Fifteen area players highlight the 2010 Associated Press All-State High School Football Poll, released Sunday. In Class AAA, Gainesville senior A.J. Johnson was named the Defensive Player of the Year after recording 186 tackles, 12 for loss, one sack and one interception this season from the linebacker position.
Buford, fresh off its fourth-straight Class AA championship, put five juniors and one senior on the team, while Jess Simpson was named the Coach of the Year.
Buford’s Vadal Alexander was named a first-team lineman and was joined on the first team by teammate Dillon Lee in the athlete position.
Lee caught 13 passes for 349 yards and eight touchdowns on offense and recorded 71 tackles (eight for loss), three sacks and five interceptions on defense.
Rick LeGrant was named a first team defensive lineman.
Wolves lineman Kurt Freitag and defensive back C.J. Moore were named the second-team defense.
Seon Jones, the lone senior from the Wolves, received an honorable mention after rushing for 1,204 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Two Dawson County seniors made the Class AA first team: defensive back Ethan Brown and offensive lineman Zach Johnson.
East Hall’s senior defensive end Sterling Bailey was named to the Class AA second team after recording 64 tackles, 14 for loss, and five sacks. Zach Allen, a senior defensive lineman from Jefferson, was placed on the honorable mention list.
Also from Gainesville, senior defensive back Kendrick Millsap was named to Class AAA’s second team. Millsap had 48 tackles, eight interceptions and seven pass break-ups.
Ashely Lowery of White County was named to the first team offense in the athlete position after rushing for 1,340 yards and fifteen touchdowns and tallying 112 tackles and two interceptions on defense.
Flowery Branch put three seniors on the Class AAAA team. Will Monday was named the first team punter, while Logan Conley was named a second team wide receiver. Quarterback Austin Brown receiving an honorable mention.
Brown threw for 2,588 yards and 24 touchdowns this season, with 1,072 yards and 12 touchdowns going to Conley.
2010 Associated Press All-State Football Team
All-Classification Player of the Year
QB Tim Byerly, Chattahoochee, Sr.
CLASS AAAAA
Offensive Player of the Year — Taylor Heinicke, Collins Hill
Defensive Player of the Year — Cameron Lynch, Brookwood
Coach of the Year — Mark Crews, Brookwood
First Team
Offense
QB — Tyler Heinicke, Collins Hill, Sr.
RB — Tevin King, Colquitt County, Sr.
RB — Nick Tompkins, Brookwood, Jr.
WR — Demarco Robinson, M.L. King, Sr.
WR — Malcom Mitchell, Valdosta, Sr.
TE — Jay Rome, Valdosta, Sr.
L — Xzavier Ward, Colquitt County, Sr.
L — Xavier Hemingway, McEachern, Sr.
L — Blake Fussell, Brookwood, Sr.
L — Tarik Cook, Stephenson, Sr.
L — D.J. Glover, Camden County, Sr.
K — Nicolas St. Germain, McEachern, Jr.
ATH — C.J. Uzomah, North Gwinnett, Sr.
Defense
L —Robert Nkemdiche, Grayson, Soph.
L —Darius English, McEachern, Jr.
L —James Mathis, Lowndes, Jr.
L —Jarontay Jones, Stephenson, Jr.
LB —Cameron Lynch, Brookwood, Sr.
LB —Jabari Hunt-Days, Hillgrove, Sr.
LB —Patrick Callaway, M.L. King, Sr.
LB —Josh Clemons, Lowndes, Jr.
DB —Nick Moore, Brookwood, Sr.
DB —De'Nard Ford, McEachern, Sr.
DB —Jason Holdway, Etowah, Sr.
DB —DeAndre Rashada, Newton, Sr.
P —Derrick Sutton, Marietta, Sr.
RET —Jared Boyd, Stephenson, Sr.
Second Team
Offense
QB — Jonquel Dawson, M.L. King, Jr.
RB — Kyle Vorster, Walton, Sr.
RB — Kenyan Drake, Hillgrove, Jr.
WR — Tommy Hudson, Colquitt County, Sr.
WR — Zay Howard, Collins Hill, Sr.
TE — Rory Anderson, McEachern, Sr.
L — Manrey Saint-Amour, North Gwinnett, Sr.
L — Bryce Giddens, Colquitt County, Jr.
L — Trey White, Etowah, Sr.
L — Joe Turner, Roswell, Sr.
L — Danny Jaspers, Collins Hill, Sr.
