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Photo by Todd Lester.
Spain Park wide receiver Jonathan Bibbs (3) catches a pass during a game between Chelsea and Spain Park on Friday, October 13, at Jaguar Stadium in Hoover. Photo by Todd Lester
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Photo by Todd Lester.
Chelsea running back Emerson Russell (1) runs after a catch during a game between Chelsea and Spain Park on Friday, October 13, at Jaguar Stadium in Hoover. Photo by Todd Lester
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
Briarwood linebacker Jack Cornish (4) tackles Chilton County running back Donald Jackson (22) at Chilton County High School in Clanton on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. Briarwood defeated Chilton County 28-10. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
Briarwood wide receiver Grey Reebals (23) runs the ball downfield after recovering a fumble in a game at Helena High School on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023. The Lions fell to the Huskies 28-24. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
Briarwood running back/linebacker Luke Reynolds (8) carries the ball in a game at Helena High School on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023. The Lions fell to the Huskies 28-24. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Todd Lester.
Oak Mountain kicker James Whatley (16) during a game between Bob Jones and Oak Mountain on Friday, August 18, 2023, at Heardmont Park in Birmingham. Photo by Todd Lester
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Photo by James Nicholas.
Briarwood lineman Luke Schultz (71) opens a lane for quarterback Josh Thompson (7) to keep the ball during a game between Calera and Briarwood on Friday, October 13th, 2023, at Calera High School, Ricky M Cairns Memorial football Stadium in Calera. Photo by James Nicholas.
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Photo courtsey of Cari Dean.
Chelsea inside linebacker Anderson Brooks (9) moves to tackle Thompson running back Camron Wells (34) in a game at Warrior Stadium in Alabaster on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. Photo courtsey of Cari Dean.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
Briarwood defensive lineman Luke Dickinson (0) tackles Helena wide receiver Hunter Hale (7) in a game at Helena High School on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023. The Lions fell to the Huskies 28-24. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
Spain Park wide receiver Reggie Jackson (2) catches a pass as he runs toward the end zone to score for the Jags in a game against Calera at Ricky M Cairns Memorial Stadium at Calera High School on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Todd Lester.
Briarwood defensive lineman Garrett Witherington (90) battles Clay-Chalkville offensive lineman Jac'Qawn McRoy (72) at the line of scrimmage during a game between Clay-Chalkville and Briarwood on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, at Lions Pride Stadium in Birmingham. Photo by Todd Lester
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
Spain Park quarterback Brock Bradley (5) passes the ball in a game against Calera at Ricky M Cairns Memorial Stadium at Calera High School on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Barry Stephenson.
Oak Mountain linebacker Jacob Porco (3) brings down Hoover quarterback Andy Howard (14) during a game between Hoover High School and Oak Mountain High School on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023, at the Hoover Met in Hoover. Photo by Barry Stephenson.
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Photo by Todd Lester.
Spain Park defensive lineman Nik Alston (3d) sacks Briarwood quarterback Josh Thompson (7) during a game between Briarwood and Spain Park on Friday, September 1, 2023, at Jaguar Stadium in Hoover. Photo by Todd Lester
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Photo by James Nicholas.
Chelsea receiver Jaxon Shuttlesworth (17) with a reception and positive yardage in a game against Helena on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, at Helena High School, Husky Stadium in Helena. Photo by James Nicholas.
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Photo by David Leong.
Chelsea safety Owen Key (5) chases down Pelham running back Michael Grayson (1) during a game between the Chelsea High Hornets and the Pelham High Panthers on Sept. 29, 2023 at Bobby Hayes Stadium in Pelham, AL. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by Shawn Bowles.
Oak Mountain defensive back Jayden Aparicio (24) leading the tackle in a game at Heardmont Park on Friday, September 8, 2023. Photo by Shawn Bowles.
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Photo by Richard Force.
Oak Mountain defensive lineman Caleb Jaworski (97) looks for the ball carrier during a game between the Oak Mountain Eagles and the Hoover Bucs at The Hoover Met on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023 in Hoover. Photo by Richard Force.
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Photo by Richard Force.
Briarwood quarterback Josh Thompson (7) runs with the ball during a first-round playoff game between the Briarwood Lions and the Carver Wolverines at Cramton Bowl on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023 in Montgomery, Alabama. Photo by Richard Force.
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Photo by Shawn Bowles.
