Several outstanding DeKalb County High School football players were honored last week with 2021 All-Region awards, including four players named as 2021 Region 4-4A Superlatives.
DCHS Senior Isaac Knowles was named the Offensive Most Valuable Player in Region 4, Class 4A, while Isaiah Harrington was named the region’s Most Outstanding Linebacker. The Tigers’ Colby Barnes was named as the Most Outstanding Defensive Lineman, while Diego Coronado was named Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman.
DeKalb County All Region 1st Team honors went to Tyler Estes, Brady Hale, Silas Cross, and Wil Farris, while All Region 2nd Team went to Ean Jones and Shadie Rankhorn.
The 2021 Region 4-4A MVP title went to Upperman’s Ty Dutchess, while the Defensive MVP went to Macon County’s Mason Swindle. Other honors are as follows:
· Most Outstanding DE - Jyron McClellan #34 Upperman
· Most Outstanding DB - Cameron Houston #8 Macon
· Most Outstanding RB - Jackson Rollins #27 Upperman
· Most Outstanding TE - Dawson Long #9 Macon
· Most Outstanding WR - Daniel Metzgar #4 Upperman, Kaleb Flowers #40 Stone Memorial,
· Treven McGhee #22 Cumberland
· Most Outstanding QB - Brady Brooks #10 Macon, Hunter Heavilon #3 Stone Memorial
· Most Outstanding Returner - Jaden Lawrence #7 Livingston, Bryant Carter #6 Stone Memorial
· Most Outstanding P - Jamie Perez #27 Stone Memorial, Lucas Roberts #16 Livingston
· Most Outstanding K - Anthony Maccarone #88 Upperman
· Offensive Assistant Coach - Tommy Rewis Upperman, Chris Escamilla Macon
· Defensive Assistant Coach - Paul Pierson Macon
· Special Teams Coach - Dakota Dildine Cumberland, Todd Petty Upperman
· Coach of the Year - Adam Caine Upperman
“We’ve had a few guys over these past few years, throughout the last decade really, that’s earned a lot of these awards,” said Tigers Head Coach Steve Trapp. “We tell them all the time it’s not an individual sport. At the end of the year, once they get these awards, they know they couldn’t have done it without the team. I’m just proud of each and every one of these guys.”
When asked about one of the Tigers’ star players, Isaac Knowles, Coach Trapp named off some of his many achievements. “Everything that he [Knowles] did for us this year he could have been overall MVP. He did a lot of great things for us. There’s no doubt he was the MVP of our team. Next week, he’ll be playing in the All-Star game at Austin Peay.”
“He had over 1,000 yards receiving, and had to play quarterback for two games,” Coach Trapp continued. “He was four catches away from tying the all-time record for catches in a season. He was second on our team in rushing with over 800 yards. He had 25 or 26 touchdowns, seven interceptions, one for a score. He was second on the team in tackles, with over 330 something tackles in his career. He played more games than any other player in the history of the program, with 48 starts. Everything he’s got, he’s earned, but he’ll be the first to tell you he couldn’t have done it without his teammates.”
Coach Trapp also praised the other superlatives on the team. “Isaiah Harrington, it’s the second year in a row. Last year he was region defensive MVP, and this year he’s region linebacker of the year. He’s had a great two years with us and we’re really going to miss him.”
“Diego Coronado, this has been a handful of years in a row we’ve had the offensive lineman of the region. He kept that lineage going with what he did on the offensive line.”
“Colby Barnes, he’s our number one running back, but he played some good defensive line for us as well. He actually won region defensive lineman of the year. That looks pretty good for us next year, to have a really good running back coming back, plus a really good defensive lineman.”
“Our other guys, we had four 1st Team All-Region guys, and two 2nd Team. We have a total of 10 guys that have post season or region awards. They deserve every bit of it.”
Coach Trapp also noted how far the program has come over the years. “This was the 11th consecutive state playoff appearance, 13 out of the last 14 seasons, and three years in a row that we’ve won a first round game. This senior group has played in eight playoff games, and won more playoff games than any other senior group. But, they’ve set this junior group up to surpass that.”
The DCHS Tigers ended their season in the second round of the playoffs with a 40-14 loss against the Upperman Bees, marking the 11th consecutive State Football Play-Off appearance for the Tigers, the most in school history. The Tigers, finished in 3rd place in Class 4A Region 4 at 3-2, and 7-5 on the season.
DeKalb defeated Smith County 33-14, Cumberland County 35-10, Cannon County 49-7, Livingston Academy 45-15, Warren County 28-0, Stone Memorial 21-20, and East Hamilton 35-21. Losses were against Macon County 32-29, Watertown 38-20, Upperman 24-14, Goodpasture 21-13, and Upperman 40-14.
Photo:
Football - Several DCHS Tigers Football players earned All-Region Honors last week. Pictured from left are Isaiah Harrington, Colby Barnes, Isaac Knowles, Diego Coronado, Ean Jones, Tyler Estes, Shadie Rankhorn, Wil Farris, and Brady Hale. Not pictured is Silas Cross.
