TSWA 2A ALL-STATE | Edwards, Fletcher, Mustangs honored

The Texas Sports Writers Association breaks its all-state team down into classification, of course, and these teams:2A, 3A, 4A, 5A and 6A:are chosen by the members of the TSWA, the people who actually cover the high school football games across Texas week-in, and week-out. Since there is no statewide coaches all-state team, and since the TSWA members have no agenda, ETBLITZ.COM considers the TSWA all-state teams the REAL, honest-to-goodness all-state teams.

Of note: Overton’s Jayden Edwards, a junior, was named second-team wide receiver and linebacker Kash Fletcher, a senior, was also named second-team; and senior wide receiver Isaiah Hawkins, senior offensive lineman Matthew McPherson, and junior O-lineman Vance Fletcher were all named honorable mentions.

McPherson and Vance Fletcher were cornerstones of an offense that had 4,835 yards and scored 64 touchdowns. Edwards had 1,346 yards and scored 19 touchdowns on 75 catches, and also had a rushing touchdown. Hawkins had 1,068 yards and 14 touchdowns on 85 catches; Kash Fletcher had 123 total tackles (led the team), averaged 10 a game and had 19 tackles for loss, had 10 sacks, 11 hurries, and caused three fumbles.

Overton’s Mustangs benefitted from all of it: a 10-2 record in coach Scotty Laymance’s first season as head coach.

Here is the first, the Blue Bell/Texas Sports Writers Association’s Class 2A All-State Team from the 2023 season.

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

Quarterback: Terry Bussey, Timpson, 5-feet-11, 180 pounds, senior

Running backs: Ja’Deriun Bell, Mart, 5-feet-8, 190 pounds, junior; Edgar DeLuna, Sonora, 6 feet, 195, senior; Omarion Rasberry, Garrison, 5-10, 181, senior

Fullback: Kaegan Ash, Mount Enterprise, 6 feet, 195, sophomore

All-purpose player: Markeydrick Taylor, Chilton, 5-7, 155, senior

Wide receivers: Diontay Ramon, Hawley, 6 -3, 180, senior; Edward Quinonez, McCamey, 6-2, 165, junior

Tight end: Hunter Lackey, Coleman, 6-3, 190, senior

Center: Caleb Strickland, Wellington, 5-10, 205, junior; Cadynn Villarreal, Mart, 6-1, 260, junior

Tackles: Sir’Isaac Foster, Frankston, 5-11, 230, senior; Zane Waggoner, Albany, 6-2, 220, senior

Guards: Lanxton Viertel, Albany, 6-2, 225, senior; Ramon Rodriguez, Wellington, 5-8, 205, senior

Kicker: Jose Valverde, Granger, 6 feet, 175, junior

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

Linemen: Adam Hill, Albany, 6-2, 212, senior; JaCayden Adams, Timpson, 5-11, 190, senior; James Jimenez, Refugio, 6 feet, 195, senior; Tyler Lane, Timpson, 5-11, 187, senior; Gentry Caldwell, Brackettville, 6-1, 225, senior

Linebackers: Bryce Braden, Stratford, 6-3, 225, junior; Kaleb Brown, Refugio, 5-9, 180, senior; X’Zavlon Taylor, Chilton, 5-11, 180, sophomore; Jaxson Hoel, Albany, 5-10, 170, senior

Defensive backs: Reed Patterson, Collinsville, 5-10, 175, senior; Clayton Stembridge, Tolar, 5-8, 145, senior; Ernest Campbell, Refugio, 5-7, 150, senior; Cason Fairchild, Albany, 6 feet, 170, senior

Punter: Isaiah Redd, Chilton, 5-11, 210, senior

Returner: Skylar Pipkin, Lovelady, 6-3, 170, senior

Utility player: Buck Powell, Hico, 5-10, 165, junior

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Terry Bussey, QB, Timpson

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Adam Hill, DL, Albany

COACH OF THE YEAR: Kerry Therwhanger, Timpson

++++

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

Quarterback: Logan Jenkins, Collinsville, 5-11, 135, senior

Running backs: Tank Scott, Bremond, 5-8, 170, sophomore; Colby Springer, Dawson, 6 feet, 185, senior; J.J. Garner, Timpson, junior

Fullback: Jordan King, Refugio, 5-9, 205, junior

All-purpose player: A.J. Donnell, Frankston, 6-2, 175, sophomore

Wide receivers: Cason Fairchild, Albany, 6 feet, 170, senior; (tie) Derek Lancaster, Three Rivers, 6 feet, 165, senior; Jayden Edwards, Overton, 6-2, 160, junior