Oak Mountain running back Le'Kamren Meadows (6) tries to turn the corner vs Hewitt-Trussville defensive end Verdell Snider (23) in a game at Heardmont Park on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. Photo by Shawn Bowles.
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Photo by Todd Lester.
Oak Mountain running back Marty Myricks (1) fights off Spain Park linebacker EJ Kerley (47) during a game between Spain Park and Oak Mountain on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023, at Heardmont Park in Birmingham. Photo by Todd Lester
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Photo by Todd Lester.
Oak Mountain wide receiver Sawyer Smith (2) catches a long touchdown pass during a game between Spain Park and Oak Mountain on Friday, October 27, 2023, at Heardmont Park in Birmingham. Photo by Todd Lester
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Photo by Todd Lester.
Oak Mountain offensive lineman Luke Kelly (69) during a game between Bob Jones and Oak Mountain on Friday, August 18, 2023, at Heardmont Park in Birmingham. Photo by Todd Lester
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
Briarwood defensive back Ethan Carr (27) tackles Helena running back Jordan Washington (34) in a game at Helena High School on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023. The Lions fell to the Huskies 28-24. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by James Nicholas.
Chelsea linemen Logan Sanders (58) and Adam Brooks (51) move in on a Calera defender in a game Friday, Sept. 1, 2023, at Chelsea High School. Photo by James Nicholas.
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Photo by David Leong.
Chelsea wide receiver Nick Sulenski (13) runs the ball during a game between the Chelsea High Hornets and the Pelham High Panthers on Sept. 29, 2023 at Bobby Hayes Stadium in Pelham, AL. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by Todd Lester.
Spain Park running back Dakarai Shanks (20) runs the football during a game between Chelsea and Spain Park on Friday, October 13, at Jaguar Stadium in Hoover. Photo by Todd Lester
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
Spain Park running back Derick Shanks (6) carries the ball as Calera’s Ayden Slaten (32) moves in to block in a game against Calera at Ricky M Cairns Memorial Stadium at Calera High School on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Todd Lester.
Oak Mountain linebacker Colton Moore (8) during a game between Bob Jones and Oak Mountain on Friday, August 18, 2023, at Heardmont Park in Birmingham. Photo by Todd Lester
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Photo by Todd Lester.
Oak Mountain defensive back Drowdy Hackbarth (17) and Oak Mountain defensive back Robert Yoder (10) combine to tackle Thompson running back Michael Dujon (5) during a game between Thompson and Oak Mountain on Friday, October 13, 2023, at Heardmont Park in Birmingham. Photo by Todd Lester
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Photo by Todd Lester.
Oak Mountain defensive back Cole Kelly (33) during a game between Bob Jones and Oak Mountain on Friday, August 18, 2023, at Heardmont Park in Birmingham. Photo by Todd Lester
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Photo by Todd Lester.
Oak Mountain quarterback Will O'Dell (18) attempts a pass during a game between Oak Mountain and Briarwood on Friday, September 29, 2023, at Lions Pride Stadium in Birmingham. Photo by Todd Lester
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Photo by Michelle Lepianka Carter.
Chelsea linebacker Adam Cornwell (4) recovers a fumble by Tuscaloosa County quarterback Braeden Smith (3) in a game at Tuscaloosa County High School on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. Photo by Michelle Lepianka Carter
The 2023 high school football season featured plenty of expected greatness, but also more than a few surprises.
The annual Starnes Media All-South Metro team has familiar faces along with some new ones.
Clay-Chalkville quarterback Jaylen Mbakwe capped off an incredible season by leading the Cougars to a state championship and is one of this year’s Players of the Year.
Hewitt-Trussville quarterback Peyton Floyd shares this year’s Player of the Year honor with Mbakwe after leading the Huskies to the state semifinals and combining for 45 touchdowns in a standout senior season.
Mountain Brook running back Cole Gamble repeats as the Offensive Player of the Year, as he backed up his electric junior season with a senior campaign of 2,000 rushing yards and 30 total touchdowns.
Clay-Chalkville linebacker and Auburn commit DJ Barber is the Defensive Player of the Year, as he helped lead the Cougars to the state championship game and accumulated nearly 150 tackles on the year.
John Carroll head coach Will Mara is this year’s Coach of the Year. The Cavaliers made the playoffs for the first time since 2009 and reset many long streaks in an incredible campaign.
