming and Berrien’s Tanner Strickland. Fitzgerald’s Corey Taylor was the first-team kick returner and the Purple Hurricane’s Jarrell Paschal was a first-team defensive lineman.

Fleming was a four-year starter and graded out at 90 percent on the year. He was also first-team All-State in 2005.

Strickland verbally committed to the University of Georgia before his junior year. He was one of the leaders this past season on a young Berrien High squad.

Taylor returned 15 kickoffs for 374 yards and 16 punts for 388 yards. He also had 51 total tackles as a defensive back. Taylor also had six tackles for loss, three sacks, an interception returned 80 yards for a touchdown and two fumble recoveries.

On offense, Taylor rushed for 371 yards on 44 carries and caught seven passes for 101 yards.

Paschal had 66 total tackles, 18 tackles for loss, five fumble recoveries and four sacks. The three-year starter did all of that, even though he is only 5-foot-6, 175 pounds.

Named honorable-mention in Class AA were Fitzgerald’s Brent Gordon and Nick Williams.

As a linebacker, Gordon came back with a vengeance after missing the 2005 season with an injury. The senior had 102 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss and two sacks.

Williams rushed for 1,104 yards and 19 touchdowns on the year from his running back spot.

The Tiftarea also had four first-team All-State picks in Class A, Turner County’s Keyshawn Odum and Lennie Richardson, as well as Irwin County’s Terry Ashley and Lindsey Wolfe.

Odum was named as a first-team offensive lineman. The 6-foot-4, 250 pound junior helped the Rebels rush for 2,220 yards and pass for 2,046 yards in 2006.

From his linebacker position, Richardson had 92 total tackles, eight sacks, 16 tackles for loss, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

Ashley was also named as a first-team linebacker as he had 110 total tackles, two interceptions, two pass breakups and two fumble recoveries.

Offensively, Ashley had 1,383 yards rushing on 162 carries. He also had one catch for 14 yards, was 5-of-9 passing for 136 yards, and added six kickoff returns for 95 yards and four punt returns for 16 yards. Overall, Ashley had 1,527 all-purpose yards.

Wolfe had a big year as a place-kicker for Irwin County. The senior converted 8-of-14 field goals with a long of 47. The eight field goals and the 47-yard kick were school records.

Wolfe also had a 40.4 average on his punts.

Named honorable-mention All-State in Class A by the sports writers were Turner wide receivers Demario Barber and Dontavious Smith.

Barber had 37 catches for 657 yards, while Smith had 34 catches for 648 yards. Barber scored 10 touchdowns, while Smith accounted for eight scores.

One other player with connections in the Tiftarea was also honored.

Peach County Trojan quarterback Bryan Ellis, who spent the first three years of his high school career as a Tiftarea Academy Panther, was named the first-team quarterback in Class AAA, as well as the AAA Offensive Player of the Year.

Ellis led the Trojans to the state title as he passed for over 3,600 yards and 31 touchdowns.



2006 Georgia Sportswriters

Association All-State Football Teams

Overall State Player of the Year: Eric Berry, Creekside



AAAAA

Off. Player of the Year: Eric O’Neal, Houston Co.

Def. POTY: Cameron Heyward, Peachtree Ridge

Coach of the Year: Blair Armstrong, Peachtree Ridge and Tim McFarlin, Roswell

Offense

QB- Justin Taliaferro, Roswell, 6-2, 185, Sr.

RB- Jonathan Dwyer, Kell, 6-1, 200, Sr.

RB- Eric O’Neal, Houston Co., 5-9, 180, Sr.

WR- Darius Hanks, Norcross, 6-1, 170, Sr.

WR- Israel Troupe, Tift Co., 6-1, 205, Sr.

TE- Ben Collins, Houston Co., 6-3, 230, Sr.

OL- Clint Boilings, Chattahoochee, 6-5, 260, Sr.

OL- Zach Allen, Tift Co., 6-2, 275, Jr.

OL- Justin Houser, North Cobb, 6-4, 275, Sr.

OL- Dylan Thompson, Houston Co., 6-5, 295, Sr.

OL- Robert Luciano, Warner Robins, 6-1, 255, Sr.

PK- Charlie Edwards, Tift Co., 6-0, 190, Sr.

Athlete – Kaream Hess, Tift. Co., 5-10, 180, Jr.

Specialist – Owen High, Union Grove, 5-9, 180, Sr.

Defense

DL- Cameron Heyward, Peachtree Ridge, 6-6, 280, Sr.

DL- Brooks Barbaree, Coffee, 6-1, 281, Sr.

DL- Princeton Dean, Houston Co., 6-0, 225, Sr.