Tight end: Camden Ables, Hawley, 6-3, 215, freshman

Center: Colton Bosse, Chilton, 6 feet, 210, senior

Tackles: Dougie Farrell, Refugio, 5-10, 220, senior; James Wright, Centerville, 6-5, 320, senior

Guards: Cason Serna, Tioga, 5-11, 230, junior; (tie) Gavin Pollard, Garrison, 6-1, 245, junior; Albert Nunez, New Deal, 6-1, 210, junior

Kicker: Armando Chavez, Mart, 5-6, 164, senior

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

Linemen: MaClane Minor, Bremond, 6-1, 210, senior; Drew Anderle, Windthorst, 5-9, 201, senior; Asher Price, Honey Grove, 6-3, 215, junior; (tie) Karston Long, Stratford, 6-4, 265, senior; Monte Swaner, Mart, 6 feet, 275, senior

Linebackers: D.J. Cooks, Tenaha, 5-9, 170, senior; Gael Carrizales, Bremond, 5-8, 160, senior; Kash Fletcher, Overton, senior; (tie) Je’Mere Hartsfield, Marlin, 6-1, 190, senior; Drake Owens, Tolar, 6-2, 195, junior

Defensive backs: Tyler Jones, Chilton, 6-3, 180, senior; Sklar Pipkin, Lovelady, 6-3, 170, senior; Landon Durst, Panhandle, 5-10, 148, senior; Dredrick Owens, Italy, 6-1, 170, senior

Punter: Skylar Pipkin, Lovelady, 6-3, 170, senior

Returner: Garrison Nation, Tolar, 5-9, 180, senior

Utility player: Cayden Herron, Wolfe City, 5-11, 195, senior; Briley Montgomery, Garrison, 5-7, 165, senior

++++

THIRD TEAM OFFENSE

Quarterback: Keagan Ables, Hawley, 6 feet, 210, junior; Armando Lujan, Sunray, 6 feet, 180, junior

Running backs: Dha’Corian Evans, Chilton, 5-11, 170, freshman; Dayvian Skinner, Lovelady, 5-9, 205, senior; Ivan McCann, Roscoe, 5-11, 215, junior

Fullback: JD Black, Garrison, 6-3, 215, senior

All-purpose player: Julio Valdez, Stratford, 6-2, 190, junior

Wide receivers: Isaac Redd, Chilton, 6 feet, 170, senior; Amare Burton, Timpson, 5-10, 169, senior

Tight end: Ethan Nevarez, Wellington, 6-2, 205, senior

Center: Brady Davis, Beckville, 5-10, 228, senior; Weston Pavlik, Weimar, 6-1, 230, senior

Tackles: Jacob Martinez, Sonora, 6 feet, 250, senior; Levi LaGrone, Beckville, 6-2, 220, senior

Guards: Drew Anderle, Windthorst, 5-9, 201, senior; (tie) Tyler Gilchrist, Lovelady, 5-10,

Kicker: JT Reagen, Garrison, 5-9, 165, freshman

THIRD TEAM DEFENSE

Linemen: Brody Mahan, Honey Grove, 6-3, 235, junior; Landan Henry, Cayuga, 5-10, 240, senior; Layne Gisler, Falls City, 5-9, 185, senior; (tie) Dylan Holt, Ganado, 5-11, 195, senior Cam Phillips, Riesel, 6-2, 220, senior

Linebackers: Garrett Trevino, Collinsville, 5-10, 220, junior; Levi Beavers, Honey Grove, 6 feet, 220, junior; Clancy Osbourn, Mason, 5-11, 195, sophomore; Brayson Choate, Panhandle, 5-11, 175, junior

Defensive backs: Caden Gaton, Nocona, 5-8, 150, junior; Jordan Harrison, Shiner, 5-8, 140, senior; Ja’Tyrian Moore, Tenaha, 5-10, 160, senior; (tie) Carson Keller, Hico, 6-1, 180, senior; Joshua Rios, Forsan, senior

Punter: Tyler Jones, Chilton, 6-3, 180, senior

Returner: Ernest Campbell, Refugio, 5-7, 150, senior

Utility player: Logan Burles, Ganado, 5-7, 145, freshman

++++

HONORABLE MENTION OFFENSE

Quarterbacks: J’Koby Williams, Beckville, 5-9, 180, senior; Bryce Braden, Stratford, 6-3, 225, junior; Kelan Brown, Refugio, 5-11, 180, junior; Brandon Felix, La Villa, 5-9, 150, senior; Brayden Loyd, Seymour, junior; De’Montrel Medlock, Mart, 6-3, 205, junior; Broxton Robinson, Panhandle, 6-1, 185, sophomore; Caden Soliz, Three Rivers, 6 feet, 175, senior; Isaac Blessing, Tolar, 6-3, 215, senior; Bryce Ullman, Ganado, 5-9, 165, junior