K — Mat Ehasz, Camden County, Sr.
ATH — Gage Henry, Hillgrove, Sr.
Defense
L — Ira McCune, Hillgrove, Sr.
L — Demetrius Alston, Norcross, Sr.
L — Reginald Carter, Stephenson, Soph.
L — Julius Peacock, Kennesaw Mountain, Sr.
LB — Christian Harris, Etowah, Sr.
LB — Jermaine Holmes, Valdosta, Sr.
LB — William Smalls, South Cobb, Sr.
LB — Dustin Gayton, West Forsyth, Sr.
DB — Tiquan Lang, Lowndes, Soph.
DB — Kadetrix Marcus, Stephenson, Sr.
DB — Zack Blaylock, Walton, Jr.
DB — Darren Waller, North Cobb, Sr.
P — Joey Vicary, North Forsyth, Sr.
RET — Myles Campbell, Duluth, Soph.
Honorable Mention
ATH Mikhal Abdul-Saboor, Alpharetta; RB Tony Braswell, Lowndes; QB Tyler Brown, Colquitt County; DB Dakota Conn, Collins Hill; WR Jeff Glover, Collins Hill; OL Austin Hagan, Mill Creek; DL Johnny McWilliams, Norcross; LB Michael Peek, Grayson; QB Kent Rollins, South Gwinnett; QB John Russ, Mill Creek; WR Justyn Shackleford, Berkmar; WR Andre Sims, Brookwood; QB Eman Westmoreland, Central Gwinnett; QB Ryan Whilden, Valdosta; RB Aaron Wimberly, South Gwinnett
CLASS AAAA
Offensive Player of the Year — Josh Clemons, Whitewater
Defensive Player of the Year — Brian Randolph, Kell
Coach of the Year — Terry Crowder, Chattahoochee
First Team
Offense
QB — Tim Byerly, Chattahoochee, Sr.
RB — Josh Clemons, Whitewater, Sr.
RB — Dequan Daniels, Statesboro, Soph.
WR — Kane Whitehurst, Chattahoochee, Sr.
WR — Garrett Brown, Pope, Sr.
WR — Chris Conley, North Paulding, Sr.
L — Matt Kiefer, Chattahoochee, Sr.
L — Thomas O'Reilly, Pope, Sr.
L — Taylor Gadbois, East Paulding, Sr.
L — Brett Gillespie, Kell, Sr.
L — Alan Posey, Clarke Central, Sr.
K — Austin Hardin, Marist, Jr.
ATH — Chris Anderson, Brunswick, Sr.
Defense
L — Xzavier Dickson, Griffin, Sr.
L — Grady Jarrett, Rockdale County, Sr.
L — Ufomba Kamalu, Starr's Mill, Sr.
L — Josh Dawson, Tucker, Jr.
LB — Amarlo Herrera, North Clayton, Sr.
LB — Jordan Chambers, Kell, Jr.
LB — Aaron Johnson, Dutchtown, Sr.
LB — James Vaughters, Tucker, Sr.
DB — Brian Randolph, Kell, Sr.
DB — Eric Armagost, Starr's Mill, Sr.
DB — Josh Holsey, Creekside, Jr.
DB — Justin Coleman, Brunswick, Sr.
P — Will Monday, Flowery Branch, Sr.
RET — Dequadis Tucker, Carver-Atlanta, Sr.
Second Team
Offense
QB — Justin Walker, Lee County, Sr.
RB — Zach Laskey, Starr's Mill, Sr.
RB — Kamani Thomas, East Paulding, Soph.
WR — Logan Conley, Flowery Branch, Jr.
WR — Sanford Seay, Lee County, Sr.
WR — Jeff Greene, Starr's Mill, Sr.
L — Alec Barr, Starr's Mill, Sr.
L — Aaron Epps, Tucker, Sr.
L — Lamont Hardy, Lovejoy, Sr.
L — Shaun Hill, Apalachee, Sr.
L — Brian Layfield, Northside-Warner Robins, Sr.
K — Ammon Lakip, Chattahoochee, Sr.
ATH — Adam Holley, Starr's Mill, Sr.
Defense
L — Kole Wernowsky, Kell, Sr.
L — Barron Dixon, Chattahoochee, Sr.
L — Darius Caldwell, Mays, Sr.
L — David Washington, Lovejoy, Sr.
LB — James Dean, Glynn Academy, Sr.
