Jonesboro-Hodge High School linebacker and LSU commit, Xavier Atkins, has been selected to the 2022 Class AA All-State First Team Defense in football. The announcement was released by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association (LSWA) on Friday. By being selected for the second straight year, Atkins becomes only the third player in JHHS history to be selected in back-to-back years, joining John Garlington (1962-63) and Norman Bradford (1989-90). Rated 3-Stars by college recruiting services, the 6’1” 205 lb., junior ended the season with 121 total tackles, 104 solo stops, 20 tackles for a loss, 4 blocked punts, 3 sacks, and an interception which was returned for a touchdown.
“I am proud for Xavier to be honored as one of the best in the state once again,” said JHHS head coach Terrance Blankenship. “He has worked hard for this and hopefully next year will be his best yet.”
Running back Jalen Williams and defensive back Tackett Curtis were named Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year while Neil Weiner was voted Coach of the Year after leading Dunham School to their first title-game berth in 18 years.
Curtis, who has signed to play with the University of Southern California (USC), was named defensive MVP for a second straight year after finishing with 112 tackles, 16 for a loss, six sacks, and four interceptions to help Many win the Division III “non-select” state title. Wiliams totaled a state-best 2,844 yards and 44 touchdowns for Division IV semifinalist Mangham.
2022 LSWA CLASS 2A ALL-STATE
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: JALEN WILLIAMS, MANGHAM
WR Jac Comeaux Jr. Dunham 6-1 175 Jr.
WR Omarion Miller North Caddo 6-2 195 Sr.
TE Joe Thomas Layton Oak Grove 6-3 225 So.
OL Luke Schultz Notre Dame 6-4 245 Jr.
OL Brett Bordelon Newman 6-6 290 Sr.
OL Braden Augustus Dunham 6-2 285 Sr.
OL Joseph Cryer Many Jr. 6-4 295 Jr.
OL John Carter O’Neal Oak Grove, 5-9 250 Sr.
QB Arch Manning Newman 6-5 220 Sr.
RB Decareyn Sampson, Avoyelles, 5-10 175 Jr.
RB Grant Ducote Rosepine 5-10 205 Sr.
RB Jalen Williams Mangham 5-9 175 Sr.
PK Peyton Woodring Ascension Episcopal 5-10, 175, Sr.
ATH Jackson House Dunham 6-0 180 Sr.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: TACKETT CURTIS, MANY
DL Jake Ibieta Country Day 6-3 220 Sr.
DL Jake Rizzo Dunham 6-3 240 Sr.
DL Swazy Carheel Many 6-3 230 Jr.
DL Troy Pattum Welsh 6-2 205 Jr.
LB Kyle Cannon St. Charles 6-1 205 Jr.
LB Xavier Atkins Jonesboro-Hodge 6-1 205 Jr.
LB James Harris Oak Grove 6-2 230 Jr.
LB Cade Bedgood Calvary 6-0 200 Sr.
DB Michael Hotard St. Charles 6-0 170 Sr.
DB Tackett Curtis Many 6-2 220 Sr.
DB Tylen Singleton Many 6-2, 180 Jr.
DB Kam Franklin Oak Grove 6-4, 205 Sr.
P Badger Hargett Ascension Episcopal 5-10 180, Sr.
KR Davon Stirgus St. Charles 5-10 155 Sr.
ATH Aden Cline Rosepine 5-9 152 Sr.
COACH OF THE YEAR: NEIL WEINER, THE DUNHAM SCHOOL
CLASS AA HONORABLE MENTION
Mills Dawson, East Feliciana; Kennon LeGros, Welsh; Carlos Bazert, Avoyelles; Josh Williams, Avoyelles; Malachi Jackson, Winnfield; Sema’j Hayes, Vidalia; Devin Jackson, Vidalia; Kabari Davis, Vidalia; QB Aidan Mouton, Notre Dame; TJ Johnson, Mangham; Keldrick Green, General Trass; Aubrey Nash, General Trass; Trey’Dez Green, East Feliciana; Aubrey Hermes, Calvary; Cole Colligan, Ascension Episcopal; Jimmy Wright, Calvary; Cade Dardar, Ascension Episcopal; Roderick Parker, South Plaquemines; Abram Wardell, Calvary Baptist; Jackson Bradley, Oak Grove; Jake Smith, Rosepine; Evan Simon, Loreauville; Jake Brouillette, Notre Dame; Jack Schwing, Country Day; Cedric Allison, Oakdale, Sr.; Ian Vigo, Grand Lake; James Simon, Calvary; Kameron Casnave, Northlake Christian; Connor Gibbs, Country Day; Thomas Clack, Oak Grove; Garrett Little, Calvary; Ayden Authement, St. Charles; Britten Dean, St. Charles; Kai Donaldson, Newman; Jalen McGraw, Mangham; Trey Massey, Mangham; Colin Boldt, Dunham; Ryland Brister, Winnfield; William Russell, Catholic-NI; Austin Guillory, Newman; Reed Sanger, South Plaquemines; Hutch Grace, Calvary; Cade Dauzat, Oakdale.
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