Players of the Year: Peyton Floyd, Hewitt-Trussville, and Jaylen Mbakwe, Clay-Chalkville
Offensive Player of the Year: Cole Gamble, Mountain Brook
Defensive Player of the Year: DJ Barber, Clay-Chalkville
Coach of the Year: Will Mara, John Carroll
1ST TEAM
Offense
QB: Peyton Floyd, Hewitt-Trussville; piled up 930 rushing yards and 2,613 passing yards with 45 combined touchdowns.
QB: John Paul Head, Vestavia Hills; another stellar season, going over 1,000 passing and rushing yards, with 38 touchdowns.
RB: Cole Gamble, Mountain Brook; unstoppable yet again, eclipsing 2,000 rushing yards with 29 touchdowns.
RB: Emerson Russell, Chelsea; rushed for 1,037 yards with 10 touchdowns in only seven games.
WR: Jonathan Bibbs, Spain Park; one of the top receivers in the area, going for 1,031 yards and 10 touchdowns.
WR: Jadon Loving, Hewitt-Trussville; the top target for the Huskies, catching 68 balls for 1,063 yards and 12 touchdowns.
WR: Mario Craver, Clay-Chalkville; finished a fantastic career with over 1,000 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns.
WR: Clark Sanderson, Mountain Brook; played 10 games before injury, nearly reaching 1,000 yards.
TE: Donovan Price, Hewitt-Trussville; a top receiving and blocking tight end in the area.
OL: Jac’Qawn McRoy, Clay-Chalkville; made a highlight reel catch against Thompson, but finished with over 42 knockdowns as well.
OL: Brady Phillips, Clay-Chalkville; graded out at 92% with 17 pancake blocks.
OL: Watts Alexander, Mountain Brook; allowed just one sack all season.
OL: Luke Schultz, Briarwood; finished a stellar career as a three-year starter.
OL: Jaxon Brooks, Homewood; the Patriots’ left tackle graded at 92% with 56 pancakes.
ATH: Jaylen Mbakwe, Clay-Chalkville; moved to quarterback and had a great year, with over 3,000 total yards.
ATH: Carson McFadden, John Carroll; led the Cavs to a great season, going over 1,300 passing and rushing yards, with 34 touchdowns.
K: Owen Simpson, Vestavia Hills; connected on 33-of-34 extra points and 10-of-11 field goals.
Defense
DL: Jordan Ross, Vestavia Hills; a game wrecker, finishing with 63 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and 11 sacks.
DL: Avion Pickett, Clay-Chalkville; lived in the backfield, piling up 22 tackles for loss and 10 sacks.
DL: Luke Dickinson, Briarwood; had 28 quarterback hurries as the top lineman on the team.
DL: Tyrell Averhart, Hewitt-Trussville; had 14 tackles for loss and eight quarterback hurries, despite playing just eight games.
LB: William Grier McDuffie, Mountain Brook; averaged over 10 tackles per game.
LB: DJ Barber, Clay-Chalkville; led the Cougars defense in every way on the path to the title game.
LB: Jack Cornish, Briarwood; a stellar 133 tackles on the year.
LB: Anderson Brooks, Chelsea; had over 100 tackles, eight TFLs and six pass breakups.
DB: JJ Moultrie, Hoover; picked off four passes and blocked four kicks.
DB: Riggs Dunn, Hewitt-Trussville; had 66 tackles and four interceptions, as well as being the returner.
DB: Grey Reebals, Briarwood; had 65 tackles and a pair of defensive touchdowns.
DB: Spence Hanna, Vestavia Hills; had 90 tackles from the secondary.
P: James Whatley, Oak Mountain; averaged over 40 yards per punt.
ATH: Bradley Shaw, Hoover; piled up 90 tackles and scored several touchdowns in a variety of ways.
ATH: Luke Reynolds, Briarwood; had a great season on both sides, rushing for over 500 yards and totaling 69 tackles.
ATH: Zach Archer, John Carroll; came on strong this year, totaling over 1,000 offensive yards and intercepting five passes.
2ND TEAM
Offense
QB: Will Myers, Homewood; only played nine games but put forth 22 total touchdowns.
QB: Brock Bradley, Spain Park; emerged as a sophomore, throwing for 22 touchdowns.
RB: Mitchell Nutter, John Carroll; rushed for 1,232 yards for the upstart Cavs.
