Brighton, Munford, Tipton-Rosemark football players receive postseason honors

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The All-Region 8-5A football team was announced earlier this week.

Because Brighton and Munford were the only region teams that played during 2020, only Cardinals and Cougars made the list.

However, considering the seasons several local players had, it’s safe to say many Tipton County players would have been on the list regardless.

Munford junior running back Auvic White earned the biggest honor, being named the 2020 region player of the year.

With 1,063 yards and nine touchdowns on 187 carries, White helped the Cougars take the region title and nearly win a first-round playoff game.

Brighton junior Nick Harvell, who was playing quarterback for the first time in his life, was named the offensive player of the year.

He rushed for 958 yards and eight touchdowns on 123 carries and also completed 25 of 42 passes for 511 yards and seven more scores.

Icarius Hodgin, a junior defensive back for Munford, was named the region’s defensive player of the year. He intercepted seven passes, which placed him among the state’s leaders, and recorded 64 tackles.

Munford coach Slade Calhoun was named coach of the year.

Cougar senior quarterback Jaxon O’Neal made the first team offense, as did Brighton sophomore running back Braxton Sharp.

O’Neal completed 66 of 141 passes for 1,178 yards and 11 touchdowns and ran for 406 yards and three scores.

Sharp rushed for 1,017 yards and 11 touchdowns on 101 carries and also caught 19 passes for 201 yards.

Four of the five first team offensive linemen were Brighton players. Six Munford players were named all-defense and five from Brighton made that list.

The DII-A-West also released it’s All-Region teams and eight Tipton-Rosemark Academy players were honored.

Aidan Sprenkle was named first team as a kick/punt returner. He returned 19 kickoffs for 488 yards, a 25.7 average.

Tucker James, who led the Rebels with 57 tackles, was named a second-team linebacker and Gibson Phillips was a second-team defensive lineman.

Payne Fullen, Jalen Hurt and Heath Harrald were named honorable mention and Hale Parchman, Zak Vinson and Bryce McLane were named to the all-academic team.

Fullen completed 75 of 141 passes for 1,004 yards and four touchdowns. He also led the team with 772 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.

Hurt led the Rebels’ receiving corps with 16 catches for 340 yards and three touchdowns.

The names of the players who were named all-region in 7-3A, the league in which Covington plays, will be released on Friday.

Here’s a look at all those who were honored in 8-5A:

Player of the year – Auvic White, Munford

Offensive player of the year – Nick Harvell, Brighton

Defensive player of the year – Icarius Hodgin, Munford

First team offense

QB – Jaxon O’Neal, Munford;  RB – Braxton Sharp, Brighton; WR – Traveon Hawkins, Munford; Jace Hodgin, Munford; OL – Miguel Sanchez, Munford; Harrison Moore, Brighton; Austin Welsandt, Brighton; Justin Spurlin, Brighton; Luke Hayes, Brighton

First team defense

DL – D.J. Vassar, Munford; Jake Bradley, Munford; Jacob Rodriquez, Brighton; Dima Barker, Brighton; LB – Jacoby Miguel, Munford; Trace Parker, Munford; Josh Fleming, Brighton; Gavin Haynes, Brighton; DB – Ben Cerniglia, Munford; Kelton Mason, Munford; Darrien Lewis, Brighton