THE FOCUS / COACHES’ 2023 ALL-KNOX COUNTY FOOTBALL TEAM
Brockwell and Barrett had special seasons
By Steve Williams
Gibbs running back Boone Brockwell was a touchdown maker and Webb wide receiver/ defensive back Markeis Barrett had a knack for catching the football on either side of the line of scrimmage.
The two seniors are special players on The Focus / Coaches’ 2023 All-Knox County Football team, which is based on the 10-game regular season.
Brockwell, who ran for 1,244 yards, edged Bearden sophomore Jayzon Thompson for the rushing title. But what really got the attention of the fans in Corryton were the two records he set along the way. He scored a single game record six touchdowns and set a single season record of 29 touchdowns.
“The key to Boone’s success was he battled through adversity his first three years with several different injuries,” said Gibbs Head Coach Brad Turner.
For the most part, Brockwell stayed healthy this year, added Turner.
“Boone has always had a lot of talent; even as a freshman,” said the Eagles’ coach. “He worked hard this past off season to get bigger and stronger and it paid off.”
Twenty six of Brockwell’s 29 TDs were on running plays. He caught a touchdown pass and returned a punt and interception for the other two.
Meanwhile, one of the Knox County statistical leaders on the defensive side was also an offensive threat. Barrett, a Mr. Football finalist, intercepted nine passes – four more than his nearest competitor. The Spartan had enough receiving yardage (739 yards) to be in the Top 5, but even better than that, Markeis had the moves, speed and hands to rank No. 1 with 12 TD catches.
The team’s receiving corps also includes Carter senior athlete Spencer Russell.
The field general of the offensive backfield is Catholic junior Jayden Neal, who earned the quarterback spot on the team by passing for 2,168 yards and 21 touchdowns.
Center Byron Finger, a 45-game career starter at Powell, leads the offensive line.
Shane Cherry, Austin-East junior, is an Athlete on the first team. Known more for his basketball talents, he came out for his first year of football and raised a lot of eyebrows. As the Roadrunners’ quarterback, he passed for 1,443 yards and nine touchdowns and ran for 777 yards and 13 TDs.
On the defensive side of the All-Knox County team, Central Coach Nick Craney said his junior nose guard, Jake Holbert, made two game-winning stops at the 1-yard line this past season, with the second one at Heritage wrapping up a playoff berth for the Bobcats.
Player of the Year Steven Soles Jr. of Powell and West’s C.J. Smith are big-play DEs.
The linebacker corps includes Ryan Scott of West, who no doubt is on his way for more All-State honors this year. Webb LB Cooper Cameron was a Mr. Football semifinalist and Halls linebacker Kameron Bates was also a determined competitor as a running back for the Red Devils.
Farragut’s Jack Alley, also one of the first-team linebackers, finished his prep career with the Admirals ranked second all-time in tackles. The Air Force commit had 132 tackles in the regular season, with 84 being solo stops.
Owen Taylor’s spot on the first team is “KS” for kicking specialist. The Halls senior had the second best punting average, second most kicking points and was second in touchbacks. He’s also a Mr. Football finalist.
Braylon Harmon of Catholic also is part of the Special Teams as a return specialist. During the regular season, he returned four kickoffs and two punts for touchdowns.
The All-Knox County team also includes a second team and an honorable mention list.
The Focus / Coaches’ All-Knox County Football Team
FIRST TEAM
Offense
QB-Jayden Neal, Catholic, jr.
RB-Boone Brockwell, Gibbs, sr.
RB-Jayzon Thompson, Bearden, so.
OL-Jesse Massengill, Powell, sr.
OL-Jackson Alvey, Halls, sr.
OL-Byron Finger, Powell, sr.
OL-Nick Goodwin, Halls, sr.
OL-Cooper Wyatt, Central, sr.
WR-Spencer Russell, Carter, sr.
WR-Tyreek King, Catholic, soph.
WR-Dante Strickland, Central, sr.
Ath-Shane Cherry (A-E), jr.
Defense
E-Steven Soles Jr., Powell, sr.
L-Ari Klasky, Webb, sr.
L-Jake Holbert, Central, jr.
L-Wyatt Deroche, West, jr.
E-C.J. Smith, West, sr.
LB-Cooper Cameron, Webb, sr.
LB-Ryan Scott, West, sr.
LB-Jack Alley, Farragut, sr.
