VALDOSTA —
The Associated Press has released the 2012 Georgia High School Association All-State football teams.
Lowndes placed two players on the Class 6A All-State team, while Valdosta placed none. Brooks County placed two on the Class AA team. Cook and Lanier County each placed one defender.
Lowndes lineman Tyler Aultman was named second team offense, while fellow senior Tiquan Lang was named second team returner.
Aultman graded out at 78.1 percent with 27 knockdowns this season, recording 25 pancake blocks and allowing one quarterback pressure in 2012 for the Vikings, who finished with a 9-2 record.
Lang, a player that was nominated for athlete and safety, finished the year averaging 19.4 yards per punt return and 36.6 yards per kickoff return. He scored three touchdowns off returns, finished with a team-high four interceptions and scored six rushing touchdowns this season.
Brooks County junior receiver Deric Herring was named first team offense in Class AA. The go-to target for second team quarterback Malkom Parrish, Herring hauled in a team-leading 65 catches for 949 yards with 14 touchdowns this season for the Region 1-AA champion Trojans.
Parrish, also a junior, finished the year as the Trojans’ leader in yardage after throwing for 3,001 yards and rushing for 1,000. He finished the year with 41 total touchdowns.
Cook’s Matt Foster was named second team defense after finishing the year with 63 tackles, seven sacks and eight tackles for loss for the Hornets. Foster is receiving offers from South Alabama, Jacksonville State and Chattanooga.
Berrien’s Devonte Bass was named an Honorable Mention this season, despite the Rebels finishing with a 3-7 record. Bass finished the year with 1,610 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Lanier County linebacker Russell Zirkle was named to the second team defense. Zirkle, a First Team All-Region 2-A selection, finished the year with a team-best 107 tackles and 9 1/2 sacks. He also had three interceptions.
Gainesville High School’s Deshaun Watson was named the state’s All-Class Player of the Year after he guided the Red Elephants to an undefeated record and the Class 5A state championship.
The Clemson University commitment completed 70 percent of his passes (305 of 434) for 4,011 yards with 50 touchdowns and just eight interceptions.
In Class 6A, Norcross’ Alvin Kamara was named the Offensive Player of the Year, while Lovejoy’s Nathaniel Norwood was named the Defensive Player of the Year. Norcross head coach Keith Maloof was named the Coach of the Year.
In Class AA, state champion Jefferson made a clean sweep. Quarterback Bryant Shirreffs was named the Offensive POY; Wesley Simonton was named the Defensive POY. Dragons’ head coach T. McFerrin was named the Coach of the Year.
In Class A, Wilcox County quarterback Makail Grace was named the Offensive Player of the Year, while Dooly County’s Mantravius Adams was named the Defensive POY. Eagles Landing Christian head coach Jonathan Gless, who guided the Chargers to the Class A Private School state championship, was named the Coach of the Year.
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7 local players named AP All-State
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Vikings sweep Alcovy
Cory Pope gave the Lowndes Vikings everything they needed in game one of Wednesday’s doubleheader against the Alcovy Tigers. Then in game two, Lowndes’ offense came alive and provided plenty of support as the Vikings swept Alcovy 2-0 and 8-1 in the second round of the Class AAAAAA state playoffs at Noel George Field.
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VSU softball wins record fifth straight GSC championship
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VSU’s Albritton named GSC Player of Year
Courtney Albritton terrorized the Gulf South Conference as a freshman in 2012. She did it again in 2013.
The sophomore from Sycamore was named the Gulf South Conference Player of the Year Wednesday, an honor that was bestowed upon her as a freshman for the Valdosta State softball team last year. - More Top Sports News Headlines
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