Here are this year’s Class 2-A All-State selections. Player of the Year voting is down below (only one vote per hour), there are 3 players nominated and voting ends on Tuesday night at 10 pm. View more All-State teams by clicking HERE. Share your thoughts, leave a comment at the bottom of the page!
[polldaddy poll=10192409]
OFFENSE
QB – Gunner Stockton, Rabun Co.
RB – Aaron Beasley, Heard Co.
RB – AJ Brown, Harlem
RB – Tank Bigsby, Callaway
WR – Matrius Fleming, Elbert Co.
WR – Braxton Hicks, Rabun Co.
WR – Juke Boozer, Rockmart
WR – RJ Phillips Swainsboro
OL – Shawn Lovell, Rabun Co.
OL – Jaiden Cameron, Heard Co.
OL – Keshawn Cameron, Callaway
OL – Keiondre Jones, Callaway
OL – Jaden Bell, Metter
OL – Deacon Allen, Rockmart
ATH – Dyquan Bloodsaw, Washington Co.
K – Peyton Bush, Dodge Co.
DEFENSE
DL – Zaylin Wood, Heard Co.
DL – Donte Williams, Rockmart
DL – Ant Daniels, Brooks Co.
DL – Elijah Mayes, Hephzibah
DL – Jadin Johnson Dodge Co.
LB – Andrew Leak, Heard Co.
LB – Kade Berry, Bremen
LB – Nyshun Bell, Vidalia
LB – Gavin Hughes, Coosa
LB – Preston Daniels, Washington Co.
DB – Tyler Strickland, Dublin
DB – Malik Fleming, Hapeville Charter
DB – Quincy Sheppard, Heard Co.
DB – Karey Lee, Thomasville
DB – Austin Jones, Rabun Co.
ATH – Jaden Jenkins, Jefferson Co.
P – Kevin Jones, Harlem
It took a game or two, but Gunner Stockton quickly adjusted to life as the Rabun County QB, and for the first time since doing All-State teams (2016 – not a long history) we have a freshman making the list. Stockton earned this honor, passing for 2917 yards, which led all QB’s in 2-A. His 65% completion was the highest of any quarterback with over 150 attempts, while he also threw for an efficient 34 touchdowns and just 6 interceptions. On top of all of that, Stockton rushed the football for 709 yards, and totaled 51 touchdowns in 2018.
Tank Bigsby from Callaway ended up leading all of Class 2-A with 2221 rushing yards on the year and 22 touchdowns total. He was clutch down the finish, rushing for 700 yards in the playoffs, including a huge win against top ranked Hapeville. Bigsby one of the top athletes in the class of 2020. AJ Brown was right on his heels with the rushing lead. He burned up the turf for 2170 yards, and his 197 yards per game led everyone in Class 2-A. Brown lacks traditional size, but makes up for it with incredible determination and excellent acceleration when in the open field. Aaron Beasley out of Heard Co. is the most important player on the state championship winning squad. His 1961 yards rushing was near the tops in Class 2-A. The ultimate two-way player, Beasley rushed for a classification leading 262 carries, while also totaling 63 tackles and 4 INT’s on defense.
Elbert County’s top offensive weapon goes to Metrius Fleming, whose 1180 yards receiving led Class 2-A. He accounted for over 60% of the receiving yards on his team and hauled in 66 receptions. The speed-merchant is great on screen passes out to the flat where he can use his excellent speed to get up field in a hurry. Braxton Hicks from Rabun County continues to showout as one of the more talented pass-catchers in 2-A with 1042 yards receiving (2nd in 2-A). He hauled in 65 receptions, and was tied for the lead with 14 touchdowns in 2018. Juke Boozer played in a very efficient Rockmart offense, where they spread the ball to each player, but still, the 2020 recruit managed 804 yards receiving, 25 yards per reception and 11 touchdowns. He came up big in the state title game making huge high-pointed grabs and ultimately had over 100 yards receiving. RJ Phillips tied for the lead in Class 2-A with 14 touchdowns and was at the tops with 787 yards receiving on the year. He average 19 yard per reception at Swainsboro, who took home the region championship this year.
