All-State Football Teams Feature Local Players
MADISON- The schools within the Madison area are well represented among the Alabama Sports Writers Association 2018 All-State Football Teams. Fifteen student-athletes from the four local schools found a spot in the ASWA first or second team and honorable selection squads just released.
The three local Class 7A schools each placed members on the First Team selections. Those named to the elite squad included WR- John Michael Riley, Bob Jones, Sr., 5-10, 180; OL- Zach Taylor, James Clemens, Jr., 6-5, 305; DL- Daevion Davis, James Clemens, Sr., 6-2, 305; LB- Jacobye Green, Bob Jones, Sr., 6-1, 210; Punter- Miles Tillman, Sparkman, Jr., 5-11, 180.
Second Team selections included WR- Austin McGhee, James Clemens, Sr., 5-10, 190; DB- Dell Pettus, Sparkman, Sr., 6-0, 190; Athlete- Caden Rose, Bob Jones, Jr., 5-10, 170.
Players named Honorable Mention were QB- Jamil Muhammad, James Clemens, Sr., 6-1, 212; LB- Zach Hopkins, James Clemens, Sr., 6-0, 220; Athlete- Khalil Griffin, Bob Jones, Sr., 6-0, 190.
In Class 5A, the Madison Academy Mustangs had four players named to the elite squads chosen from teams from across Alabama. First Team selection was LB- Hunter Schrader, Sr., 5-10, 170. Second Team picks included QB- Luke Nail, Jr., 6-4, 190. Those named to Honorable Mention were WR- Kyle Minor, Sr., 5-8, 185 and DL- Wil Clardy, Sr., 5-11, 190.
“This has always been a dream for me as I was challenged by some team leaders when I was a sophomore so making the All-State Team is very special,” said Schrader, who was nicknamed “Headhunter” by his team as he posted 150 tackles, seven for losses, two sacks and two fumble recoveries for the Mustangs. “I knew I had a good year and there are others on our team that deserve to be chosen. I’m just happy to be among the best.”
Schrader is currently contemplating his decision on playing college football. He has had numerous offers from mainly Div. II schools and will make his decision by National Signing Day in February. He looks to study sports marketing and may join the U.S. Army after his college education in complete.
Those making the ASWA spots who have already signed college scholarships during the December Early National Signing period were Daevion Davis and Jamil Muhammad both signing with Vanderbilt, Dell Pettus who inked with Troy University and Zach Hopkins who agreed to play for Mercer University.
For Green of Bob Jones, he knew he had an outstanding season by having 162 tackles with 13 tackles for losses and three each forced fumbles and sacks. With numbers of that caliber he was a near guarantee to make the elite squad.
“I play very skilled, aggressive, balanced and very competitive said Green, who has a 3.0 grade point average and wants to study mechanical engineering in college. “I had a growth plate injury to my left knee while in seventh grade and wasn’t sure if I could ever play football again at a top level. I had a good productive season and attribute a lot of my success to my teammates. I also see the award as a nice payoff for all of my hard work.”
Green has had college offers from the likes of Georgia Tech, Duke, Southern Miss, Kent State and South Alabama. He’ll make his choice in February just as he gets started with the Bob Jones track team running the 100-meter and throwing the shot put.
