Watchman announces All-RedZone team

In December 2012, The West Alabama Watchman named its inaugural all-county football team. Based on statistical performance and overall production at each given position, players were selected regardless of school class or athletic association affiliation.

Now, The Watchman is proud to release its inaugural preseason all-county squad. In conjunction with the release of the first edition of RedZone, The Watchman’s preseason high school football magazine, the team is known as The West Alabama Watchman All-RedZone team. Players were chosen based on past performance and expected opportunity to achieve similar success this season.

RedZone is a free magazine and will be available Friday.

All-RedZone Offense

QB – Tyler Oates, Demopolis – Senior as the most experienced QB in the county and has potential to post big numbers in option offense.

RB – Jakoby Aldridge, Sweet Water – Jacksonville State commit ran for 1,600 yards on 200 carries last year and could eclipse that mark as senior this season.

RB – Roderick Davis, Demopolis – Senior sprinted for 1,200 yards and an honorable mention all-state nod as a junior.

WR – Cortez Lewis, Demopolis – Senior will move from slot to edge this season and could have huge year before heading to Northern Illinois for college ball.

WR – Nicholas Rogers, Linden – Senior made some big catches down the stretch last season and should emerge as Patriots’ favorite edge target this go-round.

TE – Shade Pritchett, Marengo Academy – Junior got better in the offseason after leading county in catches, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns last season.

OL – John Anthony Morrison, Demopolis – Underrated senior could be anchor of Tiger front this season.

OL – Jorian Lewis, A.L. Johnson – Junior is 6-4 and over 300 pounds and knows how to use every bit of his frame.

OL – Phillip Treadwell, Marengo – At 355 pounds, junior should be key blocker in run-heavy offense.

OL – Tanner Luker, Sweet Water – Despite shifting positions, senior will be emotional leader of Bulldog ground machine.

OL – Joseph Sammons, Marengo Academy – Senior is solid, steady, reliable blocker in Robby James’ ground-based attack.

All-RedZone Defense

DL – Tyler Merriweather, Demopolis – Georgia Tech commit can defend the run and the pass.

DL – Hollis Bright, Demopolis – Space eater in the middle of the Tiger defensive line is a nightmare for opposing ground games.

DL – Jalen Bell, Linden – Junior knows how to use combination of quickness and strength to exploit mismatches.

DL – Deshon Kilpatrick, Sweet Water – Junior will anchor Bulldog defensive line.

LB – Peyton Pearson, Demopolis – Senior’s speed is perfect for Tigers’ new 4-2-5 scheme.

LB – Chris Rogers, Linden – Senior is the monster in the middle of perennially stingy Patriot defense.

LB – Demarcus Gamble, Sweet Water – Big, fast, physical senior will bring the thump for a tenacious Sweet Water defense.

LB – Lawrence Burrell, A.L. Johnson – Senior has emerged as emotional leader of ALJ team. He also knows how to play.

DB – Kynard Craig, Linden – Returning starter in Linden secondary, senior’s 6-3 frame could flirt with double digit pick totals this season.

DB – Daniel Sewell, Sweet Water – Senior may not put up big numbers, but teams still don’t want to throw his way.

DB – Demetrius Kemp, Demopolis – Despite uncertainty surrounding injury, Southern Miss commit is most talented player in county and could put together a season’s worth of stats in limited snaps.

K – Brant Lewis, Marengo Academy – Senior led county in field goals and PAT percentage last season.

P – Stephen Stewart, Demopolis – Will have to fend off teammate Tripp Perry to keep his job, but has chance to earn second straight All-County nod.

KR/PR – Hayden Huckabee, Marengo Academy – Dynamic sophomore rushed for 1,135 yards last season and brings that same explosiveness to the return game.