Madison Academy Dominates Class 5A Region 8 All-Region Football Team

MADISON- More than a dozen players and head coach from Madison Academy were named to the Class 5A, Region 8 All-Region Football Team voted on by each head coach of the eight teams in the region.

Madison Academy head coach Grant Reynolds was named Coach of the Year, senior wide receiver Kyle Minor was selected as Most Valuable Player and senior lineman Mark Woeber was voted Co-Lineman of the Year. In addition to those top three honors, 12 other Mustangs were named to the All-Region Team.

“The award for me is a testament to our players who are all outstanding and to the great staff of assistant coaches who in my opinion are the best group of staff coaches in the state of Alabama,” said Reynolds, who completed his third season as head coach at Madison Academy in 2018. “I’m honored to win the award as there are numerous great coaches in our region.”

The Mustangs won Region 8 with a perfect 7-0 record and outscored their region opponents by 199 points. Overall, Madison Academy finished the 2018 season at 10-2 losing its season opening game to McCallie, Tennessee 42-14 and ended the campaign in the second round of the Class 5A playoffs with a loss to Central Clay County 44-19. On the season, the Mustangs scored an average of 38 points per game while giving up 21 points per outing.

For Minor, one of 13 seniors on the team and who is looking at several college possibilities to continue his outstanding talents, he had 54 receptions for 1,137 yards and 17 touchdowns. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound speedster is known for his 4.7 speed in the 40-yard sprint and his outstanding running of his routes and his marvelous hands.

“Kyle came into his own this season and worked extremely hard during the off-season in all areas of his game, especially learning to run his pass routes much better,” said Reynolds. “He was faster than anyone on the field against all of our opponents.”

Minor has had offers from Sewanee-University of the South, Birmingham-Southern and Huntington College. Reynolds added, “Kyle will be a good fit at any school he attends.”

Woeber, who had 6-4, 235, played both ways for the Mustangs anchoring a line that stood out head and shoulders above the remainder of the Region 8 opponents. “Mark was very reliable and a good example for our younger kids,” added Reynolds.

The remainder of the players from Madison Academy chosen as First-Team All-Region included- Tex Bailey (Sr.-OL), Daniel Brent (Sr.-LB), Evan Brooks (Sr.-DB), Evan Craighead (Jr.-LB), Jaylin Ingram (Jr.-DT), Carson Kennamer (Sr.-TE), Josh Malone (Jr.-DB), Luke Nail (Jr.-QB), Slate Rucker (Jr.-WR), Hunter Schrader (Sr.-LB), Avery Seaton (So.-Ath.) and Jack Ward (Sr.-LB).

“We’re well represented on the All-Region Team as we had a lot play makers on this squad,” said Reynolds. “I’m proud of our players stepping up and doing well and setting the tone for years to come here at Madison Academy.”