The Tennessee Sports Writers Association has released its 2016 all-state football teams for Class 6A and Class 5A, and the lists include five players from the Chattanooga area.
Bradley Central's quarterback/receiver combination of Cole Copeland and Lameric Tucker are on the Class 6A all-state team, while Rhea County tight end Jared Edwards, Ooltewah offensive lineman Zaire Bruner and McMinn County defensive lineman Xzayvier Beckingham make up the area's 5A contingent.
Copeland, a University of Tennessee at Chattanooga commitment, threw for 2,512 yards and 23 touchdowns and ran for another 600 yards this past season. Tucker, a junior, set school records with 91 catches for 1,452 yards and 13 TDs. He also ran for four TDs.
Edwards, a Memphis commitment, was a two-way starter who not only caught passes but also was a dominant blocker for an offense that nearly produced three 1,000-yard rushers. Likewise Bruner, only a junior, was the lead blocker on one of the area's highest scoring offenses. Beckingham ranked among the area's leaders in tackles for loss.
The TSWA will release the all-state teams two classes at a time the rest of this week with classes 4A and 3A announced Wednesday.
TSWA All-State
Class 6AOffenseQB: Cole Copeland (Bradley Central), Dylan Hopkins (Maryville); RB: Kylan Watkins (Whitehaven), Master Teague (Blackman); WR: Lameric Tucker (Bradley Central), Edward Johnson (Cordova), Trey Knox (Blackman), OL: Max Wray (Franklin), D.J. Delfendahl (Mt. Juliet), Elijah Dobbins (Oakland), K’Rojhn Calbert (Warren County), Anthony Geter (Whitehaven); ATH: Jordan Ervin (Maryville); K: Jacob Smith (Siegel).DefenseDL: Chris Onwumere (Oakland), Ellis Chapman (Hardin Valley), Matt Young (Maryville), Quinton Bohanna (Cordova); LB: T.D. Blackmon (Maryville), Aubrey Miller (Whitehaven), Jackson Cauthen (Oakland), Bryson Tolley (Science Hill); DB: Theo Jackson (Overton), DB: Kaleb Oliver (Oakland), Gentry Bonds (Riverdale), Rayshad Williams (Whitehaven); ATH: JaCoby Stevens (Oakland); P: Adam Williams (Wilson Central).Class 5AOffenseQB: Jacob Murphree (Dickson County), Adam Fulton (Farragut); RB: Daymion Blevins (Morristown West), Jordan Mason (Gallatin); WR: Tee Higgins (Oak Ridge), Kendrell Scurry (Independence), Braden Collins (Farragut); OL: Trey Greene (Stewarts Creek), Zaire Bruner (Ooltewah); Jared Edwards (Rhea County); Oliver Lane (Gibbs), Eli Katina (Centennial); ATH: Gus Antoine (Northeast); K: Tucker Day (Brentwood).DefenseDL: Trevis Hopper (Memphis Central), Mike Rhoades (Campbell County), David Demke (Independence), Xzayvier Beckingham (McMinn County); LB: Cooper Hardin (Farragut), Kyndall Clark (Oak Ridge), Hunter Dupree (Independence), Maleik Gray (LaVergne); DB: Landon Guidry (Independence), Brandon Lewis (Cane Ridge), Jack DeVault (Farragut), Devious Christmon (Centennial); ATH: Caden Harbin (Knox Halls); P: Joe Doyle (Farragut).