LB-Kameron Bates, Halls, sr.
B-Markeis Barrett, Webb, sr.
B-Torin McAfee, Central, soph.
Special Teams
KS-Owen Taylor, Halls, sr.
PK-Benji Angola, Gibbs, sr.
P-Nathan Holbrook, HVA, jr.
RS-Braylon Harmon, Catholic, sr.
LS-Roger McNeer, Farragut, sr.
SECOND TEAM
Offense
QB-Jack Wagner, Webb, sr.
RB-Connor Wheeler, Powell, jr.
RB-Jalen Hill, Webb, sr.
RB-Marshaun Bowers, West, sr.
L-Avrey Mohr, Farragut, sr.
L-Nathan Harville, Farragut, sr.
L-Luke Tidwell, Gibbs, sr.
L-Blake Neely, Powell, sr.
L-Judd Taylor, Carter, jr.
TE-Drew Ross, Halls, jr.
WR-Syxx Hoard, West, jr.
Ath-Deuce Rodgers, Powell, so.
Defense
E-Michael Stewart, HVA, jr.
L-Antori Hamilton, Catholic, sr.
L-Vershaun Cash, Fulton, sr.
L-Caleb Turner, Halls, sr.
E-Charvon Thomas, Powell, jr.
LB-Anderson Smith, West, sr.
LB-Wyatt West, Gibbs, sr.
B-Harvey Niendorff, Webb, sr.
B-Markus Jackson, Powell, sr.
B-Landis Davila, Farragut, sr.
B-Sam Cummins, Bearden, sr.
Special Teams
K-Daniel Kinney, Bearden, jr.
P-Lucas Hollifield, GCA, sr.
KR-Tory Beaufort, Bearden, soph.
HONORABLE MENTION
Austin-East
WR-DeMarcus Allen, sr.
OL/DL-Tylan Baker, sr.
S/CB-Mike Gladney, jr.
RB-Dimere Ligon, jr.
Bearden
LB-Kai Ironside, jr.
P-William Pendergrass, jr.
CAK
Ath-Sloan Helton, CAK, sr.
WR-Will Kelley, jr.
RB-Lincoln Rich, jr.
LB-Maddox Mozingo, jr.
CARTER
Ath-Jody Scruggs, Carter, so.
Catholic
DE-Keilyn Smith, sr.
ILB-Bryson Gardner, sr.
Central
RB-Frank Johnson IV, sr.
TE/LB/Ath-Daniel Sackie, jr.
DT-Cassen Garrison, soph.
DB-Javaston Badgett, soph.
Farragut
RB-Wyatt Drummy, sr.
Fulton
QB-Dexter Moulden, sr.
RB-Albert Johnson, jr.
WR-Derrick Smith, jr.
LB-Travari’a Allen, jr.
OLB-Joe Moore, jr.
OL-Garrin Bailey, jr.
Gibbs
LB/RB-Brady Hughes, jr.
DE-Cash Mount, sr.
CB-Levi Allison, jr.
OL-Wyatt Bentley, soph.
LB-Da’Juan Harris, soph.
Grace Christian
Ath-Steven Riffey, GCA, sr.
QB-Weston Edmondson, jr.
LB-Jackson Coffey, fr.
LB-Parker Whittaker, soph.
WR-Blake Perkey, soph.
RB/Ath-Terrion Thomas, fr.
Halls
QB-Amari Lethgo, soph.
DB-Gavin Harrop, sr.
DB-Michael Harrop, sr.
LB-Brody Rogers, soph.
Hardin Valley
LB-Tommy Joseph, sr.
SS-Pierce Palmer, sr.
Karns
WR/DB-Walker Lockhart, sr.
Ath-Alex Idol, jr.
OL-Brody Cassell, sr.
Powell
PK-Dylan Stooksbury, jr.
OL-Joshua Fife-Offshack, sr.
South-Doyle
QB-Maddox Cupp, sr.
WR-Marquail Patterson, jr.
WR-TJ Tipton, jr.
WR-S Bryan McCelwee Jr., sr.
K-Jonah Mitchell, soph.
Webb
DL-Ethan Klasky, sr.
OL-Xavier Hickman, sr.
WR-Greg Tate, soph.
West
OL-Britton Carver, sr.
OL-Jack Codevilla, sr.
TE-Dominique Davis, jr.
DB-Antwain Burdine, jr.
LB-Bryson Leyva, sr.
