Class 6A state champion Saraland placed five players on AL.com’s 2022 Coastal Alabama All-Region Football first team and three more on the second team.

The group was led by Edward Jones Player of the Year Ryan Williams and Coach of the Year Jeff Kelly. QB KJ Lacey, RB Santae McWilliams and LB Jameson Curtis also made the first team.

RELATED: ASWA All-State football team

RELATED: Player of the Year finalists

Vigor and UMS-Wright each had four players on the first team, while 6A, Region 1 champion Theodore had three.

The Coastal Alabama team is compiled through nominations from area coaches and AL.com staff insights.

It includes teams from Mobile and Baldwin Counties as well as the four counties that border Mobile/Baldwin. They are Escambia, Monroe, Clarke and Washington.

In addition to Coach of the Year, AL.com also names its Player of the Year, Offensive and Defensive MVPs and Newcomer of the Year. Edward Jones is sponsoring those awards again this year.

All award winners are listed separate from the first team but are considered first-team selections.

Here is the 2022 All-Coastal Football Team and Award winners:

FIRST-TEAM OFFENSE

QB: KJ Lacey, Saraland, Soph., 6-1, 175

Lacey, the first-team Class 6A All-State quarterback, led the Spartans to their first state football championship this season. He completed 64 percent of his passes for 3,177 yards and 40 touchdowns. He was intercepted just 5 times.

RB: Brayden Jenkins, Theodore, Sr., 5-10, 190

The first-team Class 6A All-State selection rushed for 1,943 yards and 26 TDs on 276 carries, leading the Bobcats to a 13-1 record and a Region 1 championship. He averaged 7.0 yards per carry and 161.9 yards per game. He also had a receiving TD.

RB: Santae McWilliams, Saraland, Soph., 5-9, 175

McWilliams provided balance to Saraland’s prolific air attack. He rushed for 1,484 yards and 16 TDs on 253 carries. He also caught 18 passes for 160 yards and a TD.

RB: Derrick Butler, Davidson, Jr., 6-1, 190

The first team Class 7A All-State selection rushed for 1,338 yards and 19 TDs on 184 carries for the Warriors. He had a high game of 277 yards.

WR: Anthony Eager, McGill-Toolen, Sr, 6-0, 165

The South Alabama signee and second-team Class 6A All-State selection caught 54 passes for 1,006 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Yellow Jackets.

WR: Perry Thompson, Foley, Jr., 6-4, 210

An Alabama commit and first-team Class 7A All-State receiver, Thompson caught 87 passes for 1,059 yards and 9 TDs for the Region 1 champions. He also had a pair of interceptions on defense.

WR: James Bolton, Mary G. Montgomery, Jr., 6-2, 175

Bolton caught 69 passes for 1,328 yards and 15 TDs as the Vikings made the playoffs for the first time in two decades. He averaged 19.2 yards per reception and was a first-team Class 7A All-State selection.

OL: Micah DeBose, Vigor, So., 6-5, 300

DeBose graded 96 percent for the Wolves his year. He had 52 pancake blocks and 49 knockdowns. The 4-star recruit was a first-team Class 5A All-State selection.

OL: Billy Gilmore, Alma Bryant, Sr., 6-3, 285

A Troy signee and first-team 7A All-State selection, Gilmore played both center and tackle for the Hurricanes.

OL: Drew Crane, UMS-Wright, Sr., 6-1, 276

Crane was the captain of a UMS offensive line that paved the way for Class 5A Back of the Year finalist Cole Blaylock to rush for more than 2,000 yards and 27 touchdowns. The team rushed for 2,800 yards overall.

OL: Marquez Timmes, Theodore, Sr., 5-11, 250

Timmes paved the way for Jenkins’ 1,900 yards rushing season. He graded 85 percent for the season with 97 knockdowns. He was a second-team Class 6A All-State selection.

OL: Bo Cagle, Mobile Christian, So., 6-2, 283

A first-team Class 3A All-State selection, Cagle has played on the varsity since seventh grade.

PK: Joey Jones, Bayside Academy, Sr., 5-9, 150

Jones went 8-of-11 on field goals for the Admirals with a long of 46 and 92 percent of his kickoffs were touchbacks. He also averaged 43 yards per punt.

FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE

DL: Cole McConathy, Spanish Fort, Jr., 6-5, 230

McConathy led the Toro defense with 51 tackles, including 28 for a loss, and 14 sacks. He also forced a pair of fumbles.

DL: Michael Towner, Vigor, Sr., 6-2, 245

The reigning 4A Lineman of the Year was a problem for offenses in Class 5A in 2022. He finished the season with 94 tackles, including 18 for a loss, and 15.5 sacks for the Wolves. He forced 5 fumbles and recovered 3. He was a first-team All-State pick for the second straight year.

