VaPreps 5A All-State Football Teams for 2016
Each year, we close the chapter on a football season before turning our attention to another with the announcement of the VirginiaPreps.com All-State Teams. Before we get to the 2016 honorees, let's review the standards placed around the teams we name each season.
First, we limit ourselves to just 12 players on each of the ball, offensively and defensively, as well as four special teams players (two return men, a kicker and a punter). Also worth pointing out is that since it is a mere 28 total players and because we want to honor as many as possible, we will not name a player at more than one position.
On offense, there will be a quarterback, two running backs, two receivers, a tight end, five offensive linemen and an 'athlete' that is pretty much the wild card position. From the defensive side of the ball, there will be four linemen, three linebackers and four defensive backs as well as an 'athlete' spot.
With those guidelines out of the way, let's reveal the selections...
5A 1st Team All-State Offense:
QB - Juwan Carter - Highland Springs (SR)
RB - Joshua Breece - Stone Bridge (SR)
RB - Kevin Marks - Norview (SR)
WR - Kaevon Chase - Potomac Falls (SR)
WR - Anton Ashby - Norview (SR)
TE - Daniel Thompson - Stone Bridge (JR)
OL - Mekhi Becton - Highland Springs (SR)
OL - Dillon Carey - Stone Bridge (SR)
OL - Louis Mihota - Massaponax (SR)
OL - Khari Edmundson - Hermitage (SR)
OL - Justin Redd - Hampton (SR)
ATH - D.J. Mack - Norview (SR)
Offensive Player of the Year: Juwan Carter - Highland Springs (SR)
5A 1st Team All-State Defense:
DL - Aaron Motley - Highland Springs (SR)
DL - Nana Asiedu - North Stafford (JR)
DL - Daniel Renaud - Stone Bridge (SR)
DL - Aidan McFarlane - Stone Bridge (SR)
LB - Rayshard Ashby - L.C. Bird (SR)
LB - Trajan Anderson - Massaponax (SR)
LB - Jordan Wall - Highland Springs (SR)
DB - Dohnavyn Jefferson - Stone Bridge (SR)
DB - Rell Coley - Highland Springs (SR)
DB - Devon Hunter - Indian River (SR)
DB - Tiavonte McLaughlin - Brooke Point (SR)
ATH - Jeremiah Owusu - Bethel (SR)
Defensive Player of the Year: Rayshard Ashby - L.C. Bird (SR)
5A 1st Team All-State Special Teams:
K - Roberto Argueta - Falls Church (JR)
P - Tommy Martin - Hickory (SR)
RET - Dazz Newsome - Hampton (SR)
RET - Meech Hembry - Broad Run (SR)
Coach of the Year: Loren Johnson - Highland Springs
5A 2nd Team All-State Offense:
QB - J'Quan Anderson - Albemarle (JR)
RB - Damone Drew - Brooke Point (SR)
RB - Shedrick McCall - L.C. Bird (SR)
WR - Benyeal Hill - Brooke Point (SR)
WR - Chris Thaxton - Highland Springs (SR)
TE - Ben Maffe - Briar Woods (SR)
OL - Jalen Powell - Hampton (SR)
OL - Aaron Pappy - Stone Bridge (SR)
OL - Marshall Hicks - L.C. Bird (SR)
OL - Jacob Boone - Broad Run (SR)
OL - Anthony Craig - Norview (SR)
ATH - Devyn Ford - North Stafford (SO)
5A 2nd Team All-State Defense:
DL - Akeem Smith - Henrico (JR)
DL - Tavien Blackwell - Highland Springs (SR)
DL - Nick Ackies - Douglas Freeman (SR)
DL - Derrick Eason - Norview (JR)
LB - Isaiah Johnson - Norview (SR)
LB - Mateo Jackson - Hermitage (JR)
LB - Isaiah Moore - L.C. Bird (SR)
DB - Tre Watkins - Massaponax (SR)
DB - Taeyonn Reynolds - Salem (SR)
DB - Shamond Fox - Hermitage (JR)
ATH - Morris Vaughan - Salem (SR)
5A 2nd Team All-State Special Teams:
K - Tanner Griffith - Gloucester (SR)
P - Alex Burton - Hermitage (JR)
RET - Terrance Oxendine - Patrick Henry-Ashland (JR)
RET - Davonte Williams - Salem (SR)
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