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Photo by Richard Force.
John Carroll Head Coach Will Mara gets ready to call a play during a game between the John Carroll Cavaliers and the Wenonah Dragons at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023 in Birmingham. Photo by Richard Force.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
Homewood offensive lineman Jaxon Brooks (74) moves in on coverage of Calera’s Jaylon Lee (91) at Calera High School on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. Homewood defeated the Eagles 43-21 to earn the Patriots their first win of the season. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
John Carroll quarterback/safety Carson McFadden (7) looks to pass the ball at Fairfeld High Preparatory School on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023. The Cavs defeated Fairfield 45-28. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
John Carroll wide receiver Zach Archer (1) runs the ball as Carver’s Da’Marrius Story (4) moves in on coverage in a game at Pat Sullivan Field on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
Homewood wide receiver Kylen Newell (15) catches a pass from Will Myers in a game against Calera on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, at Calera High School’s Ricky M Cairns Memorial Stadium. Homewood defeated the Eagles 43-21 to earn the Patriots their first win of the season. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Richard Force.
Homewood quarterback Will Myers (11) throws a pass to wide receiver Camron Fortson (1) during a game between the Homewood Patriots and the Pinson Valley Indians at Willie Adams Stadium on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023 in Pinson. Photo by Richard Force.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
Homewood defensive back Talton Thomas (12) moves in to tackle Calera running back Quatez Williams (6) in a game against Calera on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, at Calera High School’s Ricky M Cairns Memorial Stadium. Homewood defeated the Eagles 43-21 to earn the Patriots their first win of the season. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
John Carroll kicker Charles Farr (19) kicks the extra point at Fairfeld High Preparatory School on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023. The Cavs defeated Fairfield 45-28. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
John Carroll running back/wide receiver/offensive linebacker Mitchell Nutter (25) runs the ball as Fairfield wide receiver Cade Austin (11) moves in to make the stop at Fairfeld High Preparatory School on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023. The Cavs defeated Fairfield 45-28. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
John Carroll tight end/defensive end/linebacker CJ Wyatt (2) guards Fairfield quarterback Ju’Maria Hamilton (1) at Fairfeld High Preparatory School on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023. The Cavs defeated Fairfield 45-28. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Richard Force.
Homewood punter/wide receiver RC Gartman (7) punts the ball during a first-round playoff game between the Homewood Patriots and the Pike Road Patriots at Pike Road Stadium on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023 in Pike Road, Alabama. Photo by Richard Force.
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Photo by David Leong.
John Carroll wide receiver/linebacker Max Plaia (11) makes a tackle during a game between the Marbury Bulldogs and John Carroll Cavaliers at John Carroll High School in Birmingham on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023. Photo by David Leong
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Photo by James Nicholas.
Homewood inside linebacker Trust Darnell (33) during a game against Jasper on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023 at Waldrop Stadium in Homewood. Photo by James Nicholas.
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Photo by Richard Force.
Homewood defensive back Malek Smiley (5) returns an interception during a game between the Homewood Patriots and the Pinson Valley Indians at Willie Adams Stadium on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023 in Pinson. Photo by Richard Force.
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Photo by David Leong.
John Carroll offensive lineman Jack Chandler (64) celebrates a touchdown by John Carroll's Tristen Rutledge (26) during a game between the Marbury Bulldogs and John Carroll Cavaliers at John Carroll High School in Birmingham, AL on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023. Photo by David Leong
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Photo by Richard Force.
A Homewood defensive back John Griffin (3), linebacker Trust Darnell (33), and defensive lineman Randall Jaquez (34) make a tackle during a game between the Homewood Patriots and the Pinson Valley Indians at Willie Adams Stadium on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023 in Pinson. Photo by Richard Force.
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Photo by James Nicholas.
Homewood inside linebacker Luke Eldridge (6) keeps his eye on the quarterback during a game against Jasper at Waldrop Stadium in Homewood on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. Photo by James Nicholas.
The 2023 high school football season featured plenty of expected greatness, but also more than a few surprises.
The annual Starnes Media All-South Metro team has familiar faces along with some new ones.
Clay-Chalkville quarterback Jaylen Mbakwe capped off an incredible season by leading the Cougars to a state championship and is one of this year’s Players of the Year.
Hewitt-Trussville quarterback Peyton Floyd shares this year’s Player of the Year honor with Mbakwe after leading the Huskies to the state semifinals and combining for 45 touchdowns in a standout senior season.
Mountain Brook running back Cole Gamble repeats as the Offensive Player of the Year, as he backed up his electric junior season with a senior campaign of 2,000 rushing yards and 30 total touchdowns.