Running backs: Keymd Faciane, Wink, freshman; Zane Garvin, Tahoka, 5-9, 170, senior; Xavier Jiminez, Lockney, junior; Tyson Michel, Axtell, 5-9, 165, junior; Andrew Newman, Centerville, 5-7, 175, senior; Anthony Powell, Celeste, 5-10, 210, senior

Fullbacks: Brent Bouldin, Coleman, 5-10, 180, senior; Zantayl Holley, Centerville, 5-11, 215, senior; Brenner Kurtz, Woodsboro, 6-2, 200, senior

Wide receivers: Matthew Behrens, Tolar, 6-3, 180, senior; Dawson Bennett, Sunray, 5-6, 145, junior; Landon Durst, Panhandle, 5-10, 148, senior; Hastin Easley, Dawson, 6-3, 185, senior; Isaiah Hawkins, Overton, senior; Rylan Newman, Collinsville, 5-11.5, 170, senior; Dredrick Owens, Italy, 6-1, 170, senior; Brady Woodrome, Valley Mills, 5-7, 140, senior; Seth Wilcox, Roscoe, 5-11, 165, senior

Tight ends: Wyatt Sutton, Alba-Golden junior; Lane Uttley, Stratford, 6-4, 205, senior

Centers: Erik Castillo, Lovelady, 6 feet, 270, senior; Nick Cox, Collinsville, 6 feet, 190, junior; Grayson Ellis, Wink, junior; Zach Keith, Ralls, 6-3, 220, senior; Hunter Morawietz, Falls City, 5-10, 240, junior; Elijiah Samaniego, Sonora, senior

Tackles: Kenneth Hayes, Marlin, senior; Matthew McPherson, Overton, senior; Jose Sanchez, Johnson City, junior; Jack Sinclair, Panhandle, 6-2, 208, sophomore

Guards: Keaton Crowley, Centerville, 6 feet, 275, senior; Vance Fletcher, Overton, junior; Jorge Salas, Coleman, 5-11, 215, senior; Jesse Traxler, Garrison, 5-10, 230, senior

Kickers: Jose Arzola, Holland, senior; Ravel Marquez, Wolfe City, junior; Leon Mendoza, Floydada, 5-6, 135, junior

HONORABLE MENTION DEFENSE

Linemen: Gavan Brookshire, Panhandle, 6-1, 230, sophomore; Kobe Burton, Flatonia, senior; Cutter Cain, Tolar, 6-1, 185, junior; Luis Calderon, Sunray, 6-4, 365, senior; Cash Clark, Tolar, 6 feet, 215, junior; Terrelle Easterling, Lovelady, 6 feet, 235, senior; Creed Frerich, Wink, 6 feet, 150, senior; Zantayl Holley, Centerville, 5-11, 215, senior; Zach Keith, Ralls, 6-3, 220, senior; Brysen Maxwell-Steele, Marlin, sophomore; Ethan Nevarez, Wellington, 6-2, 205, senior; Eddy Ray Mendoza, Wink, 5-8, junior; Cole Spalek, Woodsboro, 6-2, 210, junior; James Steglich, Holland, junior; Alfred Wilkerson, Cooper, 6-4, 230, senior

Linebackers: Calan Castles, Beckville, 6-3, 220,, senior; Hastin Easley, Dawson, 6-3, 185, senior Chase Edwards, Granger, 6-1, 184, senior; Jackson Jones, Wellington, 5-9, 165, junior; Slade Martin, New Deal, 6 feet, 195, senior; Pratt McLain, Gruver, 5-9, 175, senior; Hudson Morgan, Wink, 6-1, 190, junior; Christian Moy, Falls City, 5-8, 160, senior; Jaxon Riddle, Tolar, 5-10, 160, senior; Tyler Rogers, Frankston, 5-11, 190, junior; Sutten Silerio, Mason, 5-9, 175, junior; Julio Valdez, Stratford, 6-2, 190, junior; Aydan Villalba, Ralls, 5-10, 175, senior

Defensive backs: Stephen Cowan, Gruver, 6-1, 170, junior; Dylan Ford, Sonora, junior; Jordan Flores, Mabank, senior; Nixon Folk, Wellington, 6-2, 170, senior; Aiden Harris, Beckville, 5-9, 140, junior; Conlan Lemay, Frankston, 6-1, 175, senior; Cameron Lennon, Alba-Golden, junior; Zach Norrell, Weimar, 6 feet, 170, junior; Markell Smith, Cooper, 5-10, 175, senior; Ryne Todd, Mason, 5-7, 170, senior; Angel Zapata, Iraan, senior