By Gary Lloyd
This year’s The Trussville Tribune football players of the year have been named. The winners were chosen from nominations made by Hewitt-Trussville head coach Hal Riddle, Clay-Chalkville head coach Jerry Hood and Pinson Valley head coach Matt Glover. They include a tough defensive end, a linebacker who led by example, a big-play cornerback and three running backs who were crucial to their teams’ success.
Hewitt-Trussville’s defensive player of the year is senior defensive end Austin Wysor. Wysor, a Mercer verbal commitment, finished the season with 46 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, two pass breakups and a team-leading three fumble recoveries.
Hewitt-Trussville senior defensive end Austin Wysor (99) returns an interception against Woodlawn this season.
photo by Ron Burkett
Wysor provided the Hewitt-Trussville defense with constant pressure on opposing quarterbacks, and leadership on and off the field.
Others considered from the Hewitt-Trussville defense included senior linebacker Carson Foster, senior defensive end Joseph Roberts and junior defensive back Deontay Wilson.
Hewitt-Trussville’s offensive player of the year is senior running back Peyton Palmer. Palmer led Hewitt-Trussville in all three rushing categories, carrying the ball 118 times for 508 yards and eight touchdowns. He also finished fourth in receptions with 29 for 269 yards and three touchdowns.
Hewitt-Trussville senior running back Peyton Palmer makes a run against Clay-Chalkville this season.
photo by Ron Burkett
He also led Hewitt-Trussville with 285 kickoff return yards. Palmer didn’t have the big-play ability of some high school football players, but he seemed to push the line for key third-down rushes and catch important passes in the flat.
Others considered from the Hewitt-Trussville offense included senior quarterback Blake Bailey, senior wide receiver Riley Stokes and junior wide receiver Cyle Moore.
Clay-Chalkville’s defensive player of the year is senior linebacker Stephen Sheffield. Sheffield, one of the smallest linebackers around, played all season with a big heart. He played much of the season with a torn labrum and was a vocal leader for the defense, on the field and from the sideline.
Clay-Chalkville senior linebacker Stephen Sheffield chases Hewitt-Trussville quarterback Blake Bailey this season.
photo by Ron Burkett
Sheffield notched 56 tackles, good for third on the team, one sack and 6.5 tackles for loss, which was second on the team.
Others considered from the Clay-Chalkville defense included senior defensive lineman Jalen Harvey and junior defensive back Kam Prewitt.
Clay-Chalkville’s offensive player of the year is junior running back Terrelle West. West was the leading rusher on a Clay-Chalkville offense that scored the most points in school history (540). He rushed 129 times for 1,181 yards and 11 scores.
Clay-Chalkville junior running back Terrelle West fights for yards against Oak Mountain.
photo by Ron Burkett
West also caught 17 passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns. He also added 193 kickoff return yards. West will likely be a top contender for this award again next season.
Others nominated from the Clay-Chalkville offense were senior running back Sidney Battle and senior center Josh Davis.
Pinson Valley’s defensive player of the year is junior cornerback Juray Smith. Smith posted 54 tackles, 10 pass breakups and six interceptions for the Indians this season.
Pinson Valley junior cornerback Juray Smith (5) defends a pass in the spring game at Clay-Chalkville earlier this year.
photo by Ron Burkett
He was also big in the return game, taking a kickoff and punt back for touchdowns. Smith grabbed two of his interceptions in Pinson Valley’s big 23-20 overtime win over Hartselle in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs.
The other defenders nominated were senior linebacker Elijah Bibbs and junior linebacker Nathan Cunningham.
Pinson Valley’s offensive player of the year is junior running back Nick Gibson. Gibson is a no-brainer for this award. The workhorse back rushed 293 times for 2,205 yards and 27 touchdowns this season. He was recognized statewide for two games in particular.
He rushed for 460 yards and six touchdowns against Mortimer Jordan, and for 369 yards and six more scores against Moody. Gibson also caught 25 passes for 266 yards and three scores.
Pinson Valley junior running back Nick Gibson rushes the ball against Hartselle in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs.
photo by Ron Burkett
Gibson will be a top contender for this award again next season.
The other offensive player considered from Pinson Valley was senior quarterback Brooks Garrett.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.
