TSWA CALLS ON KILGORE | Stoker, Nelson, Christian, Pierce all answer; Henderson’s Johnson, too

The Texas Sports Writers Association continued their week of reveals of their football all-state teams by classification, and Wednesday evening was Class 4A – that means players from Kilgore and Henderson.

Four of coach Clint Fuller’s Bulldogs and one of coach Clay Baker’s Lions were named as a part of the team: senior defensive back Zaylon Stoker was named first-team defense, and left tackle Braydon Nelson, defensive lineman Cameron Christian and linebacker Malachi Pierce, all of them seniors, as well, were named honorable mention, as was Henderson center Brock Johnson.

And as we wrote on ETBlitz.com with the releases of the 2A and 3A teams this week, the TSWA breaks its all-state teams are chosen by the sports writers who actually cover the high school football games every Friday night across Texas. It’s the next best thing to a statewide coaches all-state team, and for that reason, ETBlitz.com considers the TSWA all-state teams the real all-state teams.

Stoker, who signed with Lamar University a few weeks ago, had 106 tackles as a senior, one for loss, four interceptions, two pass break-ups, a fumble recovery and a defensive touchdown. Stoker put himself on the map in his junior year with a 10-interception, 80-tackle season in 2022.

Nelson and Christian are currently post players for Kilgore’s basketball team, and they were on the opposite sides of Bulldogs’ lines that have played excellent football. Nelson helped the Bulldogs’ O-line earn 5,372 total yards in the 2023 season, 3,086 of them on the ground, and 65 total touchdowns. Christian had 76 total tackles, 45 solo, four for loss, two sacks, a pass break-up, two blocked kicks, and three quarterback hurries.

And Pierce? He led the team in tackles (109, 48 of them solo), seven for loss, a sack, two interceptions, two pass break-ups, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, two hurries and two defensive touchdowns.

Collectively, they were coach Fuller’s first class when he arrived in Kilgore as head coach, and they have a 33-8 record. The Bulldogs reached the fourth round of the UIL Class 4A playoffs for a second straight year, and won the District 9-4A, Division I championship with an unbeaten record (6-0). The Ragin’ Red has won two district titles – without sharing them – in two of the last three seasons.

Also named honorable mention: Henderson center Brock Johnson, a 310-pound senior. The Lions went 2-8 in 2023, and are hopefully on their way up under Baker after that first year for him as head coach.

In its entirety, here is the 2023 Blue Bell/Texas Sports Writers Association All-State Football Team.

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

Quarterback: Cody Stoever, Wimberley, 5-11, 195, junior

Running backs: Rickey Stewart, Chapel Hill, 5-11, 195, junior; Will Henderson, Gilmer, 5-11, 175, senior; Da’Shawn Burton, Needville, 5-10, 175, junior

Fullback: Jayce Campos, Calhoun, 6 feet, 210, senior

Wide receivers: JC Smith, Ingleside, 6 feet, 180, senior; Josiah Groeneweg, Glen Rose, 5-7, 165, senior

Tight end: Camden Raymond, Glen Rose, 6 feet, 215, senior

Center: Diego Trevino, Alice, 6-2, 240, senior

Guards: Darius “Juice” Alexander, Lubbock Estacado, 6-2 285, senior; Spencer Murphy, Gilmer, 5-11, 315, senior

Tackles: Dyllan Drummond, Chapel Hill, 6-4, 280, senior; (tie) Caden Romo, Wimberley, 6-5, 240, senior; Casey Poe, Lindale, 6-5, 290, senior

All-purpose player: (tie) Jaylen Boardley, Pleasant Grove, 6 feet, 190, senior; Darion Perez, Beeville Jones, 5-10, 175, senior

Kicker: Brayden Pate, Gilmer, 5-8, 165, junior

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

Linemen: DJ Sanders, Bellville, 6-3, 300, junior; Carlon Jones, Bay City, 6-3, 285, senior; Kendall Allen, Chapel Hill, 6-5, 270, senior; KamRyn Brown, Gilmer, 6 feet, 223, senior

Linebackers: CJ Miller, Anna, 6 feet, 215, senior; Brandt Patek, Cuero, 6-2, 210, senior; Hudson Butchee, Stephenville, 6-1, 215, sophomore; (tie) Connor Gaines, Bellville, 5-10, 190, senior Zahir Livingston, San Antonio Davenport, 5-10, 210, senior

