28 local players make all-county team, all local schools represented
Published 6:22 pm Thursday, November 26, 2015
There are talented football players at every school in Dallas County and nothing reflects that more than the Times-Journal’s 2015 all-county football team.
The team features at least two players from every single school in the county.
The offense is headlined by Morgan Academy quarterback Harrison Adams, who threw for 17 touchdowns and 8 interceptions this year while leading the Senators to the cusp of making the Alabama Independent School Association playoffs.
He’s joined in the backfield by two guys who helped lead their teams to the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s postseason — Keith’s Domonique Jones and Dallas County’s Calvin Starks.
Jones had an incredible season, as he ran for 1,711 yards, 16 touchdowns and averaged 9.29 yards per carry.
Starks finished the year with 1,321 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Hornets, who finished at 6-5.
At receiver are two explosive playmakers in Southside’s DeQuan Johnson and Morgan Academy’s Jackson Henderson. Through the air, Johnson had incredible 1,210 yards receiving and 23 touchdowns this year.
He also ran for three more scores.
Henderson was also a dual threat with 818 yards receiving and seven touchdowns. He also ran for seven rushing scores on 65 carries. Another pass catcher, Dallas County tight end Paul Daniels, didn’t get a lot of passes thrown his way, but he graded out as an effective blocker and he caught a touchdown pass.
The offensive line is anchored by Keith seniors Morris Colllins and Joshua Thomas, as well as Morgan Academy’s John Tyler Fisher and Ellwood Christian’s Larry McGarry. Meadowview Christian’s Mason Kendrick rounds out the offensive line, although he played a little bit of everywhere. He was one of the Trojans’ most sound blockers all season.
The athlete on the offensive side of the ball is Southside’s Khamari Gibbs, who had a tremendous senior season. Gibbs had 32 touchdowns passing and another four rushing this year for the Panthers.
He’s also spent some time at receiver during his career, showing off his athletic ability.
On the defensive side of the ball, the county’s best pass rushers and run stoppers are highlighted. On the defensive line are Selma’s DeVaughan Blackmon, who had 12 sacks to lead the Saints, and his teammate Jermaine Sanders also helped anchor a stout defensive front. They are joined by Morgan Academy’s Jack Stewart, who led the Senators with 12 sacks this year.
The foursome at linebacker on the team highlight just how strong linebacker play around the county was this year. Times-Journal Player of the Year Aderick Moore, who made 100 tackles, headlines the group, which also features Morgan’s JR Wood, Dallas County’s Delando Atchison and Selma’s Quintez Blevins. Wood finished the season with 101 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions. Atchison led the county with 113 tackles, including nine for loss.
Blevins led Selma in tackles with 121 total and also had 10 sacks.
In the secondary are Dallas County’s Quincy Parker, Selma’s Marquel Moorer, Ellwood Christian’s Anthony Woods and Morgan Academy’s Woodham Kemmer.
Parker had eight interceptions this year as part of an incredible season and Moorer had five interceptions. Kemmer finished the year with 50 tackles at the back end of the Senators’ defense.
The athlete on the defensive side of the ball is Meadowview Christian’s Jevar McGuire, who was named to the Alabama Christian Athletic Association’s all-state team at defensive tackle. However, it was clear McGuire could play anywhere, including running back. He led the Trojans in rushing yards this year. At punt returner is Selma’s Quentavious Davis, who finished the year with three touchdowns.
Dallas County’s Anthony Oliver is the team’s kick returner. As the year progressed, less teams seemed to kick the ball Oliver’s direction.
The team’s kicker is Meadowview Christian’s Sam Dabit, who also was named to the ACAA’s all-state team following a tremendous defensive season. The team’s punter is Selma’s Herschell Brown.
The Times-Journal’s coach of the year is Dallas County head coach Marty Smith.