RB: William Tonsmeire, Vestavia Hills; rushed for 842 yards.
WR: Keown Richardson, Vestavia Hills; caught 51 passes for 760 yards and five scores.
WR: Jacob Serena, Hewitt-Trussville; a solid option, finishing with 549 yards and six touchdowns.
WR: Kylen Newell, Homewood; caught 43 passes for 567 yards.
WR: Reggie Jackson, Spain Park; scored six touchdowns through the air.
TE: Ryan Redmond, John Carroll; a big play target, finishing with 409 yards and four scores.
OL: JD Livingston, Vestavia Hills; graded at 86% with 40 pancakes.
OL: Kade Martin, Hewitt-Trussville; the Huskies offense took off once he returned from injury.
OL: William Courtenay, Mountain Brook; before injury, he allowed no sacks in his third year starting.
OL: Connor Langston, Spain Park; a strong lineman for the Jags.
OL: Braden Valdez, Hewitt-Trussville; a physical, consistent blocker for the Huskies.
ATH: Jonah Winston, Hoover; played all over the field on offense, scoring 11 total touchdowns.
ATH: Jaxon Shuttlesworth, Chelsea; was an imposing target who caught 45 passes.
K: Charles Farr, John Carroll; hit 35-of-37 extra points and all seven field goal attempts.
Defense
DL: Nik Alston, Spain Park; had seven tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.
DL: CJ Wyatt, John Carroll; led the Cavs defense, piling up 11 TFLs and 3.5 sacks.
DL: Rickey Whitworth, Mountain Brook; had 42 tackles, including 15 TFLs on the year.
DL: Garrett Witherington, Briarwood; racked up seven sacks and blocked two kicks.
LB: Carlos Ivy, Clay-Chalkville; a disruptive force, going well over 100 tackles on the year.
LB: Jacob Watson, Vestavia Hills; had 84 tackles and 16 TFLs on the year.
LB: Jacob Porco, Oak Mountain; one of the top players for the Eagles, picking up 72 tackles.
LB: Talton Thomas, Homewood; had another stellar season for the Patriots, finishing with 88 tackles and 10 TFLs.
DB: Owen Key, Chelsea; had eight pass breakups and 79 tackles.
DB: Tucker Crawford, Mountain Brook; intercepted a pair of passes.
DB: Clyde Beavers, Mountain Brook; racked up 64 tackles and five interceptions.
DB: Michael Igbinoghene, Hewitt-Trussville; led the Huskies with five picks.
P: RC Gartman, Homewood; averaged 32.5 yards per punt.
ATH: Drew Ollis, Hewitt-Trussville; played on the defensive line and punted for the Huskies.
ATH: Max Plaia, John Carroll; played both ways and accumulated 61 tackles.
HONORABLE MENTION
QB: Will O’Dell, Oak Mountain; Josh Thompson, Briarwood.
RB: Derick Shanks, Spain Park; Dakarai Shanks, Spain Park; Marty Myricks, Oak Mountain; Le’Kamren Meadows, Oak Mountain.
WR: Sawyer Smith, Oak Mountain; Nick Sulenski, Chelsea; Sawyer Click, Briarwood.
OL: Logan Sanders, Chelsea; Luke Kelly, Oak Mountain; Jack Chandler, John Carroll; Carter Fountain, Briarwood; Landon Page, Vestavia Hills.
DL: Ayden Moore, Hewitt-Trussville; Caleb Jaworski, Oak Mountain.
LB: Nakarius Allen, Clay-Chalkville; Rod Ivy, Clay-Chalkville; Drew Widener, Mountain Brook; Parker Floyd, Hewitt-Trussville; Adam Cornwell, Chelsea; Colton Moore, Oak Mountain; Trust Darnell, Homewood; Luke Eldridge, Homewood.
DB: Maleik Smiley, Homewood; John Griffin, Homewood; Cole Kelly, Oak Mountain; Jayden Aparicio-Bailey, Oak Mountain; Drowdy Hackbarth, Oak Mountain; Ethan Carr, Briarwood.
Starnes Media's publications cover several communities throughout the Birmingham metro area. Schools included for consideration on this team were Briarwood, Chelsea, Oak Mountain, Hoover, Spain Park, Homewood, John Carroll, Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills, Hewitt-Trussville and Clay-Chalkville. The team was selected by Starnes Media’s sports department, in collaboration with the coaches.