Clay-Chalkville linebacker and Auburn commit DJ Barber is the Defensive Player of the Year, as he helped lead the Cougars to the state championship game and accumulated nearly 150 tackles on the year.
John Carroll head coach Will Mara is this year’s Coach of the Year. The Cavaliers made the playoffs for the first time since 2009 and reset many long streaks in an incredible campaign.
Players of the Year: Peyton Floyd, Hewitt-Trussville, and Jaylen Mbakwe, Clay-Chalkville
Offensive Player of the Year: Cole Gamble, Mountain Brook
Defensive Player of the Year: DJ Barber, Clay-Chalkville
Coach of the Year: Will Mara, John Carroll
1ST TEAM
Offense
QB: Peyton Floyd, Hewitt-Trussville; piled up 930 rushing yards and 2,613 passing yards with 45 combined touchdowns.
QB: John Paul Head, Vestavia Hills; another stellar season, going over 1,000 passing and rushing yards, with 38 touchdowns.
RB: Cole Gamble, Mountain Brook; unstoppable yet again, eclipsing 2,000 rushing yards with 29 touchdowns.
RB: Emerson Russell, Chelsea; rushed for 1,037 yards with 10 touchdowns in only seven games.
WR: Jonathan Bibbs, Spain Park; one of the top receivers in the area, going for 1,031 yards and 10 touchdowns.
WR: Jadon Loving, Hewitt-Trussville; the top target for the Huskies, catching 68 balls for 1,063 yards and 12 touchdowns.
WR: Mario Craver, Clay-Chalkville; finished a fantastic career with over 1,000 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns.
WR: Clark Sanderson, Mountain Brook; played 10 games before injury, nearly reaching 1,000 yards.
TE: Donovan Price, Hewitt-Trussville; a top receiving and blocking tight end in the area.
OL: Jac’Qawn McRoy, Clay-Chalkville; made a highlight reel catch against Thompson, but finished with over 42 knockdowns as well.
OL: Brady Phillips, Clay-Chalkville; graded out at 92% with 17 pancake blocks.
OL: Watts Alexander, Mountain Brook; allowed just one sack all season.
OL: Luke Schultz, Briarwood; finished a stellar career as a three-year starter.
OL: Jaxon Brooks, Homewood; the Patriots’ left tackle graded at 92% with 56 pancakes.
ATH: Jaylen Mbakwe, Clay-Chalkville; moved to quarterback and had a great year, with over 3,000 total yards.
ATH: Carson McFadden, John Carroll; led the Cavs to a great season, going over 1,300 passing and rushing yards, with 34 touchdowns.
K: Owen Simpson, Vestavia Hills; connected on 33-of-34 extra points and 10-of-11 field goals.
Defense
DL: Jordan Ross, Vestavia Hills; a game wrecker, finishing with 63 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and 11 sacks.
DL: Avion Pickett, Clay-Chalkville; lived in the backfield, piling up 22 tackles for loss and 10 sacks.
DL: Luke Dickinson, Briarwood; had 28 quarterback hurries as the top lineman on the team.
DL: Tyrell Averhart, Hewitt-Trussville; had 14 tackles for loss and eight quarterback hurries, despite playing just eight games.
LB: William Grier McDuffie, Mountain Brook; averaged over 10 tackles per game.
LB: DJ Barber, Clay-Chalkville; led the Cougars defense in every way on the path to the title game.
LB: Jack Cornish, Briarwood; a stellar 133 tackles on the year.
LB: Anderson Brooks, Chelsea; had over 100 tackles, eight TFLs and six pass breakups.
DB: JJ Moultrie, Hoover; picked off four passes and blocked four kicks.
DB: Riggs Dunn, Hewitt-Trussville; had 66 tackles and four interceptions, as well as being the returner.
DB: Grey Reebals, Briarwood; had 65 tackles and a pair of defensive touchdowns.
DB: Spence Hanna, Vestavia Hills; had 90 tackles from the secondary.
P: James Whatley, Oak Mountain; averaged over 40 yards per punt.
ATH: Bradley Shaw, Hoover; piled up 90 tackles and scored several touchdowns in a variety of ways.
ATH: Luke Reynolds, Briarwood; had a great season on both sides, rushing for over 500 yards and totaling 69 tackles.
ATH: Zach Archer, John Carroll; came on strong this year, totaling over 1,000 offensive yards and intercepting five passes.
2ND TEAM
Offense
QB: Will Myers, Homewood; only played nine games but put forth 22 total touchdowns.