LB — Elijah Goodrich, Starr's Mill, Sr.
LB — Torian Davis, Southwest DeKalb, Jr.
LB — Deilouse Jackson, Northside-Warner Robins, Sr.
DB — Bradley Newkirk, Houston County, Soph.
DB — Nick Luly, Creekview, Sr.
DB — Chaz Elder, Banneker, Jr.
DB — Chris Sanders, Tucker, Sr.
P — Ryan Kay, Dutchtown, Sr.
RET — Steven Nelson, Northside-Warner Robins, Sr.
Honorable Mention
OL Tovar Allen, Effingham County; ATH Evan Berry, Creekside; QB Austin Brown, Flowery Branch; LB Torian Davis, Southwest DeKalb; QB Holland Frost, Pope; OL Garrett Frye, South Forsyth; LB Walter Jackson, Hardaway; DB Teddy Lawrence, Rome; DL Nathan Lowman, Kell; QB Martay Mattox, Clarke Central; OL Matt Mills, Chattahoochee; ATH Austin Scott, Hardaway; DL Jack Thomas, Starr's Mill; RB Cambrell Turner, Woodland-Cartersville; RB Quenshaun Watson, Clarke Central.
CLASS AAA
Offensive Player of the Year — Travis Richmond, Peach County
Defensive Player of the Year — A.J. Johnson, Gainesville
Coach of the Year — Chip Walker, Sandy Creek
First Team
Offense
QB — Ronnie Bell, Sandy Creek, Sr.
RB — Travis Richmond, Peach County, Sr.
RB — Miles Jones, Allatoona, Jr.
WR — Alex Chisum, Sandy Creek, Sr.
WR — Vincent Dallas, Cedar Grove, Sr.
TE — Zach Gordon, Carrollton, Jr.
L — Randolph Williams, Peach County, Sr.
L — Chartavious Danzy, Washington County, Sr.
L — Watts Dantzler, Dalton, Sr.
L — Will Adams, Sandy Creek, Jr.
L — Brandon Greene, Cedar Grove, Jr.
K — Mitchell McMillin, Sandy Creek, Soph.
ATH — Ashely Lowery, White County, Sr.
Defense
L — Stephon Tuitt, Monroe Area, Sr.
L — Tyrus White, Cedar Grove, Sr.
L — Wesley Evans, Washington County, Sr.
L — Tevin McCoy, Carrollton, Jr.
LB — A.J. Johnson, Gainesville, Sr.
LB — Jamal Ware, Sandy Creek, Sr.
LB — Eddie Johnson, North Atlanta, Sr.
LB — Terrell Cason, Cairo, Jr.
DB — Mike Hilton, Sandy Creek, Jr.
DB — Geno Smith, St. Pius X, Jr.
DB — Bruce Dukes, Sandy Creek, Sr.
DB — Damian Swann, Grady, Sr.
P — E Smith, LaGrange, Sr.
RET — Dontae Beckham, Baldwin, Jr.
Second Team
Offense
QB — Johnathon McCrary, Cedar Grove, Soph.
RB — Broderick Snoddy, Carrollton, Sr.
RB — Marcus Caffey, Grady, Sr.
WR — Demarcus Robinson, Peach County, Soph.
WR — Desi Banks, Cedar Grove, Sr.
WR — Keithon Redding, Columbia, Jr.
L — Dalton Brumfield, Allatoona, Sr.
L — Uneik Crumbley, Americus-Sumter, Sr.
L — Linton Lattimore, Baldwin, Sr.
L — Burt McKinsey, Cairo, Sr.
L — Rashad Reynolds, Grady, Sr.
K — Shaun Kelly, Peach County, Sr.
ATH — Corey Mayton, Burke County, Sr.
Defense
L — Kitray Solomon, Baldwin, Sr.
L — Sheldon Rankins, Eastside, Jr.
L — Mason Harris, Ridgeland, Sr.
L — Jordan Watkins, Woodward Academy, Jr.
LB — K.B. Maison, Allatoona, Jr.
LB — Ukeme Eligwe, Stone Mountain, Jr.
LB — Demarcus Sherod, Columbia, Sr.
LB — Cassuas Hall, Peach County, Jr.
DB — Quintavious Knight, Grady, Jr.
DB — Kendrick Millsap, Gainesville, Sr.
DB — Jonathan Jones, Carrollton, Jr.
DB — Chris White, Dalton, Sr.
