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Alabama Sportswriters recognized three local players for their outstanding achievements during round two of the Alabama High School Athletic Association football playoffs. One of them took home the top honor handed out by the ASWA. 

Piedmont’s Jamaal Johnson was a nominee for the Defensive Player of the Week, after compiling an on-field resume against the Cordova Blue Devils that included 14 tackles, a fumble recovery and an interception. Johnson also scored three touchdowns against the Blue Devils.  

Of the 42 outstanding nominees from across the state, Johnson was chosen as the top Defensive Player of the Week.  

The versatile Johnson has had four interceptions this season to complement his team-high 86 tackles. On the offensive side of the ball, Johnson is credited for 286 yards receiving, 404 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. 

Other local players receiving recognition were Alonzo Harris of Gadsden City and Tyric Scales of Cedar Bluff. 

The highly-recruited Harris was an offensive nominee, rushing 28 times for 210 yards. He also scored two touchdowns in the Titans’ 23-21 win over Oxford. Gadsden City moves on to a quarterfinal match up with Mountain Brook Friday night.   

Scales received an offensive nomination after catching nine passes for 167 yards and four touchdowns in the Tigers' 36-29 loss to R.A. Hubbard.  The 6-foot-2 senior finished the year with nearly 700 receiving yards.