Secondary: Jamison Adams, Anna, 6 feet, 205, senior; Hyson Foreman, Stephenville, 6-4, 200, senior; Jarvis Solomon, Iowa Colony, 5-9, 165, junior; Zaylon Stoker, Kilgore, 6-1, 175, senior; Rob Thomas, Sinton, 6-1, 180, senior

Punter: Datri Smith, Waco Connally, 5-8, 170, junior

Utility player: (tie) Korda Moore, Sweetwater, 6-1, 209, junior; Darrick Salinas, Calhoun, 5-10, 160, junior

Kick returner: Kylevon Morrow, Kaufman, 6 feet, 180, senior

Offensive player of the year: Stoever, Wimberley

Defensive player of the year: Sanders, Bellville; Miller, Anna

Coach of the year: Seth Parr, Anna

++++

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

Quarterback: Cash McCollum, China Spring, 6-4, 215, senior; Jeff Surratt, Carthage, 6-1, 170, sophomore

Running backs: DD Murray, Bellville, 5-10, 188, junior; Nate Palmer, Decatur, 6 feet, 185, senior; Sam Hranicky, Bellville, 5-11, 185, senior

Fullback: Bobby Ross Junior, Lubbock Estacado, 6-3, 215, junior

Wide receivers: Tristian Gentry, Stephenville, 5-11, 170, junior; Lorenzo Johnson, Madisonville, senior; Clifford Douglas III, Bullard, 6 feet, 175, senior; Dre’lon Miller, Silsbee, 6-2, 190, senior

Tight end: Emmet Greiman, San Antonio Davenport, 6-1, 185, senior

Center: Cash Cooper, Cuero, 5-11, 220, junior; Will Klatt, Orange Grove, 6-3, 245, senior

Guards: Jack Bauer, Cuero, 5-10, 275, senior; Dawson Hall, West Plains, 6-1, 225, senior

Tackles: Quinten McCarty, Brownwood, 6-1, 270, senior; Lane White, Anna, 6-4, 280, senior

All-purpose: Brendan Webb, Gilmer, 5-11, 176, junior

Place-kicker: Diego Chavarria, Stephenville, 5-9, 200, senior

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

Linemen: Keltyn Raymond, Glen Rose, 5-11, 225, junior; Cory Richardson, Bellville, 5-9, 225, senior; Garry White, Silsbee, 6-1, 230, senior; (tie) Colt Hodges, Carthage, 6-3, 225, junior; Cameron Spencer, Bay City, 6-1, 205, junior

Linebackers: Daveon Ross, Chapel Hill, 6 feet, 210, senior; Sam Kallman, Brownwood, 6 feet, 200, senior; (tie) Klayton Ingram, Carthage, 5-11, 200, junior; Ty’Anthony Smith, Jasper, 6-1, 200, senior;

Secondary: Lawson Mooney, Gatesville, 5-9, 175, senior; Aidan Jakobsohn, Ingleside, 6 feet, 170, senior; Jonah Brown, Silsbee, 5-9, 180, senior; Adrian Sanchez, Glen Rose, 6 feet, 155, junior

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Secondary: Lawson Mooney, Gatesville, 5-9, 175, senior; Aidan Jakobsohn, Ingleside, 6 feet, 170, senior; Jonah Brown, Silsbee, 5-9, 180, senior; Adrian Sanchez, Glen Rose, 6 feet, 155, junior

Punter: Trevor Brooks, Chapel Hill, 5-9, 180, junior

Utility: Seth Jackson, Frisco Panther Creek, 5-9, 185, junior

Kick returner: Jadyn Forbes, Sweetwater, 6 feet, 145, senior

+++

THIRD TEAM OFFENSE

Quarterback: Demetrius Brisbon, Chapel Hill, 6-1, 180, junior; Triston Hamlin, San Antonio Davenport, 6-3, 180, senior

Running backs: Jordi Hernandez, West Plains, 5-9, 165, senior; Derek Garcia, Sinton, 5-10, 185, junior; Kiefer Sibley, Waco Connally, 5-10, 190, senior

Fullback: Tristan Garcia, Port Isabel, 5-10, 215, senior

Wide receivers: Mason Dotson, Jarrell, 5-9, 140, senior; Logan McCormick, Seminole, 5-8, 155, sophomore; Cristian Trickett, Frisco Panther Creek, 6 feet, 160, junior

Tight end: Nathan Luschen, Cuero, 6-4, 235, senior; Lance Jackson, Pleasant Grove, 6-6, 250, junior

