ASWA names Mr. Football finalists

By PAUL BEAUDRY
For The ASWA

Seven athletes who were major contributors to state championship teams have a chance to win an individual title next month, as the Alabama Sports Writers Association announced its 42 finalists for the 30^th annual Mr. Football Award today.

Three backs and three linemen in each of the Alabama High School Athletic Association's six classes as well as one for the Alabama Independent Schools Association were selected as finalists in their categories, which will be announced at the annual Player of the Year/ Mr. Football banquet at the Alabama Activity Center in Montgomery on Jan. 18, 2012.

The nominees were chosen by the ASWA prep committee at its all-state meeting, from a list provided by from sports writers who cover high school events as well as from the state's head coaches.

Two of the seven came from the same team - Class 3A champion Handley, as offensive lineman Bradley Bozeman and linebacker Chris Dillard were named finalists for Lineman of the Year in that class. Austin Golson of Class 6A Prattville, and defensive lineman E.J. Sledge of AISA 3A champ Bessemer Academy were also linemen of the year finalists in their respective classes.

Quarterback Dustyn Moseley of Class 4A champion Jackson was named as a Back of the Year finalist in his class, as was Michael Lindsey of Class 2A winner Elba and Edgewood Academy's Sam Coleman, the AISA's Class 2A champion.

Thanks to sponsorship from the Alabama High School Athletic Directors and Coaches Association, the Back and Linemen of the Year winners will be announced at the banquet, in a return to a format that was in place prior to 2007. For the past three seasons, the winners were announced prior to the event. It will also be the first time the Player of the Year banquet has not been held in Birmingham since its inception in 1998.

In addition to Handley, six other schools have two players named finalists:  Class 1A Linden placed defensive back Anthony Robinson and linebacker Terris Lewis, Class 2A American Christian had quarterback Austin Grammer and defensive lineman Kyle Sappington, Class 3A Leeds had running back Ladarius Rodgers and defensive lineman Javiere Mitchell, Class 5A Hueytown has quarterback Jameis "Jaboo" Winston and defensive lineman Chris Rabb, while Class 6A Daphne placed running back T.J. Yeldon and defensive lineman Ryan Anderson among the finalists.

ASWA 2011 Mr. Football Finalists

Class 6A Back

Trae Elston, Oxford, DB, Sr., 6-0, 183
Caleb Sims, Hoover, Athlete, Sr., 5-9, 180
T.J. Yeldon, Daphne, RB, Sr., 6-2, 210

Class 6A Lineman

Ryan Anderson, Daphne, DL, 6-2, 250
Austin Golson, Prattville, OL, Jr. 6-6, 275
Reggie Ragland, Bob Jones, LB, Sr., 6-3, 245

Class 5A Back

Maurice Crews, Eufaula, RB, Sr., 5-9, 185
Jake Ganus, Chelsea, Athlete, Sr., 6-4, 195
Jameis "Jaboo" Winston, Hueytown, QB, Sr., 6-4, 200

Class 5A Lineman

Dee Liner, Muscle Shoals, DL, Jr., 6-4, 255
Chris Rabb, Hueytown, DL, Sr. 6-1, 210
Jamichael Winston, Vigor, DL, Sr., 6-6, 240

Class 4A Back

C.J. Cutts, Bibb Co., RB, Sr., 5-9, 205
Troymaine Pope, Anniston, RB, Sr., 5-9, 193
Dustyn Moseley, Jackson, QB, Sr., 6-1, 200

Class 4A Lineman

Rod Crayton, Dadeville, DL, Jr., 6-0, 290
Tyler Hayes, Thomasville, LB, Sr., 6-2, 210
Darren Lake, Sumter Co., DL, Sumter Central, Sr. 6-3, 328

Class 3A Back

Ladarius Rodgers, Leeds, RB, Sr., 5-11, 215
Diamond Simmons, Hanceville, RB, Sr., 5-11, 174
Shawncey Simmons, Clay Co., Athlete, Sr., 6-0, 170

Class 3A Lineman

Bradley Bozeman, Handley, OL, Jr., 6-4, 325
Javiere Mitchell, Leeds, DL, Sr., 6-2, 210
Chris Dillard, Handley, LB, Sr., 5-8, 190

Class 2A Back

Austin Grammer, American Christian, QB, Sr., 6-2, 210
Michael Lindsey, Elba, RB, Sr., 5-10, 160
ArDarius Stewart, Fultondale, Athlete, Jr., 6-1, 190

Class 2A Lineman

Kemond Gauntt, Reeltown, LB, Sr., 6-1, 170
Bradley Patterson, Red Bay, DL, Sr., 5-11, 255
Kyle Sappington, American Christian, DL, Sr., 6-4, 210

Class 1A Back

DeMarko Hall, Pickens Co., WR, Sr., 5-10, 185
Terrence Hollingsworth, Berry, RB, Jr., 5-9, 193
Anthony Robinson, Linden, DB, Jr., 5-9, 147

Class 1A Lineman

Damien Davenport, McIntosh, OL, Jr., 6-2, 255
Curtavious Gray, Winterboro, DL, Sr., 6-2, 260
Terris Lewis, Linden, LB, Sr., 6-2, 198

AISA Back

Xavier Bond, Glenwood, RB, Sr., 6-0, 185
Sam Coleman, Edgewood Acad., WR, Edgewood Acad., 5-11, 175
Parker Hughes, Morgan Acad., RB, Morgan Acad., Sr., 5-10, 205

AISA Lineman

Blake Glaze, Springwood, LB, Sr., 5-11, 195
Nick McLaughlin, Pike Liberal, LB, Sr., 6-2, 220
E.J. Sledge, Bessemer Acad., DL, Sr., 6-2, 250