Marcus Reese was an honorable mention selection at defensive back in 2009.  This year the versatile Reese was elevated to the first team of 1A All Stars by the Alabama Sports Writers Association.  Despite the fact that most teams stayed away from throwing in Reese’s direction the agile DB was still able to pick off seven passes in 2010. Tiger fans enjoyed some of Reese’s best work against Hackleburg, when he intercepted heralded QB Ryan Bullock two times and Cedar Bluff advanced to the quarterfinals of the 1A playoffs. 

Just across the Cherokee County line Collinsville added a 1A first team selection in defensive tackle Ryan Chamblee.  Chamblee was recently chosen as the 1A Lineman of the Year.  The Panther senior was also a first team all state selection as a junior.  Chamblee had 84 tackles including 68 solo stops.  Eight tackles were for losses and he had four sacks to go along with six hurries. 

Also across the Cherokee County line Piedmont had one offensive and three defensive starters selected to the 3A first team. 

Noah Willis quickly became one of Piedmont QB Chris Strott’s go-to receivers.  Blessed with size, speed and exceptional hands the Bulldog receiver caught 52 passes for 860 yards and six touchdowns.  Willis also provided another level of deception to Coach Smith’s battle plan and allowed maximum production from other Bulldog teammates. 

Defensively, the Bulldogs placed two seniors and a sophomore on the 3A dream team.  Seniors Jamaal Johnson and Mickey Jackson return as all-state starters.  Jamie Major gets the first team nod at linebacker in his sophomore year. 

Johnson was named as a defensive back.  However, the talented senior could line up anywhere on the field and disrupt an offensive strategy from any angle of attack.  He finished the season with 97 total tackles and five interceptions. 

Mickey Jackson’s presence on the defensive interior served as a deterrent to teams wanting to run between the tackles. Jackson fought through multiple blocks and used his deceptive quickness to record 12 quarterback sacks.  Jackson is credited with 77 total tackles including 17 for loss.

As a linebacker Major topped the Bulldogs with 104 tackles.  Major was also able to get to the QB for 11 sacks.   Bulldog opponents with be seeing much more of the hustling Major over the next two years.

Also across the Cherokee County line Gaston’s senior Collin Jarbo was named to the first team for the third year in a row.  On a Bulldog team that struggled offensively in 2010 Jarbo proved to be a reliable resource hauling in 36 passes for 894 yards and seven touchdowns.  The adaptable Jarbo was also called upon for duty at wide receiver and running back. Jarbo rarely saw single coverage throughout the season. 

There were also a number of Cherokee County and other local athletes that turned in outstanding efforts that were recognized by the ASWA as Honorable Mentions selections.

2010 Honorable Mention All State:

Kenny Akin, 4A Cherokee Co., Sr., 5’10”, 170, DB
Hudson Grimes, 4A Cherokee Co., Sr., 6’2”, 265, DL

Warren Alexander, 3A Piedmont, Sr., 5’10”, 255, OL

Levi Mintz, 1A, Cedar Bluff, So., 6’2”, 180, QB

Tyric Scales, 1A, Cedar Bluff, Sr., 6’2”, 185, WR
DeAngelo Hardy, 1A, Cedar Bluff, So., 6’3”, 190, TE

Levi Morgan, 1A, Gaylesville, Jr, 5’10”, 150, DE

Kyle Beck, 1A, Cedar Bluff, Sr., 5’11”, 160, LB

Quintin Coker, 1A, Collinsville, Sr., 5’9” 205, DL

Michael Zuber, 1A,Gaylesville, Sr., 5’10”, 196, DL

 Paul Van Pelt, 1A, Gaylesville, Sr., 6’0”, 160, P

Additionally, Fort Payne and Gadsden City had several standouts tabbed to the elite list.  They include:

6A Alonzo Harris, Gadsden City, Sr., 6-2, 195, First Team Offense, RB

6A Terrick Wright, Gadsden City, Sr., Honorable Mention, Linebacker

5A Seth Dodd, Fort Payne, Sr., 6-0, 205, First Team, Defense, Linebacker

5A Kyle Crabtree, Fort Payne, Sr., 5-9, 150, First Team, Defense, Athlete

5A Logan McPherson, Fort Payne, So., Honorable Mention, Place Kicker

Here are the complete listings along with the Super 12.

ASWA SUPER 12
Kyle Caldwell, Dadeville, QB, Sr.
Brent Calloway, Russellville, RB, Sr.
Sammie Coates, Leroy, WR, Sr.
Reese Dismukes, Spanish Fort, OL, Sr.
Kendarius Fritts , Linden, RB, Sr.
Jamal Golden, Wetumpka, QB, Sr.
Mark Lear, Clarke Prep, RB, Sr.
Jonathan Rose, Leeds, DB, Sr.
Vinnie Sunseri, Northridge, LB, Sr.
Diaheem Watkins, Bibb County, DL, Sr.
Jameis Winston, Hueytown, QB, Jr.
Danny Woodson, LeFlore, WR, Sr.

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