2019 HHJ All-County Football Team

2019 HHJ ALL-County Team

Similar to last season there are two county representatives playing ball in the third week of the GHSA state playoffs. Warner Robins is back again and instead of Northside it’s Houston County playing for a spot in the 6A semifinals. 

In a season that had five of the six football programs within county lines make the playoffs this season there were some amazing plays and phenomenal players that made it possible. Like he has done the past four seasons the Houston Home Journal sports editor, and he alone, has selected the paper’s All-County football team without any assistance from coaches, other media or fans. Especially not from fans. After watching all six teams play multiple times this season I am confident in the selections below. You, the reader, do not have to be and that’s the beauty of selecting this team every season. It’s never a simple process and shouldn’t be. Especially in a county as football talent-rich as Houston County.

All inquiries and comments should be directed to Donnell Suggs.

Thank you,

D. Suggs

HHJ Sports Editor

2019 HHJ All-County Team

OFFENSE:

Offensive Player of the Year:

Isaia Harris, senior, receiver, Houston County

You can argue that his 62 receptions and 11 touchdowns are enough to warrant this recognition but it would be hard to defend Harris’ big play the last three weeks of the season starting against Northside, at Evans in the first round of the playoffs (5 receptions for 195 yards and 3 touchdowns) and last week in a second round playoff victory at South Paulding Harris caught seven passes for 112 yards and three touchdowns. If were keeping count that’s 12 receptions for 307 yards and 6 touchdowns during this postseason. 

Harris has played big all season and in big games, like the victories over at Perry, over Peach County and in a must-win game against Northside, he’s been even bigger. 

Quarterbacks (2):

Max Rigby, senior, Houston County

With over 2,4000 yards passing and 20 touchdowns Rigby has come a long way from that sophomore starting quarterback looking to make a name for himself on the football field. These days when one thinks Rigby he/she might think as much about the quarterback that has helped the Bears return to state playoff prominence than the entertainment park.  

Jalen Addie, junior, Warner Robins

Addie, in his first year as a starter had more to lose than any other starting signal-caller in the county. The Demons won consecutive region 1-5A titles and made it to the state championship two years in a row prior to this season. All the Demons have done with Addie under center is win a third consecutive region title and have the Demons back on the road to the AAAAA title game.

Running backs (3):

Jahlen Rutherford, junior, Warner Robins

Makeil Kendrick, junior, Perry

Corey Chaisson, junior, Houston County

The junior running back class may be the most talented in this county’s history. Warner Robins junior Jahlen Rutherford is the best of that class after having a consecutive 1,000 yard season as the featured back on the best team in the county. He is being recruited by some of the top programs in the country and he still has another season to display his abilities.

Chaisson (574 yards rushing) and Kendrick took star turns this season after successful but unheralded sophomore seasons. Both will be prime targets for mid-major programs going into next season. 

Receivers (4):

Isaia Harris, senior, Houston County

Marcayl Jones, senior, Warner Robins

Ezeqiel Marion, senior, Perry

Leesheon Jarrett, senior, Houston County

Harris is the bunch, a phenomenal possession receiver that will be able to immediately play at the collegiate level because of his crisp route running and stellar hands.

Jones. committed to Memphis, set the state single-season record for receiving yards as a junior and was regularly double-teamed this season because of it. Despite this, Jones has not allowed that to keep him from improving as a blocker and teammate.

Marion and Jarrett had career years this year for teams that qualified for the playoffs. Jarrett, 6-4 with sprinter’s speed, is currently receiving offers from mid-major programs. For the season he has 37 receptions for over 400 yards with three touchdowns.

Tight ends (2):

Aaron Brannen, senior, Northside

Michael Fitzpatrick, senior, Westfield

Offensive line: 

Veterans (Jack Rowland, Malachi Patterson, Andrew Brown, Bryce Lewis, Jackson Smith and Reed Wallace)

The Warhawks came into every game this season with running at the top of the agenda and every team they played this year knew it. Despite that only a few did something about it as Veterans not only advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the first time in three seasons but won 9 games this season, finishing second in Region 1-5A in  the process. The key to their success was their offensive line. 

DEFENSE:

Defensive Player of the Year:

Ahmad Walker, junior, linebacker, Warner Robins

Not long after scoring two touchdowns during the Demons second round playoff victory over Rome Walker took a visit to Wisconsin to hang out with the Badgers coaches and players. A top prospect at linebacker, Walker could play the next season at running back and still be a U.S. Army All-American invitee. There’s a good chance he will be the county’s next to be invited to that prestigious all-star game. 

Linebackers (4):

Ahmad Walker, junior, Warner Robins

Antuan Adams, senior, Houston County

Wesley Steiner, Houston County, senior, Houston County

Jaren McWilliams, senior, Warner Robins

Walker is this year’s Defensive POY but McWilliams has been equally as important to the Demons defense. Steiner, headed to Auburn, and Adams were stalwarts for a Bears defense that has been playing at a high level this postseason 

Defensive backs/safeties (4):

Simoeon Askew, sophomore, Houston County

Kamron Smith, junior, Veterans

Cam Stewart, junior, Houston County

CJ Demicco, senior, Perry

Askew made play after play this season en route to helping Houston County make it back to the playoffs after a three-year absence. Smith is a lockdown corner, arguably the best n the county, and will immediately play at the next level when his time comes. Stewart and Demicco, time after time this season, found their way to the ball. Demicco used his senior season to prove that he can contribute to a college football program if given the opportunity.

Defensive Line (4):

Jalon Shine, senior, Veterans

Hyson Holiday, senior, Veterans

Manny Thompson, senior, Warner Robins

Nathan Trevino, senior Northside

Holiday and Shine have caused havoc throughout Region 1-5A for the past two seasons and are arguably the best d-line duo in middle Georgia. Thompson has come on to become a better-than-avergae pass-rusher and continues to show signs of growth during the playoffs. Trevino has started on the Eagles line for years and has improved every season. His experience will be missed next season.

Athletes (2):

Daequan Wright, sophomore, Perry

Kedrek Smith, junior, Veterans

Wright took snaps at quarterback, receiver and running back this season. He is also one of the keys to the basketball team. Wright will most likely play college football in a few years but for now he is the best dual-sport athlete in the county. 

Smith may be listed at quarterback on the Veterans depth chart but he also made plays with his feet and as a safety this season. More of a defensive back than quarterback on the next level, Smith will carry on the family tradition of playing football on Saturdays.

Kicker/Punters (2):

Daniel Gibbs, junior, Veterans

Adam Lemond, junior, Northside

Co-Coach of the Year:

Ryan Crawford, Houston County

Bruce Lane, Westfield

Crawford was awarded the Region 1-6A Athletic Director of the Year this year and as of  the last four weeks of the season he earned the HHJ Coach of the Year as well. The Bears have played three consecutive must-win games and when the chips are down Crawford has continued to keep his team together. 

Lane, in his first season at Westfield, got the Hornets back to the playoffs. Nuff said.

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