CENTRE — Former local high school football standouts Coty Blanchard, Hershel Houston, Will Miller, Jamie Hampton and Josh Moten joined the likes of former Etowah running back  Carnell “Cadillac” Williams on the Gadsden Times All-Decade football team.    

Blanchard, last year’s Mr. Football in Alabama, received the nod as the starting quarterback on the team. Blanchard led the Cherokee County Warriors to a 15-0 record during his senior season and the 4A state championship. Blanchard was a punishing runner and precision passer with exceptional arm strength. He was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles but turned down the offer to remain at Jacksonville State University to play football and baseball. Blanchard is expected to see action this fall for the Gamecocks as a punter and possibly receive some offensive series at quarterback.  Blanchard’s finished his varsity career at Cherokee County with 6,948 passing yards and 75 touchdowns while rushing for 2,381 and finding the end zone an additional 38 times on the ground.

Joining Blanchard as a starter on the First Team All Decade is Warrior offensive lineman Will Miller. At 6’5” and 265 lbs., Miller was a crushing run blocker and dependable pass protector, often occupying multiply defensive lineman. Miller, a Georgia Tech graduate, garnered First team All-State honors in 2005.   

Also on the team is Josh Moten from Cedar Bluff.  In 2002 Moten became Alabama’s all-time leading receiver. As a result of his stellar performance, Moten was named the Class 1A Back of the Year. He picked up numerous other honors including being a First Team All State selection.  Moten’s sure hands, accurate routes and breakaway speed made him a threat that drew a minimum of double coverage from most defenses. Moten went on to a career at JSU.     

Named as an honorable mention selection at quarterback was former Cedar Bluff standout Jamie Hampton. Hampton was a First Team All State performer in 2006, when he led the Tigers to 13-2 record and a berth in the Class 1A state final against Sweet Water. The versatile Hampton displayed a rifle arm, exceptional speed and a mature pocket presence.  The former Cedar Bluff star is now at Troy.  Look for Hampton to see playing time this season against the likes of Oklahoma State (Sept. 11) and the University of South Carolina (Nov. 20).   

Cherokee County’s Hershel Houston was named to the honorable mention list of offensive honorees as an athlete. Houston was a First Team All State athlete as a junior in 2005, when the Warriors finished with a stellar 13-2 record. Houston was deceptively quick and nearly impossible to bring down one-on-one. 

OFFENSE

QB - Coty Blanchard, Cherokee County

RB - Carnell Williams, Etowah

RB - Anthony Ash, Litchfield

RB - Demont Buice, Gaston

WR - Josh Moten, Cedar Bluff

WR - LaDonte Harris, Litchfield

TE - Kendric Cook, Etowah

OL - Kevin Thornton, Gadsden

OL - Will Miller, Cherokee County

OL - Mario Ragland, Litchfield

OL - Cody Short, Gaston

OL - Chris Graben, Fyffe

ATH - Drew Phillips, Boaz

K - Blake Campbell, Gaston

DEFENSE

DL - Jamison Wadley, Etowah

DL - Michael Gibson, Litchfield

DL - LeRoy Davis, Sardis

DL - DeAngelo Ross, Gadsden

LB - Jazz Johnson, Litchfield

LB - Jerrell Harris, Gadsden City

LB - Barry Smith, West End

LB - Kyle Garmon, Sardis

DB - Dre Kirkpatrick, Gadsden City

DB - DeAngelo Marbury, Litchfield

DB - Kerry Major, Gaston

DB - Brad Roberson, Ashville

ATH - Jamare Mathis, Litchfield

P - Patrick Tatum, Sylvania

HONORABLE MENTION

OFFENSE

Quarterbacks: A.J. Milwee, Boaz; Jamie Hampton, Cedar Bluff; Jake Ball, Hokes Bluff

Running Backs: Will Wright, Sardis; Miguel Hurtado, Oneonta

Wide Receivers: Muggsy Howard, Southside; Kendall Kelly, Gadsden City

Tight Ends: Collin Jarbo, Gaston; David Sigler, Albertville

Offensive Linemen: Mark Sanders, Ashville; Seth Taylor, Etowah

Athletes: Donnell Horton, Etowah; Herschel Houston, Cherokee County

Kicker: Jesus Garcia, Etowah

DEFENSE

Defensive Linemen: Fred Carter, Gadsden City; Andrew Ridgeway, Fort Payne; Reginald Marbury, Litchfield

Linebackers: Greg Myrick, Glencoe; Renza Avery, Gadsden; Jake King, West End

Defensive Backs: Alex Wright, Litchfield; Jake Zook, Gaston

Athlete: Derrick Orr, Collinsville