Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
Hewitt-Trussville quarterback Peyton Floyd (7) carries the ball during a Class 7A state semifinal game at Thompson High School’s Warrior Stadium in Alabaster on Nov. 24.
The Alabama Sports Writers Association released its all-state football team in late December, with plenty of representation from Hewitt-Trussville and Clay-Chalkville high school players.
Drew Gilmer was named the Class 6A Coach of the Year after leading the Cougars to their second state championship in the last three seasons. The Cougars, fueled by a shocking first-round playoff loss in 2022, took down four-time defending 7A state champion Thompson in the regular season and knocked off defending 6A champ Saraland to win the program’s fourth state crown.
Between the Huskies and Cougars, six players made the first team, the Hewitt players in 7A and the Clay players in 6A.
Both quarterbacks were named to the first team as athletes, as Hewitt-Trussville’s Peyton Floyd and Clay-Chalkville’s Jaylen Mbakwe were recognized for their outstanding seasons.
Floyd helped lead the Huskies to their first state semifinal appearance since 1996. The reigning 7A Quarterback of the Year put together another standout campaign, totaling 45 touchdowns and over 3,500 yards.
Mbakwe was one of the top players in the state as well, as he moved to quarterback full time this season after playing the last three years primarily as a receiver. Even though he is expected to play defensive back at Alabama, Mbakwe accumulated more than 3,000 total yards and led the Cougars to the state title.
Hewitt-Trussville tight end Donovan Price was named a first team offensive lineman. He had 21 catches for 289 yards and a pair of touchdowns on the year.
Clay-Chalkville wide receiver Mario Craver, linebacker DJ Barber and offensive lineman Shaq McRoy were each named to the first team as well. Craver finished with more than 1,000 all-purpose yards and recently signed with Mississippi State. Barber, an Auburn signee, racked up more than 130 tackles on the year and made the game-sealing tackle on the final play of the state championship. McRoy signed with Oregon and was best known this year for scoring on a two-point conversion against Thompson.
For Hewitt-Trussville, receiver Jadon Loving, defensive lineman Tyrell Averhart and defensive back Riggs Dunn made the second team. Loving had over 1,000 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. Averhart finished the year with 15 tackles for loss and 13 quarterback hurries. Dunn intercepted four passes and was a stellar return man.
Offensive lineman Brady Phillips, defensive lineman Avion Pickett and linebacker Carlos Ivy were each named 6A second team. Phillips was a stalwart on the line, Pickett lived in the opposing backfield and Ivy served as a great running mate with Barber on that defense.
Michael Igbinoghene was named honorable mention for the Huskies as well.
