By Shannon Fagan, WEIS Sports Director
The Cherokee County Warriors earned their third straight Class 4A state runner-up earlier this month. It should come as no surprise the Warriors (13-2) led the area in all-state football selections.
The Alabama Sports Writers Association announced its annual all-state teams on Saturday morning. The Warriors had six players recognized in Class 4A, including three first-team selections, two second teamers, and an honorable mention.
In all, the coverage area had 21 athletes recognized by the ASWA.
On the Class 4A First Team is Cherokee County junior offensive lineman Asa Holbert, senior defensive lineman Tae Diamond, and senior linebacker Tristan Brown.
Holbert led the team in knockdowns and didn’t give up a sack. Diamond delivered 102 total tackles, including 17 for loss with 22 sacks, four forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and an interception. Brown led the Warriors in total tackles with 166, including 25 for loss. He also had five sacks, forced two fumbles and had an interception.
Warrior senior offensive lineman Landon Ransum and junior defensive lineman Dylan Duncan both earned spots on the 4A Second Team.
Ransum, a four-year starter, didn’t allow a sack last season. Duncan delivered 115 total tackles, including 11 for loss, with six sacks and a fumble recovery.
The Warriors also had an honorable mention in junior tight end Ben Moseley. Moseley, recognized as an honorable mention on the offensive line, was second on the Warriors in knockdowns. He also caught 10 passes for 256 yards and four touchdowns.
The Piedmont Bulldogs (13-1) had five athletes recognized in Class 3A. Junior wide receiver Rollie Pinto and senior defensive lineman Kale Austin earned first-team selections.
Pinto set a new Alabama High School Athletic Association single-season receiving record with 1,826 yards and 21 touchdowns on 108 catches. Austin recorded over 90 tackles with 16 for loss and seven sacks.
Senior quarterback Cole Wilson and sophomore linebacker Bentley Chandler were chosen to the 3A second team. Wilson threw for 3,383 yards and 39 touchdowns. Chandler made over 110 tackles, including five for loss with a pair of sacks.
Senior wide receiver Ishmael Bethel is an honorable mention. Bethel had 75 receptions for 1,240 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Also in 3A, the Collinsville Panthers (7-4) had a pair of second-team selections in sophomore linebacker Kyler Beene and junior athlete Quintavious Rogers.
Beene posted 90 total tackles, including 15 for loss with seven sacks, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, six pass breakups and 11 quarterback pressures. Rogers, primarily a running back, accumulated 1,201 yards and 20 touchdowns on 182 carries. He also caught 28 passes for 581 yards and six scores, had a punt return for a touchdown and a kickoff return for a score.
Panther sophomore quarterback/defensive back Mason McAteer was named an honorable mention athlete. McAteer threw for 1,701 yards and 15 touchdowns and also ran for 412 yards and 12 scores on 69 carries.
In Class 2A, Sand Rock senior Kane Robison was selected as an honorable mention athlete. Robison, a running back and linebacker, ran for 1,068 yards and 12 touchdowns on 175 carries. He also had 51 solo tackles and 12 assists with 11 tackles for loss for the Wildcats (5-6).
Seniors John and Jacob Welsh were chosen first teamers from the Spring Garden Panthers (11-1) in Class 1A.
John Welsh garnered a spot at athlete. He caught 31 passes for 615 yards and 13 touchdowns and also ran for 600 yards on 42 carries with 10 scores. As a linebacker, he had 60 tackles, eight sacks, four fumble recoveries and three interceptions, with two of those returned for touchdowns.
Jacob Welsh earned a spot on the offensive line. He graded out at 95 percent with 65 pancakes and allowed no sacks.
Senior Connor Bates claimed a second-team spot at running back, as did Gaylesville senior Alex Baty.
Bates ran for 1,430 yards and 20 touchdowns on 107 carries. He also caught 12 passes for 285 yards and four scores. Baty accumulated 1,828 yards and 26 touchdowns on 190 rushing attempts for the Trojans (4-5). He set a new AHSAA single-game rushing record with 535 yards and six touchdowns on 43 totes in Gaylesville’s 62-28 victory over Woodville on Oct. 25.
On the Class 1A Second Team Defense, Spring Garden had a pair of selections in senior defensive lineman Grey Simpson and senior defensive back Noah Barber. Simpson had 70 tackles and four sacks. Barber had 52 tackles and an interception.
The complete ASWA All-State Football Teams list can be found on the WEIS radio website.
