DUBLIN, Ga. — High school football season is finished and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution released their All-State selections for the GHSA. These are the kids who were the best of the best on the field. Not only that, often times they are the leaders of their programs and represent what it means to be a student-athlete on and off the field.
The football athletes had phenomenal year's statistically and, in many cases led their teams deep into the playoffs.
In 5A, Central Georgians turned plenty of heads. Claiming four spots on the All-State list.
The crown jewel though is 5A Offensive Player of the Year, Jontavis Robertson of Jones County High. Robertson posted 1162 yards and 9 touchdowns in 2019 according to max preps. He led Jones County to the semi-finals for the first time since 1961, before ultimately signing his letter of intent to go be a Blue Devil at Duke. His teammate Conner Griffin joins him on the list. Along with Warner Robins demons, Jalen Addie and Ahmad walker.
Five athletes were named All-State in 2A. The Dublin Fighting Irish earned all the top honors after winning a 2A state championship. Roger Holmes was named 2019 Coach of the Year.
"Obviously anybody that's doing it would like to be recognized for the job they've done, but as far as me personally i think it symbolizes the type of year that we had as a football program," Holmes said.
Under Holmes' leadership, the Irish ran for over 6200 yards this season with a three headed monster attack of JaQues Evans, Zion Kemp and Marcus Adams. Evans was named 2A Offensive Player of the Year after putting up 2,531 yards and 40 touchdowns.
Defensively Player of the Year honors went to Romello Height. Who'll be joining the Auburn Tigers next year after being a terror at the defensive end spot.
Holmes said the state championship will be held dear to Dublin for years to come.
"It gives everybody in this community a tremendous source of pride. And it's not to be overlooked that your community support your administration's support goes a long way into making these things obtainable," Holmes said.
Here's a full list of Central Georgia All-State selections. HM is an Honorable Mention:
1A-PUBLIC
JAMORRI COLSON, WR, IRWIN COUNTY
JYQUEZ MARSHALL, DL, IRWIN COUNTY
D.J. LUNDY, LB, IRWIN COUNTY
DESMOND TISDOL, LB, WILCOX COUNTY
MARTEZ THROWER, LB, WILCOX COUNTY
GABRIEL BENYARD, DB, IRWIN COUNTY
PATRICK TUKES, DL, TELFAIR COUNTY (HM)
P.J. WRIGHT, DL, JOHNSON COUNTY
QEONTAVIOUS IVEY, LB/RB, HANCOCK CENTRAL (HM)
GARLAND BENYARD, LB/RB, IRWIN COUNTY (HM)
KAM WARD, LB/RB, IRWIN COUNTY (HM)
1A-PRIVATE
DEXTER WILLIAMS, QB, MOUNT DE SALES (HM)
2A
JAQUES EVANS, RB, DUBLIN (OPOY)
ROMELLO HEIGHT, DL, DUBLIN (DPOY)
ROGER HOLMES COACH OF THE YEAR
JABARI BROOKS, OL, WASHINGTON COUNTY
TY MCRAE, OL, DUBLIN
AMARIUS MIMS, BLECKLEY COUNTY
SHAMARCUS POOLE, RB, WASHINGTON CO. (HM)
MARCUS ADAMS, DB/RB, DUBLIN (HM)
DEONDRE DUEHART, RB/LB, NORTHEAST (HM)
DAYLON GORDON, RB, DODGE COUNTY (HM)
BRYCE BAILEY, ATH, BLECKLEY COUNTY
3A
JAYLON BARDEN, WR, WESTSIDE
TERRENCE FERGUSON, OL, PEACH CO.
SERGIO ALLEN, LB, PEACH CO.
TALIQUE ALLEN, DB/WR, PEACH CO. (HM)
VICTOR DIXON JR, QB, WESTSIDE (HM)
NOAH WHITTINGTON, RB, WESTSIDE (HM)
4A
BRENT CARR, WR, WEST LAURENS
SPENCER DACUS, DL, WEST LAURENS
D’ERYK JACKSON, LB, WEST LAURENS
ZAAHIR SALAHUDDIN, RB/LB, BALDWIN (HM)
5A
JONTAVIS ROBERTSON, WR, JONES COUNTY (OPOY)
JALEN ADDIE, QB, WARNER ROBINS
CONNER GRIFFIN, OL, JONES COUNTY
AHMAD WALKER, LB, WARNER ROBINS
JALON SHINE, DL, VETERANS (HM)
MANASSEH THOMPSON, OL, WARNER ROBINS (HM)
HUNTER COSTLOW, QB, JONES COUNTY (HM)
MALEEK WOOTEN, WR, JONES COUNTY (HM)
MARCAYLL JONES, WR, WARNER ROBINS (HM)
6A
WESLEY STEINER, LB, HOUSTON COUNTY