DL: Trent Thomas, Cottage Hill, Sr., 6-5, 225

A South Alabama signee and finalist for Class 3A Lineman of the Year, Thomas recorded 130 tackles for the Warriors. He also finished with 16 sacks, an interception, a forced fumble, three fumble recoveries and three passes broken up.

DL: Travis Bendolph, Theodore, Sr., 6-0, 235

Bendolph was an anchor on a Bobcat defense that allowed just 11 points per game and held seven teams to 10 points or fewer. He finished the season with 79 tackles, including 13 for a loss, and 9 sacks.

LB: Ricky Nichols, B.C. Rain, So., 5-11, 205

Nichols finished the season with 89 solo tackles, 35 assists, 16 TFL and 2 sacks. He also had three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

LB: JC Erwin, UMS-Wright, Sr., 6-2, 198

Erwin led the Bulldogs defense with 151 total tackles, including 90 solo tackles. He had 6 tackles for loss, 2 sacks and 2 interceptions. He recovered 3 fumbles. Erwin was a 5A first-team All-State selection.

LB: Brandon Purifoy, Vigor, Jr., 5-9, 170

Purifoy finished the season with 102 tackles, including 12 for a loss. He also had 9 sacks, 2 interceptions and 5 PBUs. He was a first-team All-State selection for the second year in a row.

LB: Jameson Curtis, Saraland, Jr., 6-1, 195

Curtis finished with 107 tackles, including 11 for a loss, for the Spartans. He also had 3.5 sacks, 11 hurries, 2 interceptions and 3 fumble recoveries.

DB: Shemar Welch, McGill-Toolen, Jr., 5-11, 155

Welch intercepted 7 passes and broke up 8 others for the Yellow Jackets. He also made 32 tackles and was a Class 6A first team All-State selection.

DB: Ronnie Royal, Gulf Shores, Jr., 5-10, 181

Royal was a first team Class 5A All-State selection at the athlete position. It’s the third consecutive year he has been a first-team All-State pick. Royal had 34 tackles and 2 interceptions on defense for the Dolphins and amassed 2,120 all-purpose yards on offense and accounted for 30 touchdowns.

DB: Joe Lott, UMS-Wright, Jr., 6-3, 189

Lott finished with 74 total tackles and 5 interceptions for the Bulldogs. He also rushed for 255 yards and 7 TDs, completed 4-of-6 passes for 47 yards and 2 TDs and caught a touchdown pass. He was a first team Class 5A All-State selection.

DB: Jermaine Holcombe Jr., Vigor, Sr., 6-1, 190

Holcombe, an Alcorn State signee, had 61 tackles for the Wolves, including 5 tackles for a loss. He also intercepted 2 passes and forced 4 fumbles. He was a Class 5A second-team All-State selection.

P: Will Langston, Gulf Shores, Jr., Gulf Shores, 6-1, 190

Langston averaged 39.9 yards per punt and placed five inside the opponents’ 20-yard-line.

FIRST-TEAM ATHLETES

Chris Pearson, Orange Beach, Sr., 6-1, 185

Pearson, a Houston signee, did a little bit of everything for the Makos. He rushed for 470 yards and 12 TDs on 59 carries on offense, returned a pair of punts for touchdowns on special teams and had 30 tackles on defense. He was the MVP of the North-South All-Star Game.

Christian Burnette, Faith Academy, Sr., 6-1, 200

Burnette helped Faith Academy to the Class 5A semifinals. He rushed for 1,205 yards and 16 TDs on 178 carries, caught 16 passes for 212 yards and a TD and had 58 tackles, 15 TFL and 4 sacks on defense.

Caden Creel, Fairhope, Sr., 6-0, 195

Fairhope’s dynamic dual-threat QB signed with Jacksonville State. He averaged 273.5 yards per game for Tim Carter’s offense, finishing with 1,822 yards passing and 1,186 yards rushing and 23 total touchdowns. He was a first-team Class 7A All-State selection at the athlete position.

Chris Bracy, St. Paul’s, Sr., 6-2, 185

Bracy was a three-year starter for the Saints, who made plays all over the field. The UAB signee rushed for 498 yards and 12 TDs on 112 carries on offense and had 50 tackles on defense. He was a Class 6A second-team All-State selection at defensive back.

