Eight Rockdale County High School football players earned first team Region 2-AAAAAA all-region selections, the region announced this week.
Rockdale County linebacker Kentavious Preston led the selections and was named the Defensive Player of the Year by region coaches, highlighting eight selections to the first team for the Bulldogs.
Three Rockdale offensive players were honored with first-team selections, while Preston and four others were named to the defensive first-team.
At linebacker for the Bulldogs this season, Preston totaled 64 tackles, including 28 solo tackles. The senior also recorded a team-high 17 tackles for loss, with 1.5 sacks this season.
Offensive lineman Blake Davis, wide receiver Terrell McLaughlin and punter Devin Dawkins were named to the all-state first-team offense.
Davis earned a spot as one of the top offensive linemen in the region after grading out at over 80 percent in all 10 Bulldogs’ contests this season. Davis finished the season with 28 pancake blocks, while helping the Bulldogs’ rushing attack to more than 1,600 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns.
McLaughlin made a name for himself in 2013, leading Rockdale County with 15 catches for 364 yards and three scores. The Bulldogs were confronted with quarterback injuries during much of the season, but McLaughlin still averaged 24.3 yards a reception, with a long catch of 52 yards.
On the defensive side of the ball, Julian McKnight, Shakym Peters, Anthony Davis and Robert McCray earned spots on the all-area first team defense.
Along the defensive line for Rockdale this season, McKnight registered 39 total tackles, including 17 solo takedowns. The senior finished with 6.5 tackles-for-loss, with 3.5 sacks. McKnight was responsible for two forced fumbles as well for the Bulldogs this season.
Peters will represent the Bulldogs at safety at the all-star contest, finishing 2013 with 26 tackles. Peters recorded 17 solo takedowns with 2.5 tackles-for-loss.
At defensive back for the Bulldogs this year, Anthony Davis finished with 36 total tackles, including 24 solo tackles. The senior finished with half of a tackle-for-loss.
McCray split time this season along the defensive line and at linebacker while putting together a standout season for the Bulldogs with 57 total tackles. McCray finished with 32 solo tackles, including a team-high eight sacks and 16 tackles-for-loss. The senior also forced five fumbles for a Rockdale defensive unit that allowed over 21 points just five times this season.
Rockdale County wide receiver Akwesi Mintah earned a second team all-region selection, catching 16 passes for 231 yards and four touchdowns.
Brandon Harris, Malachi Chang Smith, Keijne Thomas and T.J. Warren earned honorable mention selections for the Bulldogs.
Rockdale finished 2013 with a 6-4 overall record, winning rivalry conetsts over Salem, Heritage and Newton.
