By Jayson Larson Sports Editor
The Athens Hornets and Brownsboro Bears fought hard to get to the Class 3A playoffs this season, and that work was rewarded with the release of the 20-3A All District team.
The Hornets led the way with 21 first- and second-team nominations, followed by 20 selections for Brownsboro. Palestine was next with 15 selections.
Athens saw its season end at 4-7 in the bi-district round of the playoffs last week. Junior Justin Hofstetter, a linebacker, was named Defensive MVP. Hofstetter had a team-leading 95 tackles for the Hornets.
Hofstetter was joined by first-team defensive picks Xavier Harris, Kendall Sanders, James Marshall, Austin Fincher, Matt Jordan and C.J. Tatum.
Sanders was also a first-team pick on special teams.
Courtney Whitehead, who caught 55 passes this season, led the first-team Athens selections on offense. He was joined by center Scott Jordan and Matt Jordan at tight end.
The Bears, who finished the season 8-2 as bi-district finalists, had two players who were given superlative honors: senior running back Cameron Warren, a four-year starter, was named Offensive MVP, while sophomore Keuntis Thompson was named Defensive Newcomer of the Year.
Quarterback Zach Bailey was one of two unanimous first-team selections, along with Fairfield offensive tackle Dominic Owens.
Other Bear first-teamers were running back Jon Thompson, offensive guard Corbin Duke, offensive tackle Matt Bouchillon, placekicker Jose Mendez, defensive backs Bailey and Tyler Rogers, linebacker Dallas Huckabee and Brad McDonald and defensive end Jarad Davis.
Palestine Head Coach Booker T. Bowie was named Coach of the Year, and his quarterback, senior Olin Terry, was named District MVP. Fairfield’s Anthony Price was Offensive Newcomer of the Year.
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FIRST TEAM
QUARTERBACK — Zach Bailey, senior, Brownsboro
RUNNING BACK — Terrance Simon, junior, Palestine; Jon Thompson, junior, Brownsboro; Napolean Dennis, senior, Crockett
CENTER — Scott Jordan, sophomore, Athens; Casey Henry, senior, Palestine
GUARDS — *Dominic Owens, junior, Fairfield; Corbin Duke, junior, Brownsboro
TACKLES — Matt Bouchillon, senior, Brownsboro; Eli Pratt, senior, Fairfield
TIGHT END — Matt Jordan, senior, Athens
WIDE RECEIVERS — Courtney Whitehead, junior, Athens; Dominique Wheeler, sophomore, Crockett; Dominick Turner, senior, Westwood; E.J. Spurlock, junior, Palestine
PLACEKICKER — Jose Mendez, senior, Brownsboro; Rudy Castillo, sophomore, Fairfield
DEFENSIVE BACKS — Xavier Harris, junior, Athens; Kendall Sanders, sophomore, Athens; Zach Bailey, senior, Brownsboro; Tyler Rogers, senior, Brownsboro; Bobby Walker, sophomore, Palestine
INSIDE LINEBACKERS — James Marshall, senior, Athens; Dallas Huckabee, junior, Brownsboro; Ryan Pardue, junior, Palestine
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS — Austin Fincher, junior, Athens; Brad McDonald, senior, Brownsboro
DEFENSIVE ENDS — Matt Jordan, senior, Athens; Jarad Davis, senior, Brownsboro
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN — C.J. Tatum, junior, Athens; Justin McClesky, junior, Westwood; Aaron Stanhope, junior, Westwood
PUNTER — Jon Wolfe, junior, Crockett
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER — Kendall Sanders, sophomore, Athens
SECOND TEAM
QUARTERBACK — Tevin Watson, junior, Westwood
RUNNING BACK — Randall Gamble, senior, Athens; Decorey Chivers, junior, Palestine; Cameron Shead, senior, Westwood
CENTER — Carlton Croley, senior, Brownsboro
GUARDS — Felipe Robles, senior, Athens; Dave Simpson, senior, Palestine
TACKLES — Dillon Wenberg, senior, Athens; Glen Devlin, senior, Brownsboro; Morgan Blackstone, senior, Crockett
TIGHT END — Evan Simpson, senior, Fairfield
WIDE RECEIVERS — Jonathon Dora, senior, Athens; Deondre Taylor, junior, Brownsboro; Eric Robertson, senior, Palestine; Kenneth Green, junior, Palestine; Nick Marrow, senior, Westwood
PLACEKICKER — Zabdiel Mota, junior, Athens
DEFENSIVE BACKS — Tacameo Barker, senior, Athens; Nick Monmouth, junior, Athens; Jon Thompson, senior, Brownsboro; Kwamee James, junior, Crockett; Kenneth Green, junior, Palestine
INSIDE LINEBACKERS — Will Spradley, sophomore, Brownsboro; Kyle Cargill, senior, Palestine
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS — Desmond Bowie, senior, Athens; Ryan Owens, junior, Brownsboro; Sam Wren, senior, Palestine
DEFENSIVE ENDS — Justin Vause, senior, Brownsboro; Zack Stone, sophomore, Crockett
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN — Michael Daley, sophomore, Athens; Brock Eggleston, senior, Fairfield; Ty Salmon, junior, Crockett
PUNTER — Josh Coleman, senior, Athens
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYERS — Michael House, senior, Brownsboro; Carlton Shartle, senior, Crockett
HONORABLE MENTION (ATHENS) — senior quarterback Jack Barkley; senior offensive guard A.T. Cumby
