2016 All-Clayton County Football Team By Luke Strickland
JONESBORO — Clayton County has been a hotbed for football talent over the last few seasons and the 2016 season was no different. The Clayton News is pleased to announce its 2016 All-County Football team, which is listed below.
Offensive Player of the Year: Joseph Cambridge, Riverdale
Defensive Player of the Year: Mike Harris, Lovejoy
Coach of the Year: Cap Burnett, North Clayton
First Team Offense
Quarterback: John Seter, Lovejoy
Seter transformed the Lovejoy offense this season, throwing for 2,000 yards and 21 touchdowns en route to a First Team All-Region 4-6A selection.
Running Back: Zion Custis, Lovejoy
Custis rushed for 1,487 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Wildcats. He was a First Team All-Region 4-6A selection.
Running Back: C.J. Davenport, Drew
Davenport was effective as a runner and a receiver for the Titans. He totalled 1,147 all-purpose yards and scored eight touchdowns.
Wide Receiver: Greg White, Riverdale
White was the most productive receiver in the county this season, snagging 59 passes for 1,034 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was a First Team All-Region 3-5A selection.
Wide Receiver: Jayden Thomas, Lovejoy
Thomas caught 35 passes for 546 yards and seven touchdowns and was named to the Second Team in Region 4-6A this season.
Wide Receiver: Kennan Thomas, Riverdale
Thomas acted as Riverdale’s secondary receiving option, but was a nightmare matchup for opposing teams. He caught 43 passes for 661 yards and four touchdowns.
Offensive Line: John Kelly, Mundy’s Mill
Kelly was a First Team All-Region 4-6A selection after recording 37 pancake blocks.
Offensive Line: Tremond Shorts, Lovejoy
Shorts provided senior leadership for the Wildcats, allowing just two sacks while recording 15 knockdowns this season. He was also a First Team All-Region 4-6A selection.
Offensive Line: Soloman Lightfoot, Lovejoy
Lightfoot solidified the interior of Lovejoy’s offensive line, grading out at 81 percent this season. He was also a First Team All-Region 4-6A selection.
Offensive Line: Brian Williams, Riverdale
Williams graded out at 92 percent this season for the Raiders. He was a First Team All-Region 3-5A selection.
Offensive Line: Christopher Mitchell, North Clayton
Mitchell was North Clayton’s top offensive lineman and was an All-Region 4-4A selection.
Athlete: Marquese Taylor, Lovejoy
Taylor was one of the county’s top two-way players until he missed the final games of the season due to injury. He caught nine touchdowns and recorded 574 yards receiving while also acting as the team’s top defensive back.
Specialist: Shane Smith, Lovejoy
Smith led the county in scoring and was a Second Team All-Region 4-6A selection.
First Team Defense
Defensive Line: Tyree Leonard, Mount Zion
Leonard was a force up front for the Bulldogs, recording 68 tackles, 16 tackles for a loss and 17 sacks. He was named to the First Team in Region 4-6A.
Defensive Line: Dante Walker, Riverdale
Walker dominated up front for the Raiders, recording 80 tackles, eight sacks, 13 tackles for a loss, five forces fumbles and three fumble recoveries. He was a First Team All-Region 3-5A selection.
Defensive Line: Yaya Diaby, North Clayton
Diaby was dominant on the defensive line for a tough North Clayton defense, earning First Team All-Region 4-4A honors.
Defensive Line: Bubba Thomas, Riverdale
Thomas recorded 39 tackles for the Raiders and commanded double teams from his nose tackle position. He was a First Team All-Region 3-5A selection.
Linebacker: Anthony Menchaca, Drew
Menchaca recorded 119 tackles and nine tackles for a loss this season. He was a First Team All-Region 4-6A selection.
Linebacker: Fred Wright, Morrow
Wright led the Mustangs in tackles and was a First Team All-Region 3-5A honors.
Linebacker: Tevin Hull, North Clayton
Hull led the Eagles in tackles and tackles for a loss this season, earning All-Region 4-4A honors.
Defensive Back: Meshael Custis, Lovejoy
Custis returned from injury to help Lovejoy reach the postseason in his senior season. He recorded 48 tackles, three interceptions and 12 pass breakups en route to a First Team selecton in Region 4-6A.
Defensive Back: Deon Andrews, Riverdale
Andrews was a First Team All-Region 3-5A selection after recording 82 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, six forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and three interceptions.
Defensive Back: Thomas Wallace, Lovejoy
Wallace was involved in several big plays down the stretch for Lovejoy, particularly in the first round of the state playoffs against Richmond Hill. He intercepted two passes and recorded five tackles for a loss.
Defensive Back: Lenox Copeland, Mount Zion
Copeland intercepted five passes and broke up 11 more this season for the Bulldogs. He was a Second Team All-Region 4-6A selection.
Specialist: Seadrick Phlegm, Mount Zion
Phlegm made the All-Region 4-6A team as a punter after averaging 40 yards per punt.
Second Team Offense
Quarterback: Gary Tyner, Drew
Running Back: James Monroe, North Clayton
Running Back: Emmanuel Clark, Mount Zion
Wide Receiver: Avery Wilson, Forest Park
Wide Receiver: Darius Snellings, Mundy’s Mill
Wide Receiver: Jonathan Foster, Riverdale
Offensive Line: Noah Tucker, Drew
Offensive Line: Jared Preston, Mount Zion
Offensive Line: Destin McMillan, Jonesboro
Offensive Line: Qahir Girard, Morrow
Offensive Line: Myles Best, Lovejoy
Athlete: Jaiquan Earls, North Clayton
Specialist: Uli Silva, Riverdale
Second Team Defense
Defensive Line: C.J. Marria, Jonesboro
Defensive Line: Ramon Hill, Mount Zion
Defensive Line: Hardrick Willis, Mundy’s Mill
Defensive Line: LeMarcus Washington, Riverdale
Linebacker: Brandon Blake, Lovejoy
Linebacker: E.J. Burton, Mount Zion
Linebacker: Myrick Walker, Drew
Defensive Back: Casey Grigley, Mundy’s Mill
Defensive Back: DeMaje Carter, Mount Zion
Defensive Back: Jakwon Lipscomb, Riverdale
Defensive Back: M.J. Latimer, Drew
Specialist: Mike Aguirre, Mount Zion
Honorable Mention
Nelson Armour, Drew; Lloyd Wheeler, Drew; Jordan Bolden, Drew; Brendon Johnson, Forest Park; Jalen Pugh, Jonesboro; Matavion Brooks, Jonesboro; Jeremy Allred, Jonesboro; Wykeith Holcombe, Jonesboro; Macai Bruce, Jonesboro; Dayton Wade, Lovejoy; Marlon Rowden, Lovejoy; Justin Ferguson; Lovejoy; Monte Smith, Lovejoy; Caleb Jones, Lovejoy; Malik Astin, Lovejoy; Will Rogers, Lovejoy; Tyson Lattimore, Morrow; Brandon Mercer, Morrow; Roman Victor, Mount Zion; Terrance Mais, Mundy’s Mill; Kimani Donaldson, Mundy’s Mill; Kaziah Hall, Mundy’s Mill; Nat McKissic, Mundy’s Mill; Nick Manson, Mundy’s Mill; Armani Donaldson, Mundy’s Mill; Alexander Holland, Mundy’s Mill; Keelin Lee, North Clayton; Anthony King, North Clayton; Rayvon Kee, North Clayton; Marquiz Thomas, North Clayton; Sonny Anderson, North Clayton; Jalen Hughes, Riverdale; Lloyd Scott, Riverdale; Josh Moore, Riverdale; Jaeden Douglass, Riverdale