Center: Clay Struska, Needville, 6-1, 250, junior

Guards: Caleb Hackleman, Pleasant Grove, 6-6, 275, senior; Jadyn Hernandez, Monahans, 5-9, 230, junior; Jakorey Lewis, Bellville, 6-2, 255, sophomore; Zach Bryant, Gatesville, 6-3, 300, senior;

Tackles: Kash Courtney, Carthage, 6-4, 260, junior; Austin Ellis, Bullard, 6-4, 285, senior; Julian Leyva, Fort Stockton, 6-3, 245, senior

All-purpose player: Caton Cramer, Seminole, 6-4, 190, sophomore

Kicker: Junior Martinez, Brownwood, 5-10, 185, senior

THIRD TEAM DEFENSE

Linemen: Jaylen Cottrell, Seminole, 6-3, 255, senior; Chris Gonzalez, Port Isabel, 6 feet, 215, junior; Carlton McCoy, Aubrey, 6 feet, 235, senior; Camden McKinney, Stephenville, 6-1, 230, senior

Linebackers: Cody Adkinson, Center, 6 feet, 205, sophomore; Aron Bell, Gilmer, 6 feet, 252, senior; Grayson Stewert, Anna, 6-1, 205, senior; Haydon Caston, Iowa Colony, 6-2, 185, junior; Hutson Hendrix, Boerne, 5-9, 210, junior; Crockett Henry, West Plains, 6 feet, 175, senior;

Secondary: Aryck Singletary, San Antonio Davenport, 5-8, 160, junior; Ivory Kelley, Wichita Falls, 5-7, 150, senior; Jonathan Sandoval, Pecos, 5-11, 175, senior; (tie) Raydrian Baltrip, Silsbee, 5-9, 165, senior; Gabriel Rangel, Geronimo Navarro, 5-8, 170, senior

Punter: Perry Cole, Palestine, 6-3, 265, senior; Junior Martinez, Brownwood, 5-10, 185, senior

Utility player: Brock Temple, Aubrey, 6-5, 220, junior

Kick returner: Braden Bailey, Seminole, 5-10, 170, junior

++++

HONORABLE MENTION OFFENSE

Quarterback: Jesse Cardenas, Bandera, 5-9, 165, senior; Brady Driver, Sulphur Springs, 6-1, 200, senior; Canyon Evans, Glen Rose, 6-2, 185, junior; Ike Hall, Brownwood, 6-1, 185, senior; Triston Handson, Sinton, 6-2, 200 junior; Wyatt Holmstrom, Seminole, 6 feet, 185, junior; Ahkhari Johnson, Pleasant Grove, 5-11, 186, senior; Cheno Navarrette, Monahans, 5-10, 180, senior; Ziondre Williams, Anna, 6 feet, 195, sophomore

Running backs: Trevor Allen, Spring Hill, 6 feet, 190, junior; Jada Andrews, Bay City, 5-7, 160, junior; Kyle Barton, China Spring, 5-10, 190, senior; Jaesean DeBouse, 5-9, 180, sophomore; Dash Denton, Burnet, 5-10, 185, senior; Kaden Dixon, Center, 6-1 190, senior; KJ Edwards, Carthage, 5-10, 175, sophomore; Barrett Fallon, San Antonio Davenport, 5-9, 175, sophomore; Rylan Monsey, Graham, 5-8, 158, junior; Jameer Muhammad, Fort Worth Carter Riverside, 5-10, 185, junior; Cole Pittman, Monahans, 5-7, 170, junior

Wide receivers: Noah Birdsong, Wimberley, 6-4, 210, senior; Daylon Gibbs, Cuero, 5-8, 150, senior; Andres Gutierrez, Zapata, 6-1, senior; Bradan Manning, Carthage, 6-4, 170, senior; Grayson Martin, China Spring, senior; Case Pitt, Krum, 5-10, 174, senior; Colten Schmid, La Vernia, 5-8, 150, senior; Nathan Wessels, Monahans, 6-1, 170, senior; Xylan Williams, Bay City, 5-10, 165, junior

Tight ends: Jordan Andrus, Houston Yates, 6-4, 230, junior; Mack Berry, Geronimo Navarro, 6-1, 215, senior; Colby Hesseltine, Sinton, 6-3, 230, senior; Miles Meldrum, Frisco Panther Creek, 6-1, 205, senior; Justus Petree, Canton, 6-1, 185, senior; Cade Ross, Carthage, 6 feet, 170, sophomore; Brayden Williams, Andrews, 6-1, 220, junior

