Prep football: Piedmont's Hayes, Anniston's McElderry, Comer's Harris ASWA finalists

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Dec. 25—Piedmont's Jack Hayes is a finalist to repeat as Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 3A back of the year, the ASWA announced today.

Anniston offensive lineman Ryqueze McElderry, an Alabama signee, is a finalist for 4A lineman of the year, and B.B. Comer athlete Kamore Harris is a finalist for 2A back of the year.

The ASWA announced finalists for back and lineman of the year in all seven Alabama Sports Writers Association classifications and AISA.

Other finalists with local connections include two former Oxford players. Thompson defensive back Anquon Fegans is a finalist for 7A back of the year, and Auburn offensive lineman Bradyn Joiner, an Auburn signee, is a finalist for 7A lineman of the year.

Hueytown athlete Earl Woods, a Jacksonville State signee, is a finalist for 6A back of the year.

That's 4,859 total yards and 60 total touchdowns to finish off an historic career that saw him break AHSAA career records of 11,024 passing yards, 15,023 total yards, 159 touchdown passes and 223 total passing and rushing touchdowns. He quarterbacked Piedmont to the Class 3A title game for the third time in his four years as the Bulldogs' starting quarterback and was twice Super 7 MVP.

McElderry, already enrolled at Alabama, finished 2022 with 97 percent blocking grade and 65 pancake blocks. He helped pave the way for Anniston's first unbeaten regular season since 2001, a Region 4 title and run to the 4A quarterfinals, where the Bulldogs lost to eventual state champion Andalusia 35-28.

Harris, a running back and linebacker, powered B.B. Comer to its second Super 7 appearance. He rushed for 1,308 yards and 15 touchdowns and amassed 72 tackles with 11 tackles for loss through the Nov. 21 nominating deadline, which included games through the state quarterfinals. He also missed three games with injury and didn't play in the second halves of three games because of three games.

Fegans had nine interceptions with three interception returns for touchdowns through the quarterfinals. He helped Thompson win another 7A title.

Joiner graded 93 percent with 84 pancake blocks through the quarterfinals and helped Auburn High reached the 7A title game.

Woods rushed for 1,527 yards and 22 touchdowns and passed for 1,824 yards and 24 touchdowns. Hueytown reached the second round of the Class 6A playoffs.

7A BACK

DB Anquon Fegans, Thompson

QB Peyton Floyd, Hewitt-Trussville

WR Ean Nation, Auburn

7A LINEMAN

OL Bradyn Joiner, Auburn

DL Hunter Osborne, Hewitt-Trussville

DL Peter Woods, Thompson

6A BACK

RB Cole Gamble, Mountain Brook

WR Ryan Williams, Saraland

ATH Earl Woods, Hueytown

6A LINEMAN

DL Kelby Collins, Gardendale

OL Wilkin Formby, Northridge

DL Jaquavious Russaw, Carver-Montgomery

5A BACK

RB Ashton Ashford, Ramsay

RB Cole Blaylock, UMS-Wright

RB Eli Frost, Fairview

5A LINEMAN

DL Zion Grady, Charles Henderson

DL Kavion Henderson, Leeds

DL Yhonzae Pierre, Eufaula

4A BACK

RB Fluff Bothwell, Oneonta

ATH Jacob Cornejo, Cherokee Co.

QB Andrew Hunter, Randolph

4A LINEMAN

LB Jashawn Cooper, Montgomery Academy

DL Tae Diamond, Cherokee Co.

OL Ryqueze McElderry, Anniston

3A BACK

WR Ian Foster, Pike Co.

QB Jack Hayes, Piedmont

DB Damian Thompson, Mars Hill Bible

3A LINEMAN

DL Sterling Dixon, Mobile Christian

OL Koby Keenum, Mars Hill Bible

DL Trent Thomas, Cottage Hill

2A BACK

RB Logan Anderson, Fyffe

ATH Kamore Harris, B.B. Comer

QB Ty'Jarian Williams, Aliceville

2A LINEMAN

DL Keldric Faulk, Highland Home

OL Jamichael Pugh, Clarke Co.

OL Tucker Wilks, Fyffe

1A BACK

ATH Daylon Edmunds, Millry

RB Alvin Henderson, Elba

QB Brayden Huebner, Leroy

1A LINEMAN

DL Bryston Dixon, Leroy

DL Malcolm Pugh, Leroy

LB Korbit Sommerville, Pickens Co.

AISA BACK

RB George Meyers, Lee-Scott

RB Cecil Perry, Patrician

WR Trace Strickland, Clarke Prep

AISA LINEMAN

OL Jack Gibson, Patrician

OL Jake Owens, Chambers Academy

OL Walker Whitehead, Jackson Academy

Sports Writer Joe Medley: 256-236-1551. On Twitter: @jmedley_star.