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It is one or most prestigious awards for a high school football player in the state of Georgia. Being named an All-state football player by the Georgia Sports Writers Association (GSWA). The GSWA announced its 2019 All-State Football team on April 22, 2020. They chose nine players from the Savannah area for the All-State Football team. 

The all-state selections are by a panel of statewide newspaper and broadcast media members who report about high school football. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Newspaper\Georgia High School Football Daily \Georgia High School Football Sports Historians Association writer/reporter Todd Holcomb compiled a comprehensive list.  

Here is a list below of the nine Savannah area prep football players the GSWA selected for 2019 football season and where they will attend next year. You can read a complete list of all classifications at GSWA releases all-state team.

6A Offensive team GSWA All-State selection

Running Back Jalen Rouse Richmond Hill High School (Senior)

Rouse rushed for 1,754 yards, scored with 25 touchdowns 24 rushing 1 receiving. Rouse was the GHSA Region 3AAAAAA player of the year, the Savannah Morning News offense player of the year. Rouse has committed to Tennessee State University.

 

 

6A Defensive team GSWA All-State selection

Defensive Lineman Nathan Vickers Richmond Hill High School (Junior)

Vickers on the season had 84 tackles, 24 tackles for a loss, 14 sacks. one fumble recovery and one forced fumble. They named Nathan the Region 2-6A Defensive Player of the Year and he is back again next year for Coach Matt LeZotte’s Wildcats.

 

 

 

5A Offensive team GSWA All-State selection

Offensive Lineman Austin Blaske South Effingham High School (Senior)

Blaske a GHSA All-Region 2-5A first-team player and Savannah Morning News greater all area first-team offense linemen were an aggressive lineman on both sides of the ball. Austin had verbally committed in December to North Carolina State, but he changed his mind the week before the early signing date, also in December. The reason for his dream school to play college football, Georgia made an offer. It was a quick change of decision for Blaske when head coach Kirby Smart offered a scholarship and Blaske signed with UGA. Austin pinned the GHSA 6A 285 wrestling title and committed to the University of Georgia.

 

ATHLETE Sam Brown, New Hampstead (Senior)

Sam received the Region coaches 2-5A Player of the Year. He had 40 catches for 731 yards and 11 touchdowns and ran for 308 yards and five scores on 39 carries. On defense, he had 69 tackles, caused a pair of fumbles and made four interceptions, returning two for scores.  Brown has committed to West Virginia University.

 

 

3A Defense of team GSWA All-State selection

Defensive Lineman Taurus Simmons, Jenkins High School (Senior)

Simmons had 81 tackles, 24.5 tackles for losses, nine sacks, an interception, six caused fumbles and a fumble recovery (statistics through 13 games) for the Warriors, who reached the GHSA Class 3A state semifinals and finished 12-2. Simmons was the Savannah Morning News Defensive Player of the Year and has committed to West Virginia University’

 

 

Defensive Lineman Akelo Stone Jenkins High School (Senior)

Stone had 49 tackles, 16 TFL and three sacks. Akelo was a 3-3A Coaches All-Region first-team and Savannah Morning Greater All Savannah first-team. Stone graduated in December committed to Georgia Tech and enrolled in January. 

 

 

 

 

 

Defensive Back Ronald Cooper Jenkins high school (Senior)

Ronald won the Finocchiaro Award as the top player in Savannah and the Region 3-3A Player of the Year. He had 50 tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles and four interceptions and added 13 catches for 254 yards and four scores. He had seven total touchdowns, two on punt returns. Ronald committed to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis.

 

1A Private Offensive team GSWA All-State selection

Tight End Kaleb Park Calvary Day School (Senior)

Kaleb had 48 catches for 662 yards and eight scores, added 23 tackles and an interception on defense to earn Class A Region 3 all-region first-team honors. Park will attend Georgia Southern next year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1A Private Defensive team GSWA All-State selection

Defensive Lineman Andre Miller Savannah Country Day (Senior)

Miller had 46 tackles, four tackles for a loss and a pair of sacks. Andre added 27 catches for 347 yards and five offensive touchdowns. Miller was a Class A Region 3 all-region first-team member and a Savannah Morning News Greater All Savannah first-team player. Andre committed to the United States Military Academy at West Point.