QB: Brock Bradley, Spain Park; emerged as a sophomore, throwing for 22 touchdowns.
RB: Mitchell Nutter, John Carroll; rushed for 1,232 yards for the upstart Cavs.
RB: William Tonsmeire, Vestavia Hills; rushed for 842 yards.
WR: Keown Richardson, Vestavia Hills; caught 51 passes for 760 yards and five scores.
WR: Jacob Serena, Hewitt-Trussville; a solid option, finishing with 549 yards and six touchdowns.
WR: Kylen Newell, Homewood; caught 43 passes for 567 yards.
WR: Reggie Jackson, Spain Park; scored six touchdowns through the air.
TE: Ryan Redmond, John Carroll; a big play target, finishing with 409 yards and four scores.
OL: JD Livingston, Vestavia Hills; graded at 86% with 40 pancakes.
OL: Kade Martin, Hewitt-Trussville; the Huskies offense took off once he returned from injury.
OL: William Courtenay, Mountain Brook; before injury, he allowed no sacks in his third year starting.
OL: Connor Langston, Spain Park; a strong lineman for the Jags.
OL: Braden Valdez, Hewitt-Trussville; a physical, consistent blocker for the Huskies.
ATH: Jonah Winston, Hoover; played all over the field on offense, scoring 11 total touchdowns.
ATH: Jaxon Shuttlesworth, Chelsea; was an imposing target who caught 45 passes.
K: Charles Farr, John Carroll; hit 35-of-37 extra points and all seven field goal attempts.
Defense
DL: Nik Alston, Spain Park; had seven tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.
DL: CJ Wyatt, John Carroll; led the Cavs defense, piling up 11 TFLs and 3.5 sacks.
DL: Rickey Whitworth, Mountain Brook; had 42 tackles, including 15 TFLs on the year.
DL: Garrett Witherington, Briarwood; racked up seven sacks and blocked two kicks.
LB: Carlos Ivy, Clay-Chalkville; a disruptive force, going well over 100 tackles on the year.
LB: Jacob Watson, Vestavia Hills; had 84 tackles and 16 TFLs on the year.
LB: Jacob Porco, Oak Mountain; one of the top players for the Eagles, picking up 72 tackles.
LB: Talton Thomas, Homewood; had another stellar season for the Patriots, finishing with 88 tackles and 10 TFLs.
DB: Owen Key, Chelsea; had eight pass breakups and 79 tackles.
DB: Tucker Crawford, Mountain Brook; intercepted a pair of passes.
DB: Clyde Beavers, Mountain Brook; racked up 64 tackles and five interceptions.
DB: Michael Igbinoghene, Hewitt-Trussville; led the Huskies with five picks.
P: RC Gartman, Homewood; averaged 32.5 yards per punt.
ATH: Drew Ollis, Hewitt-Trussville; played on the defensive line and punted for the Huskies.
ATH: Max Plaia, John Carroll; played both ways and accumulated 61 tackles.
HONORABLE MENTION
QB: Will O’Dell, Oak Mountain; Josh Thompson, Briarwood.
RB: Derick Shanks, Spain Park; Dakarai Shanks, Spain Park; Marty Myricks, Oak Mountain; Le’Kamren Meadows, Oak Mountain.
WR: Sawyer Smith, Oak Mountain; Nick Sulenski, Chelsea; Sawyer Click, Briarwood.
OL: Logan Sanders, Chelsea; Luke Kelly, Oak Mountain; Jack Chandler, John Carroll; Carter Fountain, Briarwood; Landon Page, Vestavia Hills.
DL: Ayden Moore, Hewitt-Trussville; Caleb Jaworski, Oak Mountain.
LB: Nakarius Allen, Clay-Chalkville; Rod Ivy, Clay-Chalkville; Drew Widener, Mountain Brook; Parker Floyd, Hewitt-Trussville; Adam Cornwell, Chelsea; Colton Moore, Oak Mountain; Trust Darnell, Homewood; Luke Eldridge, Homewood.
DB: Maleik Smiley, Homewood; John Griffin, Homewood; Cole Kelly, Oak Mountain; Jayden Aparicio-Bailey, Oak Mountain; Drowdy Hackbarth, Oak Mountain; Ethan Carr, Briarwood.
Starnes Media's publications cover several communities throughout the Birmingham metro area. Schools included for consideration on this team were Briarwood, Chelsea, Oak Mountain, Hoover, Spain Park, Homewood, John Carroll, Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills, Hewitt-Trussville and Clay-Chalkville. The team was selected by Starnes Media’s sports department, in collaboration with the coaches.