AL.COM/EDWARD JONES TOP HONORS FOR 2022

Player of the Year: Ryan Williams, Saraland

The 6-foot-1, 175-pound sophomore had a prolific season in helping the Spartans to the Class 6A state title. He caught 88 passes for 1,641 yards and 24 touchdowns during Saraland’s 14-1 season. Williams also rushed 57 times for 700 yards and 15 TDs, threw a touchdown pass and scored on a pair of punt returns for a total of 42 TDs. He scored 4 first-half TDs in Saraland’s state title win over Mountain Brook and was named the game’s MVP. He is a first-team All-State selection and a finalist for Class 6A Back of the Year. He is the second Saraland player to earn the Coastal Player of the Year Award and the first since QB Chris Weaver in 2014.

RECENT PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

2022 — Ryan Williams, Saraland

2021 – Braylon McReynolds, McGill-Toolen

2020 — Deontae Lawson, Mobile Christian; Javonte Graves-Billips, St. Paul’s (Co-Players)

2019 – Kris Abrams-Draine, Spanish Fort

2018 – Daquan Johnson, Flomaton

2017 – Jermaine Brown, St. Luke’s

2016 – Thomas Johnston, Spanish Fort

2015 – Tyler Johnston, Spanish Fort

2014 – Chris Weaver, Saraland

(Prior to 2014, AL.com/Press-Register named Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, not an overall Player of the Year).

Coach of the Year: Jeff Kelly, Saraland

Kelly led a sophomore-laden Saraland team to the school’s first state football title. In his 12th season at the helm, Kelly navigated a difficult Class 6A, Region 1 schedule and led his team to a 14-1 overall record. After losing to Theodore by a point in the regular season, the Spartans reeled off six straight wins, including a 21-6 victory over the Bobcats in a state semifinal rematch. They then rolled past Mountain Brook 38-17 in the championship. Kelly is now 118-35 at Saraland and has won 58 games since 2018.

RECENT COACHES OF THE YEAR

2022 — Jeff Kelly, Saraland

2021 – John McKenzie, Vigor

2020 — Steve Mask, St. Paul’s

2019 – Jack French, Faith Academy

2018 – Terry Curtis, UMS-Wright

2017 – Earnest Hill, McGill-Toolen

2016 – Kenny King, Daphne

2015 – Phil Lazenby, Bayside Academy

2014 – Steve Mask, St. Paul’s

2013 – Mark Freeman, Spanish Fort

2012 – Jack French Baker

Offensive MVP: Cole Blaylock, UMS-Wright

Blaylock is a finalist for Class 5A Back of the Year and a first-team All-State selection. The senior South Alabama signee rushed for 2,029 yards and 27 touchdowns on 269 carries this season – an average of 156 yards on the ground per game. He also caught 17 passes for 223 yards and 3 TDs and played in the North-South All-Star Game.

Defensive MVP: Sterling Dixon, Mobile Christian

The 6-foot-3, 214-pound defensive end dominated in his junior year after missing most of his sophomore season with a labrum injury. He set the school’s single season records for tackles (172) and sacks (18). He also had 39 tackles for a loss. The Class 3A Lineman of the Year finalist helped Mobile Christian to the state semifinals in 2022.

Newcomer of the Year: Anthony Jones, St. Paul’s, Fr., 6-4, 215

Jones led the Saints defense with 120 tackles, 12 TFL and 10 sacks. He also forced a fumble and had an interception return for a score. He also caught 3 TD passes on offense.

SECOND-TEAM OFFENSE

QB: Jared Hollins, Mary G. Montgomery

RB: Nick Clark, Daphne

RB: Sawyer Wilson, Spanish Fort

RB: Kolton Nero, Foley

WR: Kamrean Johnson, Theodore

WR: Jake Godfrey, Spanish Fort

WR: Ty Goodwill, Faith Academy

OL: Jamichael Pugh, Clarke County

OL: Tyler Crenshaw, Saraland

OL: DeMare Moore, Faith Academy

OL: Jeremiah Beverly, Mary G. Montgomery

OL: Logan Joellenbeck, Foley

PK: Henry Green, McGill-Toolen

SECOND-TEAM DEFENSE

DL: Bryston Dixon, Leroy

DL: Dylan Sauce, McGill-Toolen

DL: Tyler Durant, Daphne

DL: Antonio Coleman, Saraland

LB: Demon Jones, Theodore

LB: Kentonio Kelly, Mobile Christian

LB: Jalen Pickens, Jackson

LB: Yusef Clark, Williamson

DB: Will James, Theodore

DB: Jerry Brand, Blount

DB: Camden Lawson, Mobile Christian

DB: J.R. Gardner, Gulf Shores

P: Hunter Kirkland, Saraland

SECOND-TEAM ATHLETES

Daylon Edmunds, Millry

Kelvon McBride, Cottage Hill

Trey Glover, Theodore

Ezra Sexton, St. Michael

HONORABLE MENTION

QB: Brayden Huebner, Leroy; Josh Flowers, Baker; Reece Tynes, Foley; Brendon Byrd, Gulf Shores; Jarrett Daughtry, Faith Academy; Amari Yelding, B.C. Rain; Landon Duckworth, Jackson

