Advertisement

Montgomery-area winners and moments celebrated at the 2023 ASWA Mr. Football Banquet

The stars were out today in the River Region as the ASWA held the 2023 Mr. Football and Players of the year banquet Tuesday afternoon.

Several Montgomery-area athletes were nominated for player of the year and a few took home the award. Here are some of the local trending moments from Tuesday’s banquet:

Winners from the area

Lowndes Academy quarterback Clayton Hussey took home the AISA Back of the year award. Elba’s running back Alvin Henderson won it in 1A. KJ Jackson from Saint James won it in 3A and Cam Coleman out of Central Phenix City won in 7A.

Joseph Phillips out of Booker T. Washington was named the 4A Lineman of the year. The Auburn commit was shocked to still be recognized from high school accomplishments while already enrolled in college.

“It was an exciting feeling for me,” Phillips said. “Being in college and still being recognized from things I did in high school is amazing to me.”

2023 Alabama Mr. Football players of the year pose for photos during the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s players of the year banquet at Renaissance Hotel in Montgomery, Ala., on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024.
2023 Alabama Mr. Football players of the year pose for photos during the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s players of the year banquet at Renaissance Hotel in Montgomery, Ala., on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024.

Kj Jackson’s final high school award

Already settled in at the University of Arkansas, KJ Jackson was not present at the banquet. However, His father Kenneth accepted his 3A Back of the year award on his behalf.

Jackson was the first player in Saint James football history to be awarded this accomplishment. Head coach Neal Posey was the first to congratulate his former quarterback on X formerly known as Twitter.

“Congratulations to KJ Jackson for winning ASWA 3A Back of the Year! First time in Saint James Football History! What a pleasure it has been to watch him develop over the past 4 years!”

Notable area nominees

Headlining the Class 4A Back of the year nominations was Montgomery Catholic’s Caleb McCreary. Pike Road four-star Auburn commit Malik Blocton was in attendance as he was nominated for Class 6A Lineman of year.

Pike Road’s Malik Blocton is announced as a finalist during the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s players of the year banquet at Renaissance Hotel in Montgomery, Ala., on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024.
Pike Road’s Malik Blocton is announced as a finalist during the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s players of the year banquet at Renaissance Hotel in Montgomery, Ala., on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024.

Former Charles Henderson edge rusher Zion Grady was nominated for 5A Lineman of the year. And Isiai Faga out of Central Phenix-City was nominated for 7A Lineman of the year.

Montgomery Catholic’s Caleb McCreary is announced as a finalist during the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s players of the year banquet at Renaissance Hotel in Montgomery, Ala., on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024.
Montgomery Catholic’s Caleb McCreary is announced as a finalist during the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s players of the year banquet at Renaissance Hotel in Montgomery, Ala., on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024.

Jerry Humphrey III is a sports writer for the Montgomery Advertiser who covers area high school sports, Auburn recruiting and Alabama State athletics. Follow him on Twitter @jerryhump3.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Top Montgomery-area moments at the 2023 ASWA Mr. Football Banquet