By Bobby Mathews, Sports Editor
TRUSSVILLE — It’s a difficult task to winnow down the best of the best, but the 2021 All-Tribune Team reflects a cross-section of the top players from the seven teams in the newspaper’s coverage area.
The All-Tribune Team features teams from one 7A school (Hewitt-Trussville), three 6A schools (Clay-Chalkville, Pinson Valley and Springville), as well as three 5A schools: Leeds, Moody and Center Point.
Clay-Chalkville running back Ed Osley is The Tribune’s Athlete of the Year, rushing for 2,000 yards and scoring 30 total touchdowns (28 on the ground and 2 receiving). Osley was selected as the MVP of the AHSAA 6A championship game against Hueytown earlier this month, when he scored five times and led the Cougars to victory in a 46-42 shootout.
Osley sat out one game all season, still eclipsing the 2,000-yard mark.
Clay-Chalkville head coach Drew Gilmer earned The Tribune’s Coach of the Year award for leading the Cougars to a 15-0 season and a third state championship. This was Gilmer’s first title as a head coach.
What may have been the most impressive thing for Gilmer and his crew is how the Cougars adapted to each challenge. In the 6A semifinals, the Cougars trailed late against Mountain Brook, but second-half adjustments and a willingness to do whatever it took to win the game saw Clay-Chalkville come from behind to win.
The All-Tribune Team is broken into three teams: First Team, Second Team and Honorable Mention. The players on the First Team are listed below by position but not necessarily in the order they were selected for each position. The Second Team and Honorable Mention will be listed separately.
Quarterback
Khalib Johnson (Clay-Chalkville)
- 3,300 yards passing, 40 passing touchdowns, four rushing touchdowns, a 15-0 season and a 6A state title.
Running Back
Troy Bruce (Center Point)
- 1,600 yards rushing, 26 touchdowns, zero fumbles. Led the Eagles to the third round of the 5A playoffs.
Ed Osley (Clay-Chalkville)
- 2,000 yards rushing on 260 carries for 33 touchdowns, 2 receiving TDs, the 6A championship game MVP
James Hammonds (Hewitt-Trussville)
- 1,162 yards to lead Class 7A in rushing, 15 rushing touchdowns, 1 receiving.
Offensive Line
Ryan Gunter (Hewitt-Trussville)
- Big, strong, mobile. Will play college ball at UAB.
Jackson Bartee (Leeds)
- The leader of the Leeds offensive line, checking coverages and making adjustments on the fly.
Cameron Ambrose (Pinson Valley)
- High-IQ player who was the rock of the Indians’ offensive line.
Harrison Asbury (Hewitt-Trussville)
- A tough, hard-nosed, get-it-done player for the Huskies’ line, with the ability to play either side of the ball.
Riley Quick (Hewitt-Trussville)
- Two-sport athlete for Hewitt-Trussville. Mobile, strong. Also played defensive line when called upon.
Wide Receiver
Marquarius White (Clay-Chalkville)
- 1,200+ receiving yards, 16 receiving touchdowns. Elite speed and hands. Also served as Clay-Chalkville’s punter when needed.
Omari Kelly (Hewitt-Trussville)
- Mr. Everything for Hewitt-Trussville had 1,335 receiving yards, 13 toudowns, 1 rushing touchdown. Also played DB on occasion.
Davion Dozier (Moody)
- 51 catches for 833 yards and 12 touchdowns. Excellent speed and hands combined with a willingness to go attack the ball in the air.
Amare Thomas (Pinson Valley)
- When the Indians needed passing yards, Thomas was the go-to guy. Explosive athlete.
Defensive Line
Justice Finkley (Hewitt-Trussville)
- One of the most highly-sought recruits in the country. 96 total tackles, 4 sacks, all while usually being double-teamed.
Logan Suggs (Moody)
- Could have made the First Team at either offensive or defensive line. Strongest player on the Blue Devils team. Named to All-County, All-Region team.
BJ Diakite (Pinson Valley)
- Two-sport athlete (football, basketball) with a tremendous upside. Will play at Vanderbilt for college.
Kavion Henderson (Leeds)
- Impact player for Leeds. One of the most highly-sought defensive recruits in the state.
Linebacker
Matthew McDonald (Moody)
- With 133 tackles in 10 games for his senior season, McDonald was the tip of the spear for the Blue Devil defense.
Jamarion ‘Bam’ White (Hewitt-Trussville)
- 127 total tackles. Hard hitter. Vocal leader on the Huskies’ defense.
DJ Barber (Clay-Chalkville)
- 113 total tackles on a defense that pitched five shutouts over the course of a 15-game season.
Defensive Back
TJ Metcalf (Pinson Valley)
- The numbers speak for themselves: 115 total tackles, 4 interceptions, 8 pass break-ups, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries.
KeMarius Horne (Center Point)
- Excellent defender who played at a high level despite spending much of the season with one hand in a cast.
Tanner Chambers (Leeds)
- At one point during the 2021 season, Chambers had six interceptions in seven games for the Green Wave.
Jayden Sweeney (Clay-Chalkville)
- 59 total tackles. A cerebral player who made the defensive calls on the field for the Cougars.
Athlete
ATH: Mario Craver (Clay-Chalkville)
- 900+ all-purpose yards. 11 touchdowns. Elite speed. Great hands. Craver not only emerged this season as a receiver, but played a huge part for the Cougars as a punt and kickoff returner.
Punter/Kicker
CJ Curtis (Hewitt-Trussville)
- 23-for-25 on PATs and 3-of-5 for FGs to score 32 points over the course of Hewitt-Trussville’s 12-game season.