Who won the ASWA’s top coach, player awards for 2023?
With the crowning of Saraland’s Ryan Williams as Mr. Football last week, the 2023 high school season in Alabama is officially closed.
Williams was named Mr. Football by the Alabama Sports Writers Association for the second straight season, becoming the first repeat winner in the award’s 42-year history.
The announcement capped a series of ASWA awards which started in December with the All-State football team and included coaches of the Year, backs and linemen of the year and the Super All-State team.
Here are the 2023 award winners:
MR. FOOTBALL
Ryan Williams, Saraland
SUPER ALL-STATE
(top 12 players regardless of school’s classification)
Ryan Williams, Saraland
Jaylen Mbakwe, Clay-Chalkville
Cam Coleman, Central-Phenix City
Alvin Henderson, Elba
Ronnie Royal, Gulf Shores
Jacob Cornejo, Cherokee County
KJ Lacey, Saraland
DJ Barber, Clay-Chalkville
KJ Jackson, St. James
Andrew Alford, Central-Phenix City
Malik Blocton, Pike Road
Caleb McCreary, Montgomery Catholic
BACKS OF THE YEAR
7A: Cam Coleman, Central-Phenix City
6A: Ryan Williams, Saraland
5A: Ronnie Royal, Gulf Shores
4A: Jacob Cornejo, Cherokee County
3A: KJ Jackson, St. James
2A: Preston Lancaster, Tuscaloosa Academy
1A: Alvin Henderson, Elba
AISA: Clayton Hussey, Lowndes Academy
LINEMEN OF THE YEAR
7A: Bradley Shaw, Hoover
6A: DJ Barber, Clay-Chalkville
5A: QB Reese, Ramsay
4A: Joseph Phillips, BTW-Tuskegee
3A: Kentonio Kelly Jr., Mobile Christian
2A: Tucker Wilks, Fyffe
1A: Tim Parnell, Leroy
AISA: Jay Lindsey, Patrician
COACHES OF THE YEAR
(originally named Dec. 23)
7A: Zach Golson, G. Mary Montgomery
6A: Drew Gilmer, Clay-Chalkville
5A: Jake Ganus, Moody
4A: Lawrence O’Neal, BTW-Tuskegee
3A: Ronnie Cottrell, Mobile Christian
2A: Billy Adams, Locust Fork
1A: Chan Lowe, Leroy
AISA: Lebo Jones, Wilcox Academy
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