DL- Ted Laurent, McEachern, 6-2, 295, Sr.

LB- Rennie Curran, Brookwood, 6-2, 200, Sr.

LB-Brian Buford, Warner Robins, 5-11, 195, Sr.

LB- Dorian Wood, South Cobb, 6-2, 220, Sr.

LB- Adam House, Camden Co., 6-1, 185, Sr.

DB- Greg Reid, Lowndes, 5-10, 180, So.

DB- Chris Lewis-Harris, Campbell, 5-9, 175, Sr.

DB- Quam Hancock, Coffee, 5-8, 175, Sr.

DB- Jay Gaskins, Tift. Co., 6-2, 200, Sr.

P- Drew Butler, Peachtree Ridge, 6-2, 195, Sr.

Honorable mention: Leron Scott, Warner Robins; Andy Schlutz, Alpharetta; Buster Skrine, Etowah; Gelman King, Douglass; Josh Abbott, Tift Co.; Jeffery Searcy, Tift Co.; Cordellaro Jones, M.L. King; Oluwadamilola Teniola, Stephenson; Thomas Darrah, Newnan; Channing Hudson, Colquitt Co.; Orion Ponder, Colquitt Co.; Bryce Dykes, Norcross; Kyle Jackson, Union Grove; Alex Daniel, Roswell; Austin Albany, Hiram; Recentae Harris, Tri-Cities; Adam Nissley, South Forsyth; Ryan McDaniel, North Gwinnett; Charles Bay, Wheeler; Roderick Rose, Warner Robins.



CLASS AAAA

Off. Player of the Year: Marques Ivory, Northside-WR

Def. Player of the Year: Deonta Jordan, Northside-WR

Coach of the Year: John Reid, East Paulding

Offense

QB- Marques Ivory, Northside-WR, 6-2, 240, Jr.

RB- Darius Marshell, Baldwin, 5-10, 195, Sr.

RB- Preston Lyons, Marist, 6-2, 218, Sr.

WR- Jacobi Rodriquez, Northside-WR, 6-0, 180, Sr.

WR- Aldreakis Allen, Madison Co., 6-1, 200, Sr.

TE- Anthony Rapley, Mays, 6-3, 210, Sr.

OL- Dante Wells, Rome, 6-3, 275, Sr.

OL- Hannibal Ruiz, Creekside, 6-3, 265, Sr.

OL- Patrick Wilson, St. Pius, 6-4, 280, Sr.

OL- Colton Reid, East Paulding, 6-0, 260, Sr.

OL- Jerome Bibbins, Northside-WR, 6-2, 280, Jr.

PK- J.B. Erickson, Clarke Central, 5-7, 131, Sr.

Athlete: Bobby Rainey, Griffin, 5-9, 200, Sr.

Returner: Cameron Kenney, Dacula, 6-2, 188, Sr.

Defense

DL- Darian Barnes, Baldwin, 6-3, 220, Sr.

DL- Torrey Ball, Cedar Shoals, 6-4, 200, Sr.

DL- Jason Stanley, Creekside,6-0, 250, Sr.

DL- Trezley Lockhart, Mays, 6-3, 215, Sr.

LB- Jennings Hester, Marist, 6-3, 228, Sr.

LB- Deonta Jordan, Northside-WR, 5-10, 225, Sr.

LB- Morris Council, SW DeKalb, 6-4, 230, Sr.

LB- Kayman Sutton, Creekside, 6-0, 205, Sr.

DB- Eric Berry, Creekside, 6-1, 195, Sr.

DB- John Knox, Statesboro, 6-2, 200, Sr.

DB- Sidney Harris, Griffin, 5-8, 170, Sr.

DB- Morgan Burnett, North Clayton, 6-2, 185, Sr.

P- Kevin Millword, Evans, 6-0, 215, Jr.

Honorable mention: Raymond Spivey, Pebblebrook; Debrale Smiley, Thomas County Central; Cameron Newton, Westlake; Jarrod Owens, Madison Co.; Cornelius Walker, Mays; Josh Hines, Rome; Justin Houston, Statesboro; Tyler Reedy, Sequoyah; Addison Williams, Westlake; Tymon Hudson, Rome; Chas Henry, East Paulding; Robby Davis, Starr’s Mill; Dontavian Bogan, Thomas County Central; Frank Demcry, Glynn Academy; Jonathan Davis, St. Pius; Wayne Bonner, Baldwin; Tijuan Green, Northside-WR; Fernando Pitts, Westside-Macon; Tyler Fish, St. Pius; Victor Daniels, Ware Co.





CLASS AAA

Offensive Player of the Year: Bryan Ellis, Peach Co.

