Nine local players named ASWA Football All-State

MADISON – The Alabama Sports Writers Association (ASWA) has announced its All-State Football Teams for the 2025 season and no less than nine players from the four local teams have made the list of the elite players. Bob Jones, James Clemens and Sparkman each had two players named in Class 7A while Madison Academy in Class 4A celebrated its wealth of talent with three players named to the post-season list.

One local player earned the honor of being chosen as First-Team All-State. M.J. Gideon of James Clemens, a 5-foot-11, 205-pound junior running back made the well-deserved slot among the First-Team. James Clemens was 5-6 on the season and Gideon presented some impressive statistics from his play to assist the Jets. He had 1,810 all-purpose yards broken down to 1,221 yards rushing, 287 yards receiving and 302 kickoff return yards.

“His All-State selection speaks not only to his production on Friday nights, but to his preparation, discipline and commitment to his teammates,” said Juan Johnson head coach of James Clemens. “He’s one of the most complete offensive players I’ve coached.”

The Second-Team selections included Gideon’s teammate Malaki Cooper (OL, 6-3, 265, Jr.) who is also a junior for James Clemens. The huge offensive lineman graded 98-percent for the season where he allowed one sack and had 70 knockdowns. “He’s the anchor of our offensive line. His All-State selection reflects his physicality, football IQ and the way he competes snap after snap. His impact goes far beyond statistics as a leader in our locker room and community,” said Johnson, of his star offensive lineman.

Sparkman had two players selected to the Class 7A Sec- ond-Team with running back Braylon Lawson (RB, 6-1, 190, Jr.) and Blake Battle (LB, 5-10, 190, Sr.) at linebacker having the honor. For the junior Lawson, he battled his way to 1,480 yards on 184 carries, averaging an amazing eight yards per carry and scored 12 touchdowns. He also had four catches for 50 yards and one score, although he saw limited play in the season’s last games of the season due to a foot injury.

Ronnie Watson, head coach of the Senators who were 5-6 on the 2025 season, said of Lawson, who will return next season as a senior, “Braylon is what any coach would want in a student-athlete. He is so coachable and intense on the field and off the field in the weight room and classroom. Ever since he arrived on campus as a freshman, Braylon has worked so hard, he deserves everything he has earned thus far. His commitment and work ethic is second to none and I look forward to his senior year.”

The Sparkman defense was also represented on the All-State selections as the senior linebacker Battle pounded his way to the elite group. Watson spoke on his star linebacker, “Blake is how I define a ‘football player.’ He’s always where the action is and finds the ball and even attacks life in general. He makes plays, leads with passion, and is such a hard worker on the field, in the weight room and in the classroom. He has had such an impact these last two years and I can’t wait to see what he does in his next chapter of life.”

Battle, who played in the 2025 East vs. West Blue-Grey All-American Bowl in Arlington, Texas, had 147 tackles on Sparkman’s 5-6 season, which included a 43-13 loss to Daphne in round-one of the AHSAA playoffs.

Bob Jones placed one player each on the Second-Team and Honorable Mention selections. Wide receiver Rhys Dorsey (WR, 6-1, 180, Sr.) made Second-Team after a spectacular season where he had 699 yards and eight touchdowns on 47 pass catches, and 715 yards and five touchdowns on 25 rushing attempts. Dorsey also had three kickoff returns for scores off his 10 attempts.

Kelvis White, who retired from his head coach position with the Patriots at the completion of the 2025 campaign, said of Dorsey, “He is a dynamic football player with elite speed and playmaking ability. He had a great year for us and could always depend on his to make a big play.”

“Romeo Washington was a leader on the defensive side of the ball for us. A physical tackler that has a nose for the football. He led us in tackles the past two seasons.”

That was White’s expressions on Romeo Washington (LB, 6-1,210, Sr.) the senior linebacker who was named Honorable Mention All-State. He had 110 tackles including eight for a loss. He was a three-year starter for the Patriots and played in the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl in Orlando, Fla. and is expected to participate in the Jan. 9-11 Tennessee vs. Alabama High School Bowl Game in Daytona Beach, Fla.

The Class 4A Madison Academy Mustangs had three players make the post-season squads. Linebacker Barrett Canerday (LB, 6-0, 185, Sr.) made Second- Team after collecting 118 tackles, including four for a loss. Madison Academy lost in round two of the post-season playoffs and surrendered 27 points per game for the 2025 season.

Bob Godsey, head coach of the Mustangs, said of Canerday, “Barrett was our defensive leader. He made all the calls, but most importantly, Barrett played every play with intensity and toughness.”

The Mustangs had two performers named Honorable Mention. Daylen Scott (RB, 6-0, 175, Sr.) at running back and quarterback Charleston Owens (QB, 5-8, 160, So.) made the selections.

“Daylen improved every day. He is a very talented football player and even better person,” said Godsey, of Scott who was all over the field for the Mustangs rushing for 1,350 yards (8-ypc) and 28 touchdowns on 168 carries. He also had 42 yards on six pass receptions along with eight kickoff returns for an additional 200 yards.

Owens led an offense that scored at a rate of 38 points per outing. He passed for 2,588 yards, 21 touchdowns and just five interceptions on 264 completions at a completion rate of 69.7-percent. He also rushed 94 times for a total 864 yards and seven touchdowns. Not bad for a competitive sophomore who has seasons still awaiting him the next two years.