Staff Reports
MONTGOMERY – Piedmont junior quarterback Jack Hayes and senior linebacker Landon Smart are among the Class 3A Back and Lineman of the year finalists respectively, as announced by the Alabama Sports Writers Association early Sunday morning.
Hayes completed 160-of-258 pass attempts for 2,673 yards and 38 touchdowns. He also ran for 1,027 yards and 21 touchdowns on 210 carries for the state champion Bulldogs (13-2) last season.
Smart led the Bulldog defense in tackles (152) and was second in tackles for loss (9). He also finished the season with five sacks.
The other two Class 3A Back finalists joining Hayes are Catholic-Montgomery junior running back Jeremiah Cobb and Montgomery Academy junior running back Jashawn Cooper.
Cobb compiled 2,086 yards and 30 touchdowns on 176 attempts for the Knights (13-1). Cooper accumulated 1,354 yards and 20 touchdowns on 193 carries for the state runner-up Eagles (11-4).
Joining Smart as Class 3A Lineman finalists are Catholic-Montgomery senior linebacker TJ Dudley and Oakman senior linebacker AJ Odom.
Dudley delivered 122 tackles, including 27 for loss with a pair of sacks and six interceptions. Odom registered 111 stops, including 16 for loss with nine sacks for the Wildcats (9-3).
The award winners, along with Mr. Football, will be named Jan. 13 during a luncheon banquet at the Montgomery Renaissance.
The complete back and lineman of the year finalists are listed below.
CLASS 7A
Back of the year
Conner Harrell, Thompson
Ryan Peppins, Thompson
Evan Smith, Oak Mountain
Lineman of the year
Jeremiah Alexander, Thompson
Drew Bobo, Auburn
Justice Finkley, Hewitt-Trussville
CLASS 6A
Back of the year
Khalib Johnson, Clay-Chalkville
Braylon McReynolds, McGill-Toolen
Earl Woods, Hueytown
Lineman of the year
Trevon McAlpine, Saraland
John McMillan, Mountain Brook
Jaquavious Russaw, Carver-Montgomery
CLASS 5A
Back of the year
Quinshon Judkins, Pike Road
DeMarcus Lacey, Pleasant Grove
Parker Martin, Fairview
Lineman of the year
Anez Cooper, Pleasant Grove
Robert Courtney, UMS-Wright
Khurtiss Perry, Pike Road
CLASS 4A
Back of the year
Antonio Kite, Anniston
Will Stokes, Madison Academy
Walter Taylor III, Jackson
Lineman of the year
Deuce Spurlock, Madison Academy
Michael Towner, Vigor
Robert Woodyard, Williamson
CLASS 3A
Back of the year
Jeremiah Cobb, Catholic-Montgomery
Jashawn Cooper, Montgomery Academy
Jack Hayes, Piedmont
Lineman of the year
TJ Dudley, Catholic-Montgomery
AJ Odom, Oakman
Landon Smart, Piedmont
CLASS 2A
Back of the year
Emmanuel Henderson, Geneva Co.
Jammarian Johnson, Clarke Co.
Logan Washburn, Cleveland
Lineman of the year
Keldric Faulk, Highland Home
Koby Keenum, Mars Hill Bible
Caden Story, Lanett
CLASS 1A
Back of the year
Javion Belle, Pickens Co.
Brayden Kyle, Decatur Heritage
Jaland Lewis-Horton, Sweet Water
Lineman of the year
Kedrick Brown, Brantley
Michael Alan Cole, Sweet Water
Tyler Ward, Sweet Water
AISA
Back of the year
AJ Harris, Glenwood
Karl Ligon, Autauga Academy
Landon Sims, Escambia Academy
Lineman of the year
Kross Colley, Chambers Academy
Trevor Hill, Bessemer Academy
Keith Williams, Pike Liberal Arts