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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

Thorsby High School’s Malachi Allgood put together a season that ranked in the top 10 in the State of Alabama, and also earned him the 2023 The Clanton Advertiser Defensive Player of the Year.

Thorsby head coach Daryl Davis described Allgood as being a very coachable player, his best asset, which makes him the perfect coach’s player.

“He is a student of the game, and he has a unique ability to see a play unfold one time, and when he sees his keys again he beats the offensive players to the hole,” Davis said. “You either have the instincts to play middle linebacker, or you do not, and he has definitely got them. We saw that early on.”

After an honorable mention for the award last season tallying 158 tackles (31 solo) and one fumble recovery and sack each, the junior stepped up even more in 2023. He posted just five more tackles at 163 in 2023 with nine resulting in a loss on the play, but doubled his solo tackles to 64. His 163 tackles ranked tied for 10th in the state, according to MaxPreps.

Davis said Allgood’s size and stature does not make him the biggest player, but “he plays really big, works out hard, prepares hard and he does all of the little things to be successful that a leader and great player has to do.”

Allgood added new dimensions to his game in 2023 as well, such as getting to the quarterback and forcing turnovers. He had six sacks, six forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and an interception to go along with his top-10 tackling effort.

The Rebels’ defense worked a lot on turnover drills during practice throughout the 2023 season, which helped contribute to Allgood’s ability to create turnovers. Davis said that is attributed to Allgood being able to take in what the coaches are saying and translating it onto the field.

“I can think of one time this year when he went in and ripped the ball out, and it looked just like we were doing the drill in practice. It was picture perfect,” Davis said.

Allgood’s 2024 season will be his final at Thorsby.

 

Honorable mention: D.J. Caffey, Chilton County

Chilton County High School senior linebacker D.J. Caffey had a top-25 tackling season as well, piling up 141 tackles which ranked 22nd in Alabama, according to MaxPreps. Forty-nine of the tackles were solo efforts, and 11 resulted in losses.

“He was just a ball magnet, wherever the ball went he was there,” former Chilton County head coach Marvin Morton said. “He made plays with big time interceptions, sacks for us and he was definitely one of our leaders on the defensive side of the ball.”

Caffey added three sacks and grabbed two interceptions to his totals in 2023.

 

2023 All-Advertiser Team, Defense

Defensive Line: Damian Stafford, Jemison — 49 tackles, three TFL, three sacks, seven QB hurries

Defensive Line: Braden Chapman, Thorsby — 56 tackles (18 solo), three TFL, two sacks

Defensive Line: Bucky Smith, Isabella — 75 tackles (33 solo)

Defensive Line: Ensign Payne, Maplesville — 36 tackles, two sacks

Defensive Line: Blake Hicks, Verbena — 28 tackles, eight TFL

Linebacker: D.J. Caffey, Chilton County — 141 tackles (49 solo), 11 TFL, three sacks, two interceptions

Linebacker: Davion Slaughter, Jemison — 55 tackles, 8 TFLs, one sack, one forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery

Linebacker: Malachi Allgood, Thorsby — 163 tackles (64 solo), nine TFL, six sacks, six forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, one interception

Linebacker: Dawson Edwards, Isabella — 107 tackles (45 solo), one interception

Linebacker: Cade Smith, Maplesville — 66 tackles, two interceptions, one sack

Athlete: Demarcus Riddick, Chilton County — 92 tackles (48 solo), 12 TFL, three sacks, one interception for a TD

Athlete: Grayson McManus, Thorsby — 91 tackles (36 solo), one interception

Athlete: Coden Cummings, Thorsby — 73 tackles (39 solo), one TFL, four interceptions

Athlete: Dre’Von Lee, Isabella — 133 tackles (61 solo), three interceptions

Defensive Back: Justin Godwin, Chilton County — 75 tackles (42 solo), five interceptions (one for TD), three forced fumbles

Defensive Back: Houston Harris, Jemison — 55 tackles, two TFL, two PBU, two forced fumbles, one interception, one QB hurry

Defensive Back: Tyler Mims, Isabella — 142 tackles (42 solo), one interception

Defensive Back: Johnathon Wilson, Maplesville — 51.5 tackles, eight interceptions

Defensive Back: Caleb Short, Verbena — 38 tackles, four interceptions, one return for TD