P — James Dugan, Carrollton, Sr.
RET — Kedrick Jones, Americus-Sumter, Sr.
Honorable Mention
DL Jonathan Battle, Americus-Sumter; ATH Telvin Brown, Carrollton; RB Tre'Shard Burdette, Monroe Area; OL Aaron Conaster, Perry; DL Chris Green, Westover; QB Brett Montgomery, Peach County; DB Rodney O'Neal, West Laurens; TE Michael Paul, Crisp County; QB Drek Reid, Richmond Academy; DL Gavin Rocker, Sandy Creek; ATH Demontevious Smith, Monroe Area; QB DeAndre Thomas, Baldwin; DL Kendarious Whitehead, Monroe Area; OL Brandon Wiggins, Peach County; RB Laquinton Williams, Cairo
CLASS AA
Offensive Player of the Year — Landon Curtis, Calhoun
Defensive Player of the Year — Shannon Brown, Cook
Coach of the Year — Jess Simpson, Buford
First Team
Offense
QB — Landon Curtis, Calhoun, Sr.
RB — Isaiah Crowell, Carver-Columbus, Sr.
RB — Marteze Waller, Putnam County, Jr.
WR — Rod Hall, Laney, Sr.
WR — J.T. Palmer, Calhoun, Sr.
TE — Leonard Floyd, Dodge County, Jr.
L — Kyle Harris, Pepperell, Sr.
L — Vadal Alexander, Buford, Jr.
L — Jodece Smith, Carver-Columbus, Sr.
L — Zach Johnson, Dawson County, Sr.
L — Nick Lawson, Dade County, Sr.
K — Adam Griffith, Calhoun, Jr.
ATH — Dillon Lee, Buford, Jr.
Defense
L — E.J. Shipman, Brooks County, Soph.
L — Greg Hall, North Oconee, Sr.
L — Rick LeGrant, Buford, Jr.
L — Gus Roberts, Calhoun, Sr.
LB — Shannon Brown, Cook, Sr.
LB — Alex Kirby, Calhoun, Sr.
LB — Eric Worthen, Swainsboro, Sr.
LB — Maurice Martin, Dublin, Jr.
DB — Tremane Kelly, Manchester, Sr.
DB — Tevin Stewart-Gaulden, Fitzgerald, Sr.
DB — Andre Jefferson, Southwest-Macon, Sr.
DB — Ethan Brown, Dawson County, Sr.
P — Landon Beck, Hart County, Sr.
RET — Valdon Cooper, Elbert County, Sr.
Second Team
Offense
QB — Zach Folsom, Cook, Jr.
RB — Dustin Christian, Calhoun, Sr.
RB — Janier Ferguson, Pepperell, Soph.
WR — Clifford Pettiford, Cook, Sr.
WR — Dee Joyner, Fitzgerald, Jr.
TE — Artis Samuel, Carver-Columbus, Jr.
L — Cameron Harper, Putnam County, Sr.
L — David Porter, Statesboro, Sr.
L — Chase Roberts, Greater Atlanta Christian, Jr.
L — Alex Brock, Vidalia, Sr.
L — Jarvis Terrell, Jefferson County, Sr.
K — Riley Lyons, Blessed Trinity, Sr.
ATH — Quaysean Davis, Tattnall County, Sr.
Second Team
Defense
L — Sterling Bailey, East Hall, Sr.
L — Kurt Freitag, Buford, Jr.
L — Kendall Lawson, Temple, Sr.
L — Lorenzo Mauldin, Jackson-Atlanta, Sr.
LB — Dakota Ball, Pepperell, Jr.
LB — Ronald Blair, Greene County, Sr.
LB — Hunter Knight, Calhoun, Jr.
LB — Brice Garrett, Fitzgerald, Sr.
DB — Antonio Carter, Carver-Columbus, Sr.
DB — Jeffrey Dyson, Thomasville, Sr.
DB — C.J. Moore, Buford, Jr.
DB — Lafayell Williams, Jefferson County, Jr.
P — Zack Evans, Southwest-Macon, Sr.
RET — Charles Broadus, Jefferson County, Sr.
Honorable Mention
DL Zach Allen, Jefferson; RB Zach Boden, Lovett; QB Hunter Budd, Lovett; ATH Kion Button, McIntosh County Academy; LB Mike Davis, Carver-Columbus; DB Derrick Farrow, Bleckley County; LB John Hampton, Dade County; RB Seon Jones, Buford; DL D.J. Lowe, Manchester; WR Todd Manning, Brooks County; QB Kaleb Nobles, Fitzgerald; ATH Dre Prather, Gordon Central; ATH Trey Register, Cook; LB DeWan Somerville, Swainsboro; WR Jaquay Williams, Heard County.