Def. Player of the Year: Justin Smith, Monroe-Albany

Coach of the Year: Craig Fitts, Shaw

Offense

QB – Bryan Ellis, Peach Co., 6-2, 200, Sr.

RB- Roscoe Walls, Washington Co., 5-8, 175, Sr.

RB- Roddy Jones, Chamblee, 5-9, 190, Sr.

WR- Udom Umoh, Peach Co., 5-11, 185, Sr.

WR- Darryl Rowe, Monroe-Albany, 5-8, 155, Sr.

TE- Bruce Figgins, Shaw, 6-4, 245, Sr.

OL- Jeremiah Wright, Peach Co., 6-3, 260, Sr.

OL- Shaquan Hicks, Washington Co., 6-3, 320, Sr.

OL- Nick Claytor, Gainesville, 6-6, 312, Sr.

OL- David Noel, Monroe-Albany, 6-4, 290, Jr.

OL- Jarvis Pitts, Shaw, 6-0, 260, Jr.

Kicker: Juan Rodriguez, Peach Co., 5-10, 165, Sr.

Returner: Jerrard Tarrant, Carrollton, 6-2, 189, Sr.

Athlete: Deon Harden, Washington, 5-10, 175, Sr.

Defense

DL- Justin Smith, Monroe-Albany, 6-1, 250, Sr.

DL- Clyde Beatty, Cairo, 5-10, 175, Sr.

DL- Kanorris Davis, Perry, 5-11, 195, Jr.

DL- Jerico Brown, Glenn Hills, 6-1, 240, So.

LB- Patrick Graham, Carver-Columbus, 5-11, 225, Sr.

LB-Mychal Bailey, LaGrange, 6-0, 190, Sr.

LB- Mike Bowers, Hart Co., 5-11, 185, Sr.

LB- Ben Silvera, Shaw, 6-0, 210, Sr.

DB- Bryan Willis, Shaw, 6-0, 180, Jr.

DB- Rico Robinson, Grady, 5-9, 170, Sr.

DB- Chavius Jackson, Monroe-Albany, 5-11, 185, Sr.

DB- Jerrard Tarrant, Carrollton, 6-2, 189, Sr.

P- Chandler Anderson, Shaw, 5-11, 170, Sr.

Honorable mention: John Keye, Jackson; Jaybo Shaw, Flowery Branch; Sherman Stephens, Monroe-Albany; Reginald Bryant, Cairo; Korey Chambers, Apalachee; Dexter Barnett, Grady; Antwane Greenlee, Hardaway; C.J. Wood, Gainesville; Joseph Gilbert, Cartersville; Arsenio Williams, Shaw; Allen Thomas, Carver-Columbus; Mareo Howard, Peach Co.; D.J. Stafford, LaGrange; Vincent Scott, Thomson; DaNorris Searcy, Towers; Brad Lunsford, Jackson; Walter Hill, East Hall; T.J. Lynch, Hephizbah; Richie Rucker, Hart Co.; Shane McCord, Hart Co.



CLASS AA

Off. Player of the Year: Emmanuel Taylor, Early Co.

Defensive Player of the Year: Thomas Barnes, Dublin

Coach of the Year: Trey Woolf, Early Co.

Offense

QB- Josh Nesbitt, Greene Co., 6-2, 215, Sr.

RB- Kelmetrus Wylie, Washington-Wilkes, 6-0, 205, Sr.

RB- Dontavius Jackson, Heard Co., 5-11, 195, Jr.

WR- De’Andre Blackmon, Rockmart, 6-5, 180, Sr.

WR-Brandon Collins, Brantley Co., 6-2, 209, Sr.

TE-Christian Harrison, Greene Co., 5-11, 175, Jr.

OL- Travis Fleming, Fitzgerald, 6-3, 260, Sr.

OL- T-Bob Hebert, GAC, 6-3, 260, Sr.

OL- Tanner Strickland, Berrien, 6-5, 315, Sr.

OL- Zack Skipper, Buford, 6-1, 245, Sr.

OL- Tyler Josey, Dublin, 6-1, 260, Sr.

K- Scott Blair, Calhoun, 5-11, 175, Sr.

Returner: Corey Taylor, Fitzgerald, 5-7, 140, Sr.

Athlete: Emmanuel Taylor, Early Co., 5-10, 180, Sr.

Defense

DL- A.J. Harmon, Jefferson Co., 6-5, 320, Jr.

DL- Omar Hunter, Buford, 6-0, 300, Jr.

DL- Chris Webb, Greene Co., 6-1, 285, Sr.

DL- Jarrell Paschal, Fitzgerald, 5-6, 175, Sr.

