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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

Nine Chilton County football players secured their spots on the 2023 Alabama Sports Writers Association All-State football teams after the announcements were made just before Christmas.

Players were nominated by their coaches, and they were voted on by the ASWA’s Prep Committee.

Two players, Chilton County High School’s Demarcus Riddick and Maplesville High School’s Johnathan Wilson, were selected as first-team members on their respective teams.

Riddick, one of the top-ranked linebacker recruits in the nation for 2024 and an Auburn University commit, was selected to the Class 6A first-team as an athlete. In his natural position at linebacker on defense, Riddick made 92 tackles (48 solo) with 12 coming for a loss, three sacks and one interception returned for a touchdown. He also stepped into the Tigers’ offense on occasions when he was needed to give them a spark.

“He made plays for us on both sides of the ball, and he showed his athleticism that I know he can bring to the next level,” former CCHS head coach Marvin Morton said.

Wilson’s season landed him in the top 10 of interceptions in the State of Alabama with eight in the senior’s final season playing for the Red Devils. A rangy, experienced player who played both wide receiver and defensive back in 2023, helped Maplesville advance to the third round of the AHSAA Class 1A state football playoffs. He added 51 and a half tackles to his totals as well.

“We were expecting him to have a great senior year because he has been a guy that has been a part of our program for so long, and he did an outstanding job on defense being a leader for us,” Maplesville head coach Brad Abbott said.

Maplesville sophomore wide receiver, and Brad Abbott’s son, Aidan Abbott was named to the Class 1A Second-Team All-State Offense after making 38 catches for 617 yards and 13 touchdowns.

“For a sophomore to get Second-Team All-State, I was happy for him as an individual and proud of him as his dad,” Brad Abbott said. “Aidan is a big body, and he likes to catch balls in contact, and somehow he is able to find the end zone a lot of the time.”

Chilton County’s Justin Godwin led the four players who made Second-Team All-State capturing a spot at defensive back on the Class 6A Second-Time All-State Defense. Godwin had 75 tackles (42 solo), five interceptions with one returned for a touchdown and forced three fumbles.

“It says a lot making All-State as a junior, and in a tough position at defensive back which I feel like is one of the more challenging positions in football,” Morton said. “He is a two-year starter there, and I am very proud of him. He has worked his tail off, and he is one I could trust defending the other team’s best wide receiver.”

The Tigers’ D.J. Caffey was the final CCHS All-State selection earning an honorable mention on the Class 6A team. Caffey ranked in the top 25 in the state with 141 tackles (49 solo), and added three sacks and two interceptions.

“With D.J. and Demarcus, I see a bright future for them at the next level,” Morton said. “With Justin, I think he will continue to improve through his senior year and see what doors open for him.”

Both Chilton County Class 2A schools had two representatives each on the teams, starting with Grayson McManus and Coden Cummings from Thorsby High School. McManus earned an athlete spot on the Second-Team All-State Offense after posting 1,117 rushing yards on 143 carries and 13 touchdowns, and throwing for 1,026 yards on 63-for-116 passing and nine touchdowns. McManus also made an impact on the Rebels defense piling up 91 tackles (36 solo) and grabbing one interception.

Cummings was named an honorable mention on the Class 2A All-State teams after 1,159 rushing yards on 116 carries and 15 touchdowns. On defense, he made 73 tackles (39 solo) and four interceptions.

“Any time you have some players on there it is good to see,” Davis said. “It is a hard deal to get in to, and there are not many spots to get with a bunch of people trying to get them.”

Isabella High School’s Kaden Tuttle was selected to the Class 2A Second-Team All-State Defense as a defensive back after snagging multiple interceptions throughout the season while helping anchor the back of the Mustangs’ defense. Junior defensive lineman Noah McMinn was named an honorable mention for the Mustangs as well after an impressive year up front.

 

2023 Alabama Sports Writers Association All-State Selections

Class 6A

First-Team All-State, Defense

Athlete — Demarcus Riddick, CCHS, Senior

Second-Team All-State, Defense

Defensive Back — Justin Godwin, CCHS, Junior

Honorable mention

Linebacker — D.J. Caffey, CCHS, Senior

 

Class 2A

Second-Team All-State, Defense

Defensive Back — Kaden Tuttle, Isabella, Sophomore

Athlete — Grayson McManus, Thorsby, Junior

Honorable mention

Running back — Coden Cummings, Thorsby, Senior

Defensive Line — Noah McMinn, Isabella, Junior

 

Class 1A

First-Team All-State, Defense

Defensive Back — Johnathan Wilson, Maplesville, Senior

Second-Team All-State Offense

Wide Receiver — Aidan Abbott, Maplesville, Sophomore