East Hamilton gets five on Class 4A all-state team

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Class 3ACoach of the Year: Rusty Bradley (Christian Academy of Knoxville)OffenseQB -- Charlie High (Christian Academy of Knoxville), Albert Mitchell (Christ Presbyterian Academy); RB -- Ethan Thomas (Elizabethton), Corey Rathbone (Christian Academy of Knoxville), Zach Miller (Polk County); WR -- Josh Smith (Christian Academy of Knoxville), Davis Howell (Christian Academy of Knoxville), Thomas Richard (Christ Presbyterian Academy); ATH -- Deondre Moore (Fairview), Bryce Malone (Chuckey-Doak); OL -- David Powell (Tyner), Thomas Loy (Alcoa), Dalton Ownby (Alcoa), Brett Kendrick (Christian Academy of Knoxville), William Gass (Christian Academy of Knoxville), Paul Adams (Christ Presbyterian Academy), Darius Hooten (Pearl-Cohn), K -- Caleb Appleton (Milan).DefenseDL -- Brady Bose (Cheatham County), James Elliott (Christ Presbyterian Academy), Brandon Walters (Howard), Braylon Young (Alcoa), Trevor Milan (Milan), Jaylynn Kesterson (West Greene), Alec North (Christian Academy of Knoxville); LB -- Arkel Coleman (Milan), Camden Winzenburg (Christian Academy of Knoxville), Ezekiel Koko (Alcoa), JaRod Crenshawk (Alcoa), Dederick Guy (Fairley), Mustafa Anthony (Alcoa); DB -- Landon Turbyfill (Alcoa), Octavious Cook (Milan), Chase Smith (Christ Presbyterian Academy), Terrance Turner (Elizabethton); P -- Brett Hopper (Milan).Class 4ACoach of the Year: Rob Black (Fulton)OffenseQB -- Al Cobb (Giles County), Reese Phillips (Signal Mountain); RB -- Daryl Rollins (Fulton), Logan Jackson (East Hamilton), Johnston White (Covington); WR -- Kenton Baker (Giles County), Dejuan McQuarters (Mitchell), Will Molander (DeKalb County); Ath -- Brock McCoin (Livingston Academy), Jay Cade (Gibbs), Allante Novene (Hixson), Xavier Hawkins (Fulton); OL -- Fielder Dennis (East Hamilton), Akeem Cooperwood (Fulton), Michael Scates (Fulton), Dylan Gibson (Giles County), Zack Escue (White House); K -- Cameron Carter (East Hamilton).DefenseDL -- Joe Robertson (Page), Michael Cain (Whites Creek), Francisco Rodriguez (East Hamilton), Damario Lewis (Maplewood), Dean Taylor (Fulton); LB -- Shawn Sullivan (Fulton), Austin Gatewood (East Hamilton), Ronald Wilbert (Maplewood), Tyrus Rollins (Greeneville), Octavion Cooper (Liberty), Brandon Houston (Giles County); DB -- Chris Few (Giles County), Carlos Williams (Covington), Cortez Adams (Maplewood), Donatarius Gilbert (Giles County), Mark Winningham (Livingston Academy), Antonio Gilliam (Mitchell); P -- Courtland Daws (Lipscomb).

The best season in the fledgling program's history has been capped by East Hamilton placing five players on the Tennessee Sports Writers Association's Class 4A all-state team. Hurricanes running back Logan Jackson, offensive ilneman Fielder Dennis, defensive lineman Francisco Rodriguez, linebacker Austin Gatewood and kicker Cameron Carter all earned all--state honors.

Joining the five Hurricanes players are Signal Mountain quarterback Reese Phillips and Hixson athlete Allante Novene, while three local players -- Howard defensive lineman Brandon Walters, Tyner offensive lineman David Powell and Polk County running back Zach Miller -- made the 3A team.

"That blows my mind," said Hurricanes coach Ted Gatewood, whose program just completed its fourth year, having claimed consecutive district titles. "To have more all-state players than we've had years as a program, wow. That's the best Christmas our program could ask for. That means so much to our program and those kids.

"It's a testament to the kids who came here and started building this program."

Jackson ran for 1,700 yards and 23 touchdowns to help East Hamilton defend its District 6-AA championship before a torn ACL ended his season as the playoffs began. Much of that rushing total came by running behind Dennis, while Rodriguez had 15.5 tackles for loss and Gatewood 13.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks to lead one of the area's top defensive units.

Phillips, a University of Kentucky commitment, threw for 2,300 yards and 15 touchdowns to help the Eagles return to the playoffs, while Novene had more than 800 receiving yards and 8 TDs to help Hixson finish second in the district.

Walters, a Mr. Football finalist, led the area with 27 tackles for loss and also had 98 total tackles and 11.5 sacks. Powell, a three-year starter, helped the Rams rush for more than 3,000 yards and Miller, a junior, led the area with 2,000-plus yards and 23 TDs.

"As good of a player as he is, he's an even better kid," Polk County coach Derrick Davis said. "He's a very deserving player to make all state and the best thing about him for us is that he's back next year."

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