LB- T.J. Pridemore, Buford, 6-2, 230, Jr.

LB- Demont Gresham, Wash.-Wilkes, 5-10, 210, Sr.

LB- Thomas Barnes, Dublin, 5-10, 210, Sr.

LB- Curt Welch, Calhoun, 6-0, 205, Sr.

DB- D.J. Donley, Charlton Co., 6-4, 190, Sr.

DB- Elbert Lee, Early Co., 6-1, 195, Sr.

DB- Sanders Commings, Westside-Aug., 6-2, 185, Jr.

DB- Jamon Morris, Dublin, 5-9, 175, Sr.

P- Shawn Powell, Darlington, 6-5, 215, Sr.

Honorable mention: Eric Hannah, Jefferson Co.; Logan Walls, Dawson Co.; Trent George, Early Co.; Brent Gordon, Fitzgerald; Eli Crawford, North Oconee; Kaleb Beard, Pepperell; Andy Head, Lovett; Nick Schulz, Walker; Chris Clay, Randolph-Clay; Dwight Dasher, Charlton Co.; Nick Williams, Fitzgerald; Matt Broome, Pepperell; Caleb King, GAC; Lee Chapple, GAC; Jay Edwards, Brantley Co.; Calvin Daniels, Dodge Co.; Zeke Rozier, Bleckley Co.; Brian Wilcher, Dublin; Ben Cochran, Dublin; Darion Carter, Screven Co.



CLASS A

Offensive Player of the Year: Justin Gainey, Clinch Co.

Def. Player of the Year: Rontae Norman, Lincoln Co.

Coach of the Year: Michael Gunn, Athens Academy

Offense

QB- Cedric Rawlings, Johnson Co., 6-1, 190, Sr.

RB- Justin Gainey, Clinch Co., 5-10, 215, Sr.

RB- Darell Norman, Lincoln Co., 5-11, 175, Sr.

WR- Martin Weatherby, Fellowship Christ., 5-9, 185, Jr.

WR- Alfonzo Dennard, Wilcox Co., 5-10, 183, Jr.

TE- Brandon Mosley, Jefferson, 6-6, 235, Sr.

OL- Tyler Bowen, Telfair Co., 6-8, 325, Sr.

OL- Keyshawn Odom, Turner Co., 6-4, 250, Jr.

OL- Chris Little, Twiggs Co., 6-6, 340, Sr.

OL- Todd Jenkins, Athens Academy, 6-4, 250, Sr.

OL- Andrew Marvets, Brookstone, 6-0, 250, Sr.

Kicker- Lindsey Wolfe, Irwin Co., 5-9, 160, Sr.

Ret.: Jimmy Eden, Landmark Christ., 5-10, 175, Jr.

Athlete: Brandon Nolley, Hancock Central, 6-1, 215, Sr.

Defense

DL- Caleb Miller, Pacelli Catholic, 6-2, 245, Sr.

DL- Sacoby Carter, Hawkinsville, 6-2, 250, Sr.

DL-Alonzo Huff, Commerce, 6-1, 230, Sr.

DL- Dante Martin, Commerce, 5-10, 190, Sr.

LB- Terry Ashley, Irwin Co., 5-10, 180, Jr.

LB- Lennie Richardson, Turner Co., 6-3, 225, Sr.

LB- Brad Jefferson, Johnson Co., 6-3, 220, Sr.

LB- Keice Crite, Lincoln Co., 6-0, 205, Sr.

DB- Dequan Bembry, Hawkinsville, 5-8, 175, Sr.

DB- Rontae Norman, Lincoln Co., 5-9, 165, Sr.

DB- Mark LeGree, Pacelli Catholic, 6-1, 185,

DB- Addison Davids, Whitefield Acad., 5-11, 170, Sr.

P- Bobby Dover, Trion, 6-0, 190, Sr.

Honorable mention: Nick Stiles, Athens Academy; Matt Moody, Landmark Christian; Delvin Diggs, Claxton; Russ Cooper, Eagle’s Landing Christian; Deondrick Pina, Schley Co.; Baccarri Rambo, Seminole Co.; Justin Coon, Miller Co.; Rueben Haynes, Commerce; Lorenzo Dennard, Wilcox Co.; Brandon Barden, Lincoln Co.; Tommy Seals, Warren Co.; Dontovious Smith, Turner Co.; Demario Barber, Turner Co.; Trey Miller, Whitefield Academy; Jim Henry, Hawkinsville; B.J. Murray, Johnson Co.; Marvin Hughes, Emanuel Co. Institute; Eugene Kinlaw, Clinch Co.; John Douglas, Aquinas; David Grace, Hawkinsville.