Rabun County center Shawn Lovell is a tough customer in the trenches. The senior has awesome fundamentals, and very strong hands at the point of attack. Heard County senior offensive linemen Jaiden Cameron lived up to his preseason honors. He was the leading linemen for the state champions and finished the year with 45 pancakes. Keshawn Cameron from Callaway has been a versatile two-year starter and helped pave the way for a top rushing attack in 2-A. He graded out at 78%, which was the highest on his team. Keiondre Jones earned All-State for the 3rd year in a row. The Callaway senior who is committed to Auburn finished the year with a dominating 62 pancakes. Metter offensive linemen Jaden Bell might not be a household name, but the 6’3″ 320 lbs. senior moves well, and consistently obliterates his opponent. The big man uses his brute strength to knock over defenders like bowling pins. Deacon Allen had over 50 pancakes this year for Rockmart, and paved the way for two 1000-yard rushers. The 2020 athlete has outstanding quickness and makes key blocks downfield for his team.
Dyquan Bloodsaw had a senior year for the ages with 2326 yards rushing and over 2800 all-purpose yards. No one saw a season like this coming for the senior, but running out of the single-wing, Bloodsaw’s usage was high, which makes his 3 INT’s and 11 pass-breakups on defense even more impressive. He also reportedly did not give a touchdown in man coverage all season long. Peyton Bush from Dodge County could take either specialist spot, but with 17 touchbacks on the year and a 2-A leading 10 field goals made, kicker was the obvious choice. Bush also put 24 punts inside the 20 – talk about a special teams weapon!
No newcomer had a bigger impact in 2-A than Zaylin Wood. The Temple commit was an absolute beast breaking a school record with 42 tackles for loss. At the defensive line spot, Wood finished with an amazing 112 tackles and also 5 sacks. His dominance up front played a pivotal role in Heard’s championship success. Editor’s note: Donte Williams has now been added. The senior from Rockmart had 99 tackles, despite missing 3 games on the year. He averaged 8.25 tackles per game at defensive tackle, and also had 14 tackles for loss as well. Proof is in the pudding, go watch the SR’s film, and how consistent he gets off his blocks. Brooks County senior Ant Daniels moved over from offensive line this season, and blossomed at defensive tackle with a special season. His pure speed and dominance earned Daniels Region Defensive player of the Year honors. Elijah Mayes was 3rd in 2-A with 33 tackles for loss. The ‘All-Everything’ senior at Hephzibah this year also finished with 8 sacks going up against a pretty run-heavy schedule. Jadin Johnson out of Dodge County was a turnover machine with 5 FF and 3 FR too. He shared Region Defensive Player of the Year honors. The 6′ 250 lbs. snior also had 16 tackles for loss and 9 sacks.
Andrew Leak was not 100% for the entire season, but still managed 91 tackles, and 18 tackles for loss. The senior will go down as one of the great tacklers in Heard County history. He was also a ball-magnet this year with 3 interceptions and 3 forced fumbles. Bremen senior Kade Berry plays the game with an abundance of energy, effort and passion. He stuffed the stat sheet with 91 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 5 blocked kicks/punts, 3 interceptions and 2 forced fumbles. Nyshun Bell from Vidalia had 110 tackles on the year while securing 12.5 tackles for loss and 3 sacks. He also rushed the football for 800 yards with a whopping 11 yards per carry. The fast-flowing senior was awarded Region Athlete of the Year for his efforts. Coosa senior Gavin Hughes is a big 6’3″ 225 lbs linebacker who took home Region Defensive Player of the Year honors. The Mercer commit is a great athlete who totaled 105 tackles, 6 sacks to go along with an interception and 2 forced fumbles. Preston Daniels played almost every down of every play for Washington County. The senior who just committed to Kennesaw State had 133 tackles, 34 tackles for loss (2nd in 2-A) and an one interception.
