Three area football players were recently named to the Alabama Sports Writers Association all-state football team.
T.R. Miller’s Anthony Herbert (senior) and Caleb McAnally (junior) made the team as first team members in class 3A while W.S. Neal’s Ashton Elliott (junior) made the team in class 4A as honorable mention.
Herbert made the team as running back and McAnally as offensive line while Elliott made it as wide receiver.
Herbert totaled 1,622 total yards this season on 213 carries for T.R. Miller, who went 8-4 and to the second round of the state playoffs. Herbert had an average of 7.6 yards per carry and had 26 touchdowns. Herbert had 340 yards in one game this season against Montgomery Catholic and scored four touchdowns.
“Well first off it feels so great to make all state as running back,” Herbert said. “It caught me by surprise to be honest. It is a honor to achieve this. I always wanted to be in this position and I’m here now. Caleb (McAnally) won it for offensive lineman and he deserved it. He opened holes like none other. He is a man when it comes to running over people and clearing holes. It was a honor to run behind him this season and I will miss every bit of it.”
Herbert’s college plans are to go off and play football somewhere.
“If I don’t get any scholarships I will walk on and play football somewhere,” Herbert said.
Like Herbert said, McAnally made the team as offensive line for the Tigers and opened many holes for Herbert and other Tiger backs.
“First of all, it is an honor and a privilege to be named with such an elite group of football players,” McAnally said. “I am so thankful that God has allowed me to be a part of the T.R. Miller program. He has blessed me with my passion for sports and I hope that passion will continue after high school graduation. I plan to attend college and hopefully play for an SEC team.”
McAnally said the fact that he shares this honor with another teammate speaks highly of the Tiger team as a whole and the outstanding coaching and leadership given by Tiger head coach (Jamie) Riggs.
“We all have a job to do when we get on the field,” McAnally said. “I knew all I had to do was make the blocks and Ant (Herbert) would always hit the holes, without fear. That is the trust we have in each other as a team, which is more like a family. We had an awesome season last year. I am really excited to see what my future holds next year as a senior member of the T.R. Miller Tigers.”
Elliott had 608 yards receiving for W.S. Neal this season with 28 catches and four touchdowns for a 21.7 average. W.S. Neal had seven total receiving catches for touchdowns the entire season and 1,057 yards.
“It’s been fun I mean, everybody wants to win but I think having fun is more important no matter the record,” Elliott said. “When I got honorable mention I was surprised, because I never thought I would get noticed in football.”
Elliott will return for his senior season next year under a new Eagle head coach.
“Having a new coach is going to be a change, but I’m always open to new things,” Elliott said. “It’s going to be my senior year with a new coach. It’s going to be rough to get used to the changes, but everything is going to work out. I think it’s a lot of people around here that’s excited about the new coach. We’ll see what happens.”
The final honor to be announced by the ASWA is the 29th Mr. Football Award, to be held in Birmingham on Jan. 12 at the ASWA’s Player of the Year Awards Luncheon Presented by Hibbett Sports.

Class 4A – Offense
QB – Kyle Caldwell, Dadeville, Sr., 5-8, 150
RB – Chris Dukes, UMS-Wright, Sr., 5-7, 180
RB – Troymaine Pope, Anniston, Jr., 5-8, 185
RB – Javae Swindle, Jemison, Jr., 5-5, 150
WR – Cameron Poe-Mitchell, Fayette County, Jr., 6-1, 170
WR – Alvin Scott, Oneonta, So., 6-1, 170
WR – Montel Hale, North Jackson, Sr., 5-9, 171
OL – Storm Cabiness, Jackson, Sr., 6-3, 290
OL – John Marx, Thomasville, Sr., 6-3, 290
OL – Marvell Bell, Bibb County, Sr., 6-3, 305
OL – Randy Foster, Deshler, Sr., 6-4, 280
OL – Dustin White, North Jackson, Sr., 5-11, 291
PK – Harrison Lewis, Thomasville, Sr., 5-5, 135
ATH – Alex Taylor, West Limestone, Jr., 6-3, 190

Defense
DB – Je’mel Morris, Deshler, Sr., 5-11, 170
DB – Josh Spence, Beauregard, Jr., 5-10, 165
DB – Chris Davis, Thomasville, Sr., 5-9, 155
DB – Khaleem Jones, North Jackson, Sr., 5-11, 182
LB – James Jones, Thomasville, Sr., 5-10, 210
LB – Cory Hampton, Fairview, Sr. 5-10, 170
LB – J.R. White, Deshler, Sr., 6-0, 220
LB – Quinton Royal, Anniston, Sr., 5-9, 180
DL – Tyler Nero, Escambia County, Jr., 6-2, 275
DL – Diaheem Watkins, Bibb County, Sr., 6-4, 245
DL – Rod Crayton, Dadeville, So., 6-0, 280
DL – Cody Rodgers, Jackson, Sr., 6-0, 265
P – Jordan Shipp, Corner, Sr., 6-2, 180
ATH – Tyler Hayes, Thomasville, Jr., 6-3, 215
Back of the Year – Kyle Caldwell, Dadeville
Lineman of the Year – Diaheem Watkins, Bibb County
Coach of the Year – Mike Battles, Bibb County
Honorable Mention
Quarterback – Evan Sims, Fayette County, Sr.; Zac Barnard, North Jackson, Sr.
Running back – C.J. Cutts, Bibb County, Sr.; Jay Gardiner, Deshler, Sr.; Jim Furlow, Oak Grove, Jr.; Michael Thornton, Thomasville, Sr.; Deuntae Johnson, North Jackson, Sr.
Wide receiver – Ashton Elliott, W.S. Neal, Jr.; John Williamson, Crossville, Sr.; Eddie Hubbard, Jemison, Jr.; Christian Collis, Beauregard, Sr.
Offensive line – Taylor Warner, Jacksonville, Sr.; Hunter Cowart, Jemison, Sr.
Place-kicker – Cesar Diaz, North Jackson, So.; Cesar Rosales, Crossville, Sr.; Troy Elliott, Corner, So.
Defensive back – Dalton Wilson, Central-Florence, Sr.; Kenny Akin, Cherokee County, Sr.
Linebacker – Jarred Causey, Corner, Sr.; Spencer Gore, Guntersville, Sr.; Lawrence James, Jackson, Sr.; Crawford Steinberg, St. James, Sr.; Andrell Smith, Bibb County, Sr.; Desmond Wills, Lincoln, Sr.
Defensive line – Hudson Grimes, Cherokee County, Sr.; Rashad Blackwell, Dadeville, Jr.; Devaunte Sigler, B.C. Rain, Sr.; Nick Allen, Straughn, Sr.
Punter – Jordan Boston, Holtville, Sr.
Athlete – Brandon Wells, Calera, Sr.; Taylor Morton, Bibb County, Sr.; Johnny Chacon, Crossville, Sr.

