The state football championships won by Signal Mountain and South Pittsburg helped draw statewide attention to several individual players from those programs. Five Signal Mountain and three South Pittsburg players, as well as two from semifinalist Boyd-Buchanan, made the Tennessee Sports Writers Association Class 2A and 1A all-state teams.
Earning 2A recognition were Signal quarterback Hogan Whitmire, receiver Jon Patton, defensive lineman Will Sawyer, linebacker Gervell Morgan and defensive back Donnie Garner and Boyd-Buchanan offensive lineman Vinny Jordan and linebacker Ross Keasler.
Earning 1A all-state recognition were running back Raquis Hale, defensive lineman Jakoby Reynolds and linebacker Coltin Blevins from South Pittsburg
Whitmire, who was a Mr. Fooball finalist, threw for 2,499 yards and 30 touchdowns and was intercepted just four times. Patton had 746 receiving yards and 14 TDs in the regular season alone. Morgan also was a Mr. Football finalist and finished the season with 120 tackles, 11 for loss and two interceptions. He also had three defensive touchdowns. While Garner will be remembered most as the state-final offensive MVP, he also was a shut-down defensive back.
Keasler made 133 tackles, 18 for loss, four sacks and three interceptions. Jordan graded out as an 85 percent blocker with 15 pancake blocks.