Centers: Brandon Allison, Carthage, 6 feet, 305, junior; Angel De La Cruz, Raymondville, 5-10, 240, senior; Tate Gore, Andrews, 5-10, 225, senior; Brock Johnson, Henderson, 6 feet, 310, senior

Guards: Ace Bostick, Van, 6-1, 325, senior; Johnny Lewis, Carthage, 5-10, 320, senior; Ricky Martinez, Calhoun, 5-11, 235, junior; Steven Martinez, Port Isabel, 6 feet, 230, junior; Brian Peters, Seminole, 6-3, 275, senior; Sebastian Rodriguez, Aubrey, senior; Davin Zurovetz, Lago Vista, 6 feet, 305, senior

Tackles: Brady Buchanan, Calallen, 6-5, 300, junior; James Dorotik, El Campo, 6-1, 205, junior; Tate Gustavus, Needville, 6-1, 245, senior; Nathan Marquez, Monahans, 6-1, 240, junior; Braydon Nelson, Kilgore, 6-3, 275, senior; Logan Schram, Boerne, 6-6, 295, junior; Jayden Simmons, Iowa Colony, 6-4, 305, junior; Seth Wallace, Gilmer, 6-2, 290, senior; Tyler Weeks, Celina, 6-4, 275, senior

Kickers: Rowin Donaldson, Seminole, 5-11, 180, junior; Joseph Estrada, West Plains, 6-2, 180, senior; Fernando Grajales, Bellville, 5-10, 220, senior; Carlos Hernandez, Center, senior; Landen Longoria, Sinton, 5-6, 140, senior; Greg McDonnell, Decatur, 5-10, 136, senior

HONORABLE MENTION DEFENSE

Linemen: Tuff Arozamena, Van, 5-10, 210, senior; Braden Bays, Boerne, 6-3, 250, junior; Alyric Brown, Sunnyvale, 5-10, 265, senior; Cameron Christian, Kilgore, 6-1, 285, sophomore; Kolton Dearth, Stephenville, 6-1, 270, sophomore; Colby Hesseltine, Sinton, 6-3, 230, senior; Jaden Hubble, Orange Grove, 6-3, 210, senior; Chris Johnson, Iowa Colony, 6-3, 240, junior; Quinten McCarty, Brownwood, 6-1, 270, senior; Issac Perez, Waco Connally, 6 feet, 255, senior; Ridge Westendorf, Springtown, 6 feet, 260, senior; Jaymon Wheeler, Pleasant Grove, 6-2, 215, senior

Linebackers: Seth Barnes, Orange Grove, 6 feet, 230, senior; Drew Brasher, Wimberley, 5-11, 190, senior; Hunter Brewster, Needville, 6 feet, 220, senior; Charles Christopher, Sunnyvale, 6-3, 200, senior; Tristan Garcia, Port Isabel, 5-10, 215, senior; Abram Greer, Anna, 5-11, 215, senior; Kei’Sean Harris, Lubbock Estacado, 6 feet, 210, junior; Jude Hernandez, Calallen, 6 feet, 210, junior; Coltyn Judd, Calhoun, 5-9, 205 junior; Kaden McFadden, Pleasant Grove, 6 feet, 188, senior; Aidan Moody, Sinton, 6 feet, 200, senior; James Morrow, Carthage, 5-11, 300, junior; A.J. Navarrette, Monahans, 5-9, 180, junior; Malachi Pierce, Kilgore, 5-8, 180, senior; Kaiden Shoemake, Brazosport,6-1, 205, senior; Randall Szostek, Aubrey, 6 feet, 195, senior; Ty Thames, Wimberley, 6-3, 190, junior; Wyatt Vinzant, Decatur, 6-1, 230, senior

Secondary: Kobe Black, Waco Connally, 6-1, 200, senior; Tyler Brown, Aubrey, 6 feet, 175, junior; Cade Christensen, Van, 5-9, 175, junior; Mack Curtis, Bay City, 5-9, 164, junior; Jeremiah Garza, Tuloso-Midway, senior; Antwan Gilbreath, Decatur, 6 feet, 177, senior; Slevin Gutierrez, Raymondville, 5-11, 145, junior; Kyan McAtee, Wimberley, 6 feet, 175, senior; Darion Perez, Beeville Jones, 5-10, 175, senior; Zathin Reyes, Graham, 5-11, 160, senior; Donivan Torrez, Lubbock Estacado, 5-9, 185, sophomore; Donovan Webb, Frisco Panther Creek, 6 feet, 175, sophomore