by Sam McGaw
Home Page Media Group sports editor Sam McGaw has released his 2016 Home Page Preseason All-Area Football Team.
The team is made up of players from schools inside of Home Page Media Group’s coverage area. These programs include public and private schools in Williamson County, as well as Christ Presbyterian Academy, Franklin Road Academy and Spring Hill High School.
2016 Home Page Preseason All-Area team
FIRST-TEAM OFFENSE
Quarterback: Jeremiah Oatsvall (Sr.), Brentwood Academy
Led BA to a Division II-AA state title last fall. Finished with 1,991 passing yards, 1,164 rushing yards, 30 touchdowns (14 rush) and eight interceptions.
Running Back: Dontae Smith (Jr.), Spring Hill
Rushed for 1,122 yards and 12 touchdowns on 105 carries for the 3-7 Raiders last season. He also had two receiving touchdowns.
Running Back: Troy Henderson (Jr.), Independence
Rushed for 934 yards and seven touchdowns as a sophomore at duPont Manual High School in Kentucky last season.
Wide Receiver: Camron Johnson (Jr.), Brentwood Academy
Recorded 47 catches for 982 yards and eight touchdowns last season. He also returned two kickoffs for scores. He also registered 34 tackles, three interceptions and one touchdown at safety. The two-time all-state selection has scholarship offers from Tennessee, LSU, Louisville, Ole Miss, Auburn, Illinois and Vanderbilt
Wide Receiver: Kendrell Scurry (Soph.), Independence
Committed to Tennessee.
Wide Receiver: Devious Christmon (Sr.), Centennial
The 6-foot-3, 176-pound target caught 32 passes for 544 yards and three touchdowns last season. He also tied for a team-high five interceptions at cornerback.
Athlete: Landon Guidry (Sr.), Independence
Committed to Mississippi State as a safety. Racked up 80 tackles, three fumble recoveries, one interception, one forced fumble and one sack a year ago. Will also play a major role on offense for the Eagles.
Offensive Lineman: Max Wray (Jr.), Franklin
Two-year starter at tackle. Stands at 6-foot-6, 275 lbs. Georgia commit.
Offensive Lineman: Patrick Leitten (Sr.), Ravenwood
Two-year starter at tackle. Stands at 6-foot-7, 250 lbs. Duke commit.
Offensive Lineman: Eli Katina (Sr.), Centennial
Three-year starter at guard. All-state selection and Region 7-5A Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2015. Stands at 6-foot-2, 271 lbs.
Offensive Lineman: Caden Williams (Sr.), Franklin
Two-year starter at tackle. Measured at 6-foot-5, 270 lbs. All-Region 3-Class 6A last season. Offers from Western Kentucky, Air Force, Army and others.
Offensive Lineman: Connor Dodson (Sr.), Ravenwood
Returning starter at offensive tackle. Stands at 6-foot-2, 250 lbs.
Kicker: Brent Cimaglia (Sr.), Page
Tennessee commit. Rated the No. 6 kicker in the nation by ChrisSailerKicking.com.
Punter: Tucker Day (Sr.), Brentwood
U.S. Army All-American Bowl selection. Rated the No. 1 punter in the nation by ChrisSailerKicking.com. Averaged 40.94 yards per punt last season, with 12 of his 35 punts landing inside the 20-yard line. Was also 14 of 21 on field goals, with a long of 51 yards.
FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE
Defensive Lineman: David Demke (Sr.), Independence
Recorded 75 tackles, 10 sacks, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries a year ago.
Defensive Lineman: Conner Palk (Sr.), Franklin
Three-year starter. All-region selection in 2015. Registered 56 tackles (20.5 for loss), four sacks, four fumble recoveries, one interception and one forced fumble at defensive end last season.
Defensive Lineman: Josh Higgs (Sr.), Brentwood Academy
All-region selection in 2015. Recorded 59 tackles (16 for loss), 4.5 sacks and one fumble recovery.
Defensive Lineman: Tahj Williams (Sr.), Ravenwood
Had 67 tackles, two sacks, two fumble recoveries and one interception last season.
Linebacker: Mitch Rossi (Sr.), Franklin
Accumulated 82 tackles (10.5 for loss), three fumble recoveries, two sacks, one interception and one forced fumble last season. All-region selection in 2015.
