COVINGTON, Ga. -- The Alcovy football Tigers didn’t accomplish everything it set out to accomplish in the 2017 season, but fellow coaches in Alcovy’s region confirmed that a shortage or deficit of talent was not the reason.
In all, 16 Alcovy players adorned the All-Region 3-AAAAAA team, released Tuesday afternoon, including five first-teamers, and one, Andre Robinson, who was named the region’s kick returner of the year.
Aside from Robinson, the all-region first team squad consisted of junior Jose Ramos who was tabbed to the first team as a punter, junior offensive lineman Gavin Fletcher, senior defensive lineman Dee Fanning, senior linebacker Stephon Jefferson and senior defensive back Quindrelin Hammonds.
Five more players were placed in the second team and six honorable mention selections were recognized. Of the 16 all-region players, only seven of them are seniors, which means more than half of Alcovy’s established playmakers will return for the 2018 season.
For a team still looking for a region win and playoff berth under second-year coach, Chris Edgar, the returning talent is good news for his rebuilding efforts.
“As far as the seniors go, I’m happy that most of them got that recognition,” Edgar said. “From a team that didn’t do what we wanted to do in the region, other coaches acknowledged our team as one having some very good players. As for next year, this is a great foundation from which to build.”
The second team performers are as follows: junior offensive lineman Marcus Perdomo, senior wideout Jarius Anthony, junior defensive lineman Jalen Banks and senior defensive backs Demetrius Tuggle and Treyon Smith.
Junior quarterback Nick Simmons, offensive lineman Courtney McCoy, senior wideout Nico Johnson, senior linebacker Billy Tullison and juniors Bryson Wilcox and James Adams were all named honorable mention.
Robinson had a strong sophomore campaign, compiling close to 1,000 all-purpose yards, including a team leading 474 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 92 carries. Robinson also had 352 kick return yards. Hammonds registered 57 total tackles and six for losses, including four pass breakups while holding his scholarship offer from Army.
But it’s players like Jefferson and Fanning who hold boast some of the team’s most impressive stats lines.
Jefferson led the team in tackles, totaling 125 with 69 solo stops and 13 tackles for losses. Meanwhile, Fanning was the team’s leader in sacks (10) and tied with Smith for the team lead in interceptions (2). He also finished with 53 tackles and team’s second leading receiver in catches, yards and receiving touchdowns. He caught 19 balls for 216 yards and five scores.
Simmons was also impressive in the absence of early season starter Cameron Anderson who went down in his sixth game with an injury. The 5-foot-11, 140-pound Simmons completed 58 percent of his passes for 537 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions.
Edgar said the work for next season has already begun with a three-days-a-week winter conditioning schedule for returning players. Next year, Alcovy’s schedule will include the likes of in-county rival Newton and South Georgia power, Colquitt County.