Class 3A – Offense
QB – Mitch Stults, Hamilton, So., 5-9, 165
RB – Dedrick Forsythe, Leeds, Sr., 6-0, 185
RB – Cody Staten, Cordova, Jr., 5-9, 185
RB – Anthony Herbert, T.R. Miller, Sr., 5-11, 170
WR – Mark White, Trinity, Jr., 5-8, 155
WR – Noah Willis, Piedmont, Sr., 6-2, 185
TE – David Reeves, Greensboro, Sr., 6-6, 245
OL – Tommy Johnson, Cordova, Sr., 5-11, 280
OL – Chris Mitchell, Washington County, Sr., 6-2, 265
OL – Caleb McAnally, T.R. Miller, Jr., 6-0, 275
OL – Deion Nickson, Pike County, Sr., 6-2, 230
OL – Robert Freeman, Luverne, Sr., 6-4, 315
PK – Andy Pappanastos, Trinity, Jr., 5-9, 165
ATH – Greg Howard, Gordo, Sr., 6-0, 230
Defense
DB – Kameron Jackson, Madison Academy, Sr., 6-0, 180
DB – Jamaal Johnson, Piedmont, Sr., 6-2, 195
DB – Jonathan Rose, Leeds, Sr., 6-2, 185
DB – Ray Ray Kimbril, Glencoe, Sr., 6-2, 195
LB – Jamie Major, Piedmont, So., 6-1, 205
LB – Charles Miller, Leeds, Sr., 5-9, 180
LB – Maleki Harris, Cordova, Sr., 5-11, 220
LB – Weston Epperson, Trinity, Sr., 5-10, 185
DL – Javiere Mitchell, Leeds, Jr., 6-3, 205
DL – Matt Humphrey, Glencoe, Sr., 5-11, 215
DL – Mickey Jackson, Piedmont, Sr., 6-1, 308
DL – Ronnie Sheppard, Leeds, Sr., 6-2, 185
P – J.D. Strawbridge, Trinity, Jr., 5-11, 160
ATH – Demario Lanier, Gordo, Jr., 6-2, 180
Back of the Year: Jonathan Rose, Leeds
Lineman of the Year: David Reeves, Greensboro
Coach of the Year: Rodney Stidham, Hamilton

Honorable Mention
Quarterback – Joe Dobson, Madison Academy, Sr.; Jerrelle Bailey, Pike County, Sr.; Caleb Hill, Danville, Jr.
Running back – Breyon DeBerry, Handley, Jr.; Delrickus Rhoden, Walter Wellborn, Sr.; Jacob Pennington, Hokes Bluff, Jr.; Brandon Burks, Daleville, Jr.; Andre Kincey, Abbeville, Sr.; Richard Davis, Opp, Sr.; Ryan McBrayer, Plainview, Jr.
Wide receiver – Derek Doss, Hamilton, Sr.; Kendrick Jackson, Pike County, Sr.; Geoffrey Stinebaugh, Bayside Academy, Jr.; Hunter Olive, Madison Academy, Jr.
Tight end – Chris Stone, Daleville, Sr.
Offensive line – Tanner Skelton, Gordo, Sr.; Warren Alexander, Piedmont, Sr.; Michael Sheridan, Geraldine, Sr.; Jake Knight, Slocomb, Jr.
Place-kicker – Keaton Glass, Leeds, Sr.
Defensive back – Jodeci Jones, Gordo, Sr.; Christopher Tinker, Glencoe, Sr.; Joe Beckham, Daleville, Sr.
Linebacker – Vic Gilbert, Lauderdale County, Jr.; Colton Shaw, Hokes Bluff, Jr.; Daniel Warren, Glencoe, Jr.; Bryan Buchanan, Plainview, Sr.; Tyler Marks, Winston County, Sr.; T.J. Kidd, Washington County, So.
Defensive line – Jon Bryant, Pisgah, Jr.; D.J. Warren, West Morgan, Jr.
Punter – Addison Santiago, Sylvania, Jr.; Cole Rickles, New Hope, Sr.
Athlete – Ladarius Rodgers, Leeds, Jr.; Austin Kerr, Rogers, So.; Jake Howton, Cordova, Sr.; Demetrius Warren, West Morgan, So.; Jacob Davis, Sylvania, Jr.