RB: Kolby Peavy, Excel; Drew Williamson, St. Paul’s; A.J. Ezell, Clarke County; Qualin McCants, Fairhope; Bryce Dowdlan, B.C. Rain

WR: Trace Strickland, Clarke Prep; Ben Moseley, Fairhope; Aaron Rogers, Mobile Christian; Taylor Crumedy, Leroy; Jaylon Manuel, Millry; Will Reddell, Orange Beach; Ky McNulty, Baldwin County; Harrison Knight, Foley; Braylan Green, St. Michael; Roscoe Haywood, McGill-Toolen

OL: Walker Whitehead, Jackson Academy; Cason White, Elberta; Markel Nicholson, T.R. Miller; Kaiden Arnold, Escambia County; Cade Barnett, Excel; Mason Dullard, Flomaton; Maddux Everett, Leroy; Michael Seay; Millry; Jon David Cox, Leroy; Asher Hale, St. Paul’s; Tanner Finlay, Mary G. Montgomery; Cameron Schultz, Foley; Barrett Cain, Fairhope; Kevin Norwood, Blount; Cameron Rogers, Theodore; Hayden Joiner, Snook Christian; Tyler Schepker, Gulf Shores; Zykeise James, Murphy; Shaun Martin, Davidson; Ryan Shine, McGill-Toolen; Waylon Reed, Satsuma; Anthony Passarelli, Spanish Fort; Rocco Faiupu, St. Michael; Fischer Fountain, Alma Bryant

PK: Carter Lewis, Mobile Christian; Hunter Kilgore, Baker; Jonah Delange, Davidson; Miguel Frias, Theodore

DL: Malcolm Pugh, Leroy; AJ Prim, Foley; Graham Uter, Bayside Academy; Miles Adams, Flomaton; Tyler Thomas, Cottage Hill; Jy’Keem Roberson, Chickasaw; Jayson Dixon, Sweet Water; Yorel Williams, Spanish Fort; Johnnie Perdue, Daphne; Ashton Wright, B.C. Rain; Otto Brewer, Gulf Shores; Braxton Duncan, Gulf Shores; Caidyn Clark, Gulf Shores; Matthew Stallworth, Murphy; James Williams, Davidson; Tremaine Barnes, Davidson; Michael Farrell, McGill-Toolen; Antonio Coleman, Saraland; Reggie Moseley, Alma Bryant; Arenza Davis, Vigor; Cam Pritchett, Jackson; Jordan Bolden, Theodore

LB: Clay Barr, St. Michael; Sam Kelley, T.R. Miller; Tyler Cella, St. Michael; Kevin Farrish, W.S. Neal; Jacoby Holt, Thomasville; Ace Thompson, Thomasville; Ethan Henson, Clarke County; Shamar Harris, Leroy; Connor Minus, Millry; Cole Landrum, Satsuma; Corey Devole, Fairhope; Shadarius Toodle, Cottage Hill; Tyrek Gaines, Williamson; Orin Wilson, Williamson; Gary Byers, Baker; Jamarion Evans, Daphne; Garrett Childress, Daphne; Cameron Cooper, Gulf Shores; Isaiah Hammac, Gulf Shores; Sherwin Dean, Fruitdale; Garrison Holly, Jackson; Bobby Pruitt, Theodore

DB: LeBron Hooks, Escambia County; QJ Steele, Jackson; Brother Peace, T.R. Miller; Cameran Thomas, Jackson Academy; Taijh Overton, Williamson; Dorian Smith, Faith Academy; Jaeden Simmons, Faith Academy; Andre Woodard, Murphy; D.J. Jackson, Baldwin County; Ameyr Adams, Fairhope; Alex Shamburger, McGill-Toolen; JoJo Hixon, Spanish Fort; Jermaine McCree, Williamson; Jermorion Griffin, Baker

P: Daniel Kircharr, J.U. Blacksher; Zach Jenkins, Millry

ATH: Nathan Cole, J.U. Blacksher; Kyree Shakur, Chickasaw; Moe Faiupu, St. Michael; Cash Turner, Orange Beach; Preston Godfrey, Fairhope; Jaden Campbell, Baker; Philip Butts, Snook Christian; Kareem Harris, Snook Christian; Cameron Long, Daphne; Shondell Harris, Mary G. Montgomery; T.K. Barnett, Murphy; Jaylen Edney, Murphy; Braden Jackson, Gulf Shores; John Wallace Holladay, Orange Beach; Christian Mose, Alma Bryant; Tychius Caves, Jackson