Linebacker: Hunter Dupree (Sr.), Independence
Recorded 118 tackles, five interceptions, four fumble recoveries and one forced fumble last year.
Linebacker: Jackson Sirmon (Jr.), Brentwood Academy
Registered 59 tackles and 10 sacks at Loyola High School in Los Angeles last fall. The outside backer is fielding offers from Vanderbilt, Washington and Wisconsin.
Cornerback: Montray Steele (Sr.), Independence
Recorded 25 tackles and two interceptions last season.
Cornerback: Adonis Otey (Soph.), Franklin Road Academy
Transfer from Blackman High School. Fielding offers from Kentucky, LSU, Tennessee and Vanderbilt.
Safety: Evan Beddoe (Sr.), Brentwood Academy
All-state selection last season. Recorded 56 tackles, four interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
Safety: Cole Huner (Sr.), Independence
All-state selection in 2015 after recording 51 tackles and seven interceptions.
SECOND-TEAM OFFENSE
Quarterback: Brandon Hines (Sr.), Independence
Replaces Andrew Bunch in Independence’s pass-heavy attack.
Running Back: Collin Rudolph (Sr.), Brentwood
Rushed for 502 yards and two touchdowns on 107 carries last season.
Running Back: Jaylen Frierson (Soph.), Battle Ground Academy
The 6-foot, 225-pound bruiser will transition from tight end/H-back to running back for BGA this year. He was second on the team in receiving last year with 25 catches for 476 yards and two touchdowns.
Wide Receiver: Daniel Taylor (Jr.), Brentwood Academy
Hauled in 27 receptions for 450 yards and two touchdowns a year ago.
Wide Receiver: Alex Gaca (Sr.), Franklin
Caught 13 passes for 455 yards and five touchdowns a year ago.
Wide Receiver: Will Leone (Sr.), Brentwood
Hauled in 14 grabs for 306 yards and two touchdowns last season.
Athlete: Tai Carter (Jr.), Summit
Rushed for 825 yards and nine touchdowns in nine games last season. He also threw for three touchdowns and had two receiving scores.
Offensive Lineman: Elijah Teat (Sr.), Brentwood Academy
Returning starter at offensive tackle.
Offensive Lineman: Braxton McGill (Sr.) Brentwood
Returning starter at offensive tackle.
Offensive Lineman: Rooke Young (Sr.), Christ Presbyterian Academy
Returning starter at center.
Offensive Lineman: Chris Dahl (Sr.), Page
Returning starter at guard.
Offensive Lineman: Michael Weathers (Sr.), Independence
Returning starter at guard.
Kicker: Christopher Miller-Hill (Jr.), Franklin
Punter: Landon Carter (Jr.), Franklin
SECOND-TEAM DEFENSE
Defensive Lineman: Nick Bell (Sr.), Centennial
Racked up 39 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles a year ago.
Defensive Lineman: Brad Smith (Sr.), Christ Presbyterian Academy
Recorded 44 tackles and one sack last season.
Defensive Lineman: Jack Doherty (Sr.), Franklin Road Academy
Registered 36 tackles, three sacks, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble a year ago.
Defensive Lineman: Michael Pierce (Sr.), Independence
Had 72 tackles (15 for loss) and four sacks in 2015.
Linebacker: Clay Carder (Sr.), Centennial
Accumulated 88 tackles (17 for loss), five sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery last season.
Linebacker: Easton Cline (Sr.), Brentwood Academy
Had 44 tackles, two interceptions and one fumble recovery in 2015.
Linebacker: Carter Nelson (Sr.), Ravenwood
Takes over at inside linebacker for the Raptors. Will also see ample time at running back.
Cornerback: Alan Watson (Sr.), Independence
Registered 39 tackles and one interception last season.
Cornerback: Andrew Howard (Sr.), Christ Presbyterian Academy
Had 50 tackles, two interceptions and one forced fumble last season.
Safety: Justin Oden (Jr.), Spring Hill
Fielding offers from Kentucky, Ole Miss, Rutgers, Tennessee and Vanderbilt.
Safety: Austin Waddell (Sr.), Centennial
Makes the switch to safety after recording 17 tackles and three interceptions at cornerback last fall.
