Locals earn all-state honors

SM-Tn Sports

Independence, Columbia Central and the reigning state champion Summit Spartans are each represented on the Class 6A and Class 5A all-state football teams announced recently by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association.

Jaxson Campbell, an all-state selection at defensive back as a junior in 2019, is one of two Class 6A honorees at quarterback (along with fellow Williamson Countian and Region 6-6A competitor Cade Granzow of Brentwood) after throwing and running for 2,697 offensive yards and 34 total touchdowns in 10 games. A recent signee with the U.S. Naval Academy, Campbell helped the Eagles into the second round of the Class 6A state playoffs, finishing 7-3.

Carter Szydlowski earned 5A all-state honors at offensive line after anchoring the Lions in the trenches on both sides of the ball this fall. The senior’s efforts helped Central produce a 1,400-yard passer, a 600-yard receiver and a 500-yard rusher as the team advanced to the second round of the playoffs – claiming the program’s first postseason victory since 2012 — and finished 6-6.

Destin Wade, a Class 5A Mr. Football finalist, and offensive lineman Cooper Koch each drew all-state recognition for Summit.

Koch, a junior, was the top performer up front for a Spartan offense that averaged 394 yards over 11 on-field contests. Summit rushed for 2,893 yards (6.9/carry) and 30 touchdowns, threw for 1,441 yards and 19 TDs and finished 13-2, capping its second straight BlueCross Bowl appearance with a 28-7 win over Oak Ridge.

Wade, selected as the championship game’s most valuable player, completed the season with 1,507 rushing yards with 18 touchdowns and 1,405 passing yards with 19 scores – including 234 offensive yards and three TDs in the finals.

Region 6-6A dominated the Class 6A selections, with five offensive picks (receivers Jake Briningstool of Ravenwood and Walker Merrill of Brentwood, lineman Fisher Anderson of Franklin) and three on defense (Ravenwood linebacker Junior Colson, Brentwood linebacker Spencer Rich and defensive back John Howse).

The complete Class 6A and Class 5A teams are listed below. Class 4A and 3A will be available on Tuesday, followed by Class 2A and Class 1A on Wednesday and Division II-A, II-AA and II-AAA on Thursday.

CLASS 6A OFFENSE

QB – Jaxson Campbell, Independence, Sr.; Cade Granzow, Brentwood, Sr.; RB – Robert Giaimo, Bartlett, Sr.; Jalen Hunt, McMinn Co., Sr.*; Jordan James, Oakland, Jr.; WR – Jake Briningstool, Ravenwood, Sr.*; Isaiah Horton, Oakland, Jr.; Walker Merrill, Brentwood, Sr.; L – Fisher Anderson, Franklin, Jr.; Zach Ferguson, Kingsport Dobyns-Bennett, Sr.; Bryce Goodner, Sr., McMinn Co.; Graham Keating, Oakland, Sr.; Harrison Wilkes, Germantown Houston, Sr.; ATH – Ray Banner, LaVergne, Sr.; K – Upton Bellenfant, Stewarts Creek, Jr.

CLASS 6A DEFENSE

DL — Lou Burchfield, Maryville, Sr.; Ethan Hassler, Collierville, Sr.; Jackson Martin, Kingsport Dobyns-Bennett, Sr.; Javon Nelson, Riverdale, Sr.; LB – Junior Colson, Ravenwood, Sr.; Spencer Rich, Brentwood, Sr.; Brent Rowe, Hendersonville, Sr.; DB – Javon Burke, Bradley Central, Sr.; D.J. Burks, Maryville, Jr.; Ellis Ellis, Hendersonville, Sr.; John Howse, Brentwood, Sr.; ATH – C.J. Taylor, Warren Co., Sr.*; P – Trey Turk, Oakland, Sr.

CLASS 5A OFFENSE

QB – Tucker Pope, Walker Valley, Sr.; Destin Wade, Summit, Jr.*; RB – De’Sean Bishop, Knoxville Karns, So.; Shawn Gary, South-Doyle, Jr.; Jermarcus Johnson, Henry Co., Sr.; WR – Liam Fortner, Knoxville Central, Sr.; Micah Simpson, Morristown East, Jr.; Brody Swafford, Walker Valley, Sr.; OL – Brady Cash, Knoxville Central, Jr.; Brycen Hodges, Powell, Sr.; David Hull, South-Doyle, Sr.; Cooper Koch, Summit, Jr.; Carter Szydlowski, Columbia Central, Sr.; ATH – Jason Foust, Powell, So.; K – Ewan Johnson, South-Doyle, Sr.

CLASS 5A DEFENSE

DL – Jaxon Adams, Oak Ridge, Sr.; Andrew Gilbert, Knoxville West, Sr.; Levi Herald, South-Doyle, Sr.; Rhett Stottlemire, Soddy Daisy, Sr.; LB – Eli Denton, Walker Valley, Sr.; Drew Fisher, Rhea Co., Sr.; Kalib Fortner, Knoxville Central, Sr.*; Ethan Scott, Knoxville West, Sr.; DB – Prince Kollie, David Crockett, Sr.*; Jawan Odoms, Henry Co., Sr.; Preston Sisler, South-Doyle, Sr.; Preston Turner, Oak Ridge, Sr.; ATH – Shannon Blair, Knoxville West, Jr.; P – Ryan Bolton, Knoxville Central, Jr.

*Mr. Football finalist, automatic all-state selection

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