Piedmont's Jack Hayes is a finalist to repeat as Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 3A back of the year, the ASWA announced today.
Anniston offensive lineman Ryqueze McElderry, an Alabama signee, is a finalist for 4A lineman of the year, and B.B. Comer athlete Kamore Harris is a finalist for 2A back of the year.
The ASWA announced finalists for back and lineman of the year in all seven Alabama Sports Writers Association classifications and AISA.
Other finalists with local connections include two former Oxford players. Thompson defensive back Anquon Fegans is a finalist for 7A back of the year, and Auburn offensive lineman Bradyn Joiner, an Auburn signee, is a finalist for 7A lineman of the year.
Hueytown athlete Earl Woods, a Jacksonville State signee, is a finalist for 6A back of the year.
That's 4,859 total yards and 60 total touchdowns to finish off an historic career that saw him break AHSAA career records of 11,024 passing yards, 15,023 total yards, 159 touchdown passes and 223 total passing and rushing touchdowns. He quarterbacked Piedmont to the Class 3A title game for the third time in his four years as the Bulldogs' starting quarterback and was twice Super 7 MVP.
McElderry, already enrolled at Alabama, finished 2022 with 97 percent blocking grade and 65 pancake blocks. He helped pave the way for Anniston's first unbeaten regular season since 2001, a Region 4 title and run to the 4A quarterfinals, where the Bulldogs lost to eventual state champion Andalusia 35-28.
Harris, a running back and linebacker, powered B.B. Comer to its second Super 7 appearance. He rushed for 1,308 yards and 15 touchdowns and amassed 72 tackles with 11 tackles for loss through the Nov. 21 nominating deadline, which included games through the state quarterfinals. He also missed three games with injury and didn't play in the second halves of three games because of three games.
Fegans had nine interceptions with three interception returns for touchdowns through the quarterfinals. He helped Thompson win another 7A title.
Joiner graded 93 percent with 84 pancake blocks through the quarterfinals and helped Auburn High reached the 7A title game.
Woods rushed for 1,527 yards and 22 touchdowns and passed for 1,824 yards and 24 touchdowns. Hueytown reached the second round of the Class 6A playoffs.
DB Anquon Fegans, Thompson
QB Peyton Floyd, Hewitt-Trussville
DL Hunter Osborne, Hewitt-Trussville
RB Cole Gamble, Mountain Brook
WR Ryan Williams, Saraland
DL Kelby Collins, Gardendale
OL Wilkin Formby, Northridge
DL Jaquavious Russaw, Carver-Montgomery
RB Ashton Ashford, Ramsay
RB Cole Blaylock, UMS-Wright
DL Zion Grady, Charles Henderson
DL Kavion Henderson, Leeds
DL Yhonzae Pierre, Eufaula
RB Fluff Bothwell, Oneonta
ATH Jacob Cornejo, Cherokee Co.
QB Andrew Hunter, Randolph
LB Jashawn Cooper, Montgomery Academy
DL Tae Diamond, Cherokee Co.
OL Ryqueze McElderry, Anniston
DB Damian Thompson, Mars Hill Bible
DL Sterling Dixon, Mobile Christian
OL Koby Keenum, Mars Hill Bible
DL Trent Thomas, Cottage Hill
ATH Kamore Harris, B.B. Comer
QB Ty'Jarian Williams, Aliceville
DL Keldric Faulk, Highland Home
OL Jamichael Pugh, Clarke Co.
ATH Daylon Edmunds, Millry
QB Brayden Huebner, Leroy
LB Korbit Sommerville, Pickens Co.
RB George Meyers, Lee-Scott
RB Cecil Perry, Patrician
WR Trace Strickland, Clarke Prep
OL Jack Gibson, Patrician
OL Jake Owens, Chambers Academy
OL Walker Whitehead, Jackson Academy
