With the Friday night lights in the rear-view, it is now time to announce the 2023 All-Cov News football team. The awards and teams are filled with Newton county-area players who had strong seasons.
There are 33 players among Alcovy, Eastside, Newton and Social Circle that received All-Cov honors for the 2023 season.
The staff at The News took all of the 2023 accomplishments from each player and selected a team. Leading the team are five special awards: Most Valuable Player, Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, and Coach of the Year. There are first team honorees as well with each program receiving an honorable mention.
Most Valuable Player - Marcus Calwise
Marcus Calwise is the All-Cov News Most Valuable Player for the 2023 season. Calwise played the majority of his snaps at wide receiver but the senior did it all for the Rams in his final year. Calwise's ability to make plays at multiple different positions on the field became crucial for Newton and its hunt for the playoffs. Calwise earned First Team honors for Region 4-AAAAAAA at wide receiver.
Offensive Player of the Year - Zion Johnson
Zion Johnson is the All-Cov News Offensive Player of the Year. Johnson was the catalyst for the Newton offense in 2023. The junior followed up his sophomore year with a strong junior campaign on the ground. Johnson was named to the First Team All-Region honors for Region 4-AAAAAAA at running back.
Defensive Player of the Year - Jacorey Jackson
Jacorey Jackson is the All-Cov News Defensive Player of the Year. Jackson was the face of Eatside’s front seven in his senior season. Jackson’s ability to get to the quarterback and stopping the run earned him First Team honors for Region 8-AAAAA.
Newcomer of the Year - Marion Eubanks Jr.
Marion Eubanks Jr. is the All-Cov News Newcomer of the Year. In his first year playing football for the Eagles, Eubanks made key plays on both sides of the ball. Eubanks ended the year leading the team in touchdown receptions and interceptions. After the season, Eubanks was named as to the First Team All-Region offense and defense for Region 8-AAAAA.
Coach of the Year - Jay Cawthon
Jay Cawthon is the All-Cov News Coach of the Year for the 2023 season. Cawthon led the Eagles to their third consecutive postseason berth with him at the helm while increasing their win total from last year. The Eagles finished with a 5-1 record in region play. Cawthon led the Eagles to the second round of the Class AAAAA playoffs.
OFFENSE
QB - Deron Benson
Yds: 1842 TD: 22 Cmp%: 0.637
RB - Kemoi Burke
Second Team All-Region for Region 3-AAAAAA
RB - Jayden Barr
Region 8-AAAAA Two-Way Player of the Year
RB - Kam Durden
Region 5A-Division I All-Region Offensive Team
WR - Keon Davis
First Team All-Region for Region 4-AAAAAAA
WR - Jude Nelson
Region 5A-Division I All-Region Offensive Team
WR - Bernard Johnson
Region 3-AAAAAA Honorable Mention
OL - Anjaven Pressley
Second Team All-Region for Region 4-AAAAAAA
OL - Censere Wright
Honorable Mention for Region 4-AAAAAAA
OL - Jonathan Crockett
Second Team All-Region for Region 3-AAAAAA
OL - Tagen Brown
Region 8-AAAAA All-Region Offensive Team
OL - Carlton Belgrave
Region 8-AAAAA All-Region Offensive Team
DEFENSE
DL - Camron Newton
Region 3-AAAAAA Honorable Mention
DL - Ryshawn Perry
Region 4-AAAAAAA Defensive Player of the Year
DL - Wayne Patterson
Second Team All-Region for Region 4-AAAAAAA
LB - Bristol Evans
Region 5A-Division I All-Region Defensive Team
LB - Christian Gass
Region 8-AAAAA All-Region Defensive Team
LB - Bailey Benson
Region 8-AAAAA All-Region Defensive Team
LB - Jehden Robinson
Second Team All-Region for Region 4-AAAAAAA
DB - Zack Harden Jr.
First Team All-Region for Region 4-AAAAAAA
DB - Ephraim Wright
First Team All-Region for Region 4-AAAAAAA
DB - Bernard Lackey
First Team All-Region for Region 3-AAAAAA
DB - Kalen Stapp
Region 8-AAAAA Honorable Mention
SPEC - Samuel Velasquez
Second Team All-Region for Region 4-AAAAAAA
Honorable Mentions
Taylor Richardson (Alcovy)
Region 3-AAAAAA Honorable Mention
Anquez Cobb (Eastside)
Region 8-AAAAA All-Region Offensive Team
Jamarcus Pressley (Newton)
Second Team All-Region for Region 4-AAAAAAA
Jameccus Hardge (Social Circle)
Region 5A-Division I All-Region Defensive Team