CLASS A
Offensive Player of the Year — Nick Marshall, Wilcox County
Defensive Player of the Year — Octavious Gordon, ECI
Coach of the Year — Jim Dickerson, Clinch County
First Team
Offense
QB — Nick Marshall, Wilcox County, Sr.
RB — Kyle Karempelis, Wesleyan, Sr.
RB — Fabian Forrest, Hawkinsville, Sr.
WR — Zach Walker, Johnson County, Sr.
WR — Josh Swan, Pace Academy, Sr.
TE — Alvin Dupree, Wilkinson County, Sr.
L — Deshaun Andrews, Clinch County, Sr.
L — David Andrews, Wesleyan, Sr.
L — Matt Rochell, Eagle's Landing Christian, Sr.
L — Javon James, Wilkinson County, Sr.
L — Dylan Turner, ECI, Sr.
K — Spencer Short, Wesleyan, Sr.
ATH — Tray Dorsey, Clinch County, Sr.
Defense
L — Cooper LeMonds, Savannah Christian, Sr.
L — Octavious Gordon, ECI, Sr.
L — Kenneth White, Clinch County, Jr.
L — Juwan Jones, Miller County, Sr.
LB — Keyante Green, Eagle's Landing Christian, Soph.
LB — Trey Richardson, Clinch County, Sr.
LB — Patrick Reynolds, Wilkinson County, Sr.
LB — Drew Widner, Wesleyan, Sr.
DB — Demonzio Stubbs, Wilkinson County, Sr.
DB — Damian Magby, Clinch County, Sr.
DB — Tev'n Hamilton, Darlington, Sr.
DB — Avery Walls, Eagle's Landing Christian, Sr.
P — Chris Milton, Charlton County, Sr.
RET — Mario Alford, Greenville, Sr.
Second Team
Offense
QB — D.J. Rozier, Johnson County, Sr.
RB — Steve Williams, Calvary Day, Sr.
RB — Anthony McNeil, Clinch County, Sr.
WR — Devonte Pierce, Treutlen, Sr.
WR — Jartae Haugabrook, Dooly County, Sr.
TE — Kennard Backman, Whitefield Academy, Sr.
L — Dylan Folds, Hawkinsville, Sr.
L — Jeremy Daniels, Lanier County, Jr.
L — Taylor Bridges, First Presbyterian Day, Sr.
L — Dalton Wetherington, Lincoln County, Jr.
L — Ollie Bazemore, Taylor County, Sr.
K — Ryan Thames, Landmark Christian, Sr.
ATH — Tay Porter, Wilcox County, Sr.
Defense
L — Tre Carter, Marion County, Sr.
L — Tanner Rogers, Eagle's Landing Christian, Sr.
L — Arthur Pollard, Darlington, Sr.
L — Brinson Porter, Wesleyan, Sr.
LB — Henry Terrell, Athens Academy, Sr.
LB — Austin Warren, Bremen, Sr.
LB — Frank Fallon, Holy Innocents', Sr.
LB — Merritt Hall, Wesleyan, Sr.
DB — Fred Tiller, Clinch County, Jr.
DB — Kevin Blackburne, Savannah Country Day, Sr.
DB — Franklin Sherman, Lincoln County, Sr.
DB — Jabarri Wilson, Warren County, Soph.
P — Garrett Mohr, Lincoln County, Sr.
RET — Rashard Fant, Our Lady of Mercy, Soph.
Honorable Mention
DB Marcus Bullard, Miller County; LB Tanner Burch, Savannah Christian; ATH Harrison Cheeley, Wesleyan; DB Isaac Dixon, Marion County; LB Brendan Douglas, Aquinas; ATH Devontae Drayton, Wilkinson County; RB Wezley Ealey, ECI; WR Cantrell Frazier, Landmark Christian; QB Andrew Frerking, Wesleyan; RB William McNeely, Prince Avenue Christian; RB Andrew Moore, Savannah Christian; WR Christian Reeves, Eagle's Landing Christian; LB Zack Thomas, Clinch County; ATH Morris Watson, Savannah Country Day; QB David Whipple, Wilkinson County