Messenger file photo by Chris McCarthy
By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor
The Coosa Christian football team accomplished a whole of “firsts” this past season, including the program’s first winning record if four years first playoff berth in four seasons, a first-ever AHSAA playoff victory and a first-ever berth in the state semifinals.
Toward that end, the Conquerors are well-represented on the 2022 All-Messenger football team.
Besides having 10 players named to the first and second teams, Coosa took home three of the top five awards in Player of the Year Jy Mostella, Defensive MVP Clete O’Bryant and head coach Mark O’Bryant.
A senior halfback, Mostella (pictured above at center) spearheaded the Conqueror offense with 2,174 yards and 30 touchdowns on 262 carries. A sophomore linebacker, O’Bryant finished with a team-high 147 tackles along with three sacks and three interceptions. Mark O’Bryant guided the Conquerors to a 7-5 record that included seven straight wins following a 2-4 start.
Etowah senior quarterback Trace Thompson was selected the team’s Offensive MVP after finishing with 3,278 combined yards and 41 touchdowns. He was 234 of 406 in passing for 2,584 yards and 35 TDs and rushed for 694 yards and six scores.
Ashville senior Greyson Simpson took home the Athlete of the Year honors. A three-way starter at kicker, punter and safety for the Bulldogs, Simpson was 6-for-9 in field goals with a long of 48 yards and was 16-for-18 on extra points. He averaged 40 yards per punt and had 72 tackles, two interceptions and three pass break-ups.
Player of the Year: Jy Mostella, Coosa Christian
Offensive MVP: Trace Thompson, Etowah
Defensive MVP: Clete O’Bryant, Coosa Christian
Coach of the Year: Mark O’Bryant, Coosa Christian
First team offense
Quarterback: Gauge NeSmith, junior, Southside
Running back: Mason Teague, junior, Southside; Kobe Harris, senior, Gaston
Tight End: Jacoby Tucker, senior, Coosa Christian
Receiver: Omareon Finch, senior, Etowah; Clyde Curry, senior, Gadsden City; Cody Roberts, senior, Southside; Hugh Windle, senior, Westbrook
Line: Aaron Wood, senior, Gadsden City; Nemo Samples, sophomore, Gaston; Matthew Wright, senior, Coosa Christian; Jacob Strunk, senior, Southside; Braylen Mostella, junior, Etowah
Kicker: Jadan Burns, junior, Coosa Christian
Athlete: Nolan Fairley, senior, Glencoe
First team defense
Line: Drake Albury, senior, Coosa Christian; Jackson Veasy, senior, Gadsden City; Jesi Andres, senior, Westbrook; J’Shun Patrick, senior, Etowah
Linebacker: Tytan Rich, junior, Southside; Caleb Freeman, senior, Etowah; Josh Carroll, junior, West End
Secondary: DeAndre Kirkpatrick, junior, Gadsden City; Jaxon Hamby, freshman, West End; Thad Pearce, senior, West End; Andrew Pierce, senior, Etowah
Punter: Gabriel Brito, junior, Gadsden City
Second team offense
Quarterback: John David Justus, sophomore, Coosa Christian
Running back: Josh Hester, junior, Gaston; Noah Sprayberry, senior, Hokes Bluff
Receiver: Scotty Motes, junior, Southside; Eli Motes, sophomore, Coosa Christian; Khalil Hughley, senior, Gadsden City;
Tight end: Garrett Gaskin, senior, Glencoe
Line: Dakota Holcomb, senior, Hokes Bluff; Mark Fuller, senior, Southside; Aidan Hull, senior, Westbrook; Dylan Reed, senior, Coosa Christian; Layden Olson, senior, Ashville
Kicker: Gavin Bray, senior, Glencoe
Athlete: Blaze Gerhart, junior, Sardis
Second team defense
Line: Jeremiah Smith, senior, West End; Elijah Taylor, senior, Gadsden City; Brant Stringer, senior, Etowah; Tho-mas Skaggs, senior, Coosa Christian
Linebacker: C.J. Townsel, senior, Westbrook; Evan Stancil, senior, West End; Dalton McGraw, senior, Coosa Christian
Secondary: Anderson Morgan, sophomore, Hokes Bluff; Koal Garrett, sophomore, Southside; Drake Dupree, senior, Coosa Christian; Cooper Horton, sophomore, Glencoe
Punter: Brylon Pilkington, senior, Hokes Bluff
Honorable mention
Quarterback: Mason Coley, senior, Westbrook; Conner Masters, senior, Hokes Bluff; Matthew Sparks, sophomore, Gadsden City
Running back: Rock Sainsbury, junior, West End; Karmichael Cattling, senior, Westbrook; Aaron Mann, sophomore, Glencoe
Receiver: Cole Stone, senior, Hokes Bluff; Jordan Bryan, sophomore, Southside; Garrett Burns, senior, Sardis
Tight. End: Eli Morton, junior, Sardis
Offensive line: Dorian Patterson, senior, Gadsden City; Kyle Fitts, junior, Gaston; Gage Garner, junior, Sardis; Taylor Wescott, senior, Glencoe; Luke Hollingsworth, junior, Gaston
Athlete: Travis Smith, senior, Ashville
Defensive line: Colton Peterson, senior, Etowah; Trevor Horsley, senior, Ashville; D.J. Mackey, sophomore, Coosa Christian; Dakota McKay, senior, West End
Linebacker: Brayden Bow, senior, Southside; K’Rysiak Yow, senior, Gadsden City; Kaleb Coshatt, senior, Hokes Bluff
Secondary: Grayson Malone, freshman, Coosa Christian; Steven Jones, senior, Gadsden City; Josh Graham, senior, Etowah; Braylen Starkes, senior, Gadsden City