Dublin corner Tyler Strickland clamps down on opposing receivers, giving many their worse performance of the year. He finished off 2018 with 4 interceptions while also shouldering some of the offensive load. After leading the state with double-digit interceptions as a junior, offenses learned to not test Malik Fleming this year. The shutdown East Carolina commit was Region Defensive Player of the Year at Hapeville Charter. He displayed his dynamic athleticism by returning back 4 kicks on special teams. Quincy Sheppard from Heard County is definitely a slept on senior. With 7 interceptions on the year, the athletic two-way player was near the tops in 2-A to go along with being their biggest offensive threat at receiver. Karey Lee made the All-State team again. The Thomasville senior snagged 6 interceptions on the year showing off his awesome ball skills and instincts. Austin Jones returns to the All-State team again too. The senior is a standout in all three facets of the game, but gets the nod on defense with 105 tackles, 67 of which were solo, and 6 PBU’s on the season despite missing two games. He also averaged 83 yards receiving, which was the 3rd highest in 2-A.
Typically we do a return position in this spot, but with Jaden Jenkins rushing for 2147 yards at Jefferson County, we just could not overlook a season like that. The Georgia Southern commit averaged 165 yards per game on the ground and collected 30 touchdowns on the season. Kevin Jones from Harlem earns the top punter spot in 2-A. He led the classification with a booming 49.3 yards per punt and a long of 72 yards.
How is Steve Linton from Dublin not an All Stater?
2-A is loaded with DL talent…. Way too many players have an argument to be on the team. I spent the final few hours going back and forth on defensive linemen.
Bloodsaw was the leading rusher in 2A with 2326 yds
And to add he had 30 rushing touchdowns on the year
Jamal Watkins our of Swainsboro 132 tackles 78 solos #32 in the state and he’s not all state?
The Linton kid from Dublin should Def be All State. He was a game changer and gave qbs nightmares coming off the edge. Syracuse, Arizona State, and South Florida are a few colleges after him.
Done
Donte Williams DL from Rockmart???? Not sure how you could miss him! Also, Markus Smith RB/DB from Rockmart. Congrats to those that made it but it’s not a complete list without these two!!
Bloodsaw proved week after week his mettle.
Congrats to Aaron Beasley for making the list. He’s definitely a force to be reckoned with on both sides of the ball. With recruitments from several schools, one of which being Tennessee, I think we will be seeing this guy on Saturday’s in the Fall. Congrats to all the kids that made it and those that were deserving but didn’t make it. I agree with commenters above that there are so many talented players in 2A that it had to be a difficult task choosing. Those that aren’t listed know that they did a great job and I’m sure their communities won’t let them forget it any time soon. 🙂
I’m reconsidering one of my DL picks, in-light of new information – will keep it as simple as that. Will have a final choice at 12 pm.
they all are great players!
Heard Co. QB Alijah Huzzie should have been on the list. He broke the schools record for most TD passes in a single season.
I will never slander a kid that is on here because they all worked hard to earn it, but did you look at season totals or averages? because it seems to me when it takes 14 games for player(s) to barely pass those that played 11 maybe you aren’t looking at the full body of work, Or maybe you just relied on the buddy buddy system. Just sayin… you can try that next year.
Primarily averages – stats like tackles, tackles for loss are pretty subjective from team to team. I watch film, look at individual game splits too. Since we are playing devils advocate, have you ever thought the teams that win/play more games also blow out teams by the 2nd quarter, and play their backups most of the 2nd half?
How is Steve Linton not on this list??
Why Tyvik Wallace is not on here as a ol he made all region and is pretty good
How is someone from metter on the list they didn’t make the playoffs. I thought you had to play a playoff game to be in the running for Allstate. Some teams that made it have no one on the list so how is someone from a team that didn’t make it on the list.
Will there be honarable mentions this year?
Yes, right before the new year.
Thanks, Hopefully the Ironman is honored. the Two Way player that never comes off the field. Brant Ivey from Bremen is that guy.
Seems to me that if you are the Region player of the year in what was considered the toughest Region in that classification, and you were the MVP in the championship game for the winning team that you probably should be the AA PLAYER OF THE YEAR IJS LOL
How did Brant Ivey get left off of this list?
One name. Marcus Carroll, RB, Hapeville Charter…………