Defense
Defensive Line
Ivan Arroyo (Sr., Burke Co.)
99 solo tackles, 10 sacks, 9 forced fumbles, 15 tackles for loss on the season. Dominant force for a 9-3 Burke Co. squad. Selected for Border Bowl IV.
Vandre Thomas (Sr., Harlem)
Despite facing a lot of double teams, Thomas managed to get 121 total tackles including 64 solo stops. He also had 11 tackles for loss and was First Team All 4-AAA.
Jaden McLeod (Sr., Silver Bluff)
Racked up an amazing 33 tackles for loss. He had 65 tackles total, 8 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles. Relentlessly went after the ball on every single play. Border Bowl IV Selection.
Kindarius Green (Sr., Thomson)
Green moved to DE full-time this season and it paid major dividends for the Bulldogs. He had 10.5 sacks, 18.5 tackles for loss, 24 QB hurries, 5 forced fumbles 2 Fumble Recoveries and added 4 rushing TDs on Offense.
Colton Smith (Jr., Washington Co.)
Motor that does not stop. 6’2” 225 lbs. Benches 340 lb., squats 445 lb. and power-cleans 310 lb., and manages a 3.9 GPA in the classroom. Finished the season with 17 sacks, 61 tackles and 3 strip sacks.
Westside’s defensive line
I have never done this before, but their entire group deserved recognition.
The line was made up of Tim Hill, Rakeem Blount, Charles Phillips, Charles Dawson and Marcel Wood. This group was amazing this season and flat out made life miserable for opposing offenses.
Honorable Mention, Defensive Line
Wes Michaelson (Augusta Christian), Jerome Simmons (Bamberg-Ehrhardt), Kalon Curry (Laney), Amais Parker (McCormick), Chase Tillman (North Augusta), Kenvonte Brinkley (Warren Co.)
Linebackers
Quinshawn Hearst (Jr., Thomson)
Hearst is an absolute beast. He racked up 97 tackles in just 8 games for the Bulldogs. He also caused 3 fumbles and picked off 3 passes, including a pick in the end zone to seal a win over Burke Co.
Jo’Vares Harden (Sr., Wash-Wilkes)
Harden had 125 tackles, including 87 solo stops. He also caused 2 fumbles, recovered 2 fumbles and broke up 3 passes.
Demaurion Ginn (Sr., South Aiken)
North/South All-Star and Border Bowl Selection. Had 99 tackles, 69 solo tackles, 3 interceptions, 15 tackles for loss and 4 TDs. Named 1st Team All-State.
Clark Jackson (Soph., Aquinas)
Luke Kuechly junior… Piled up an area best 158 tackles with 90 solo stops. He also managed 17 sacks and 19 tackles for loss. He is also a terrific kicker for the Irish.
Quincy Bias (Sr., Bamberg-Erhardt)
Bias had 114 tackles, 18 sacks and 21 tackles for loss. He also forced 5 fumbles and had 4 fumble recoveries. He is a top tier athlete that has grabbed the attention of several colleges.
Honorable Mention, Linebackers
Nick Jordan (Jefferson Co.), Jonah O’Neill (Aquinas), T.J. Williams (Denmark-Olar), Ryan Allen (Hephzibah), Trey Huff (Lincoln Co.), CJ Zellars (Lincoln Co.), Jaquez Ryans (North Augusta), Devron Williams (Strom Thurmond)
Defensive Backs
Kaleb Hutchinson (Sr., Westside)
Coastal Carolina signee… and they got a steal. Hutchinson has a nose for the ball and plays with a reckless abandon. Finished the season with 70 tackles, 6 interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown in the playoffs. 1st Team All-Region and All-State.
Ty Adams (RS, Monetta)
Adams finished the season with 6 interceptions and 60 tackles. Was named 1st Team All-State and 1st Team All-Region.
KD Dorsey (Jr., Evans)
Dorsey has several D-I offers and showed why this season for the Knights. He was all over the field for Evans and used his 6’2” 190 lb. frame to be a key player on both sides of the ball. Helped lead Evans to a Region Title and 9-3 record.
Rashad Myers (Warren Co.)
He rushed for over 1,000 yards but had an even bigger impact on Defense with 40 tackles and a Region Best 7 interceptions. Helped Warren Co. to a 9-win season and deep playoff run.
Honorable Mention, Defensive Backs
Malachi Gordon (Aquinas), BuddyRow Garrer (Aquinas), Terrin Mays (Fox Creek), Marcus Washington Jr. (Grovetown), Franklin Brown (Lincoln co.), Amir Young (North Augusta), Taylon Washington (North Augusta)
Punters
Brett Sterner (Sr., Harlem)
Averaged 43.5 yards per punt. Region 4-AAA Special Teams Player of the Year.
Honorable Mention, Punters
D.J. Simmons (Aiken), Marquis Whigham (Jefferson Co.),
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The Augusta Press 2021 All-Area Football Team
Coach of the Year Finalists:
Sid Fritts (Wash-Wilkes), Lee Hutto (Westside), Barrett Davis (Evans), Michael Youngblood (Thomson), Eric Parker (Burke Co.), Steven Simpson (Warren Co.)
Coach of the Year:
DeAngelo Bryant (Silver Bluff)
Private School Player of the Year:
Zack Blackwell (Sr., Augusta Christian)
South Carolina Player of the Year:
TraeVon Dunbar (Soph., Silver Bluff)
Georgia Player of the Year:
Kaleb Hutchinson (Sr., Westside)
The Augusta Press Player of the Year
Dalen Cobb (Sr. Wash-Wilkes)
Ashley Brown covers sports for The Augusta Press. Reach him at Ashley.brown@theaugustapress.com
