10 area players land on 3A, 2A all-state teams

Ten area players received recognition on the Class 3A and 2A all-state football teams for the 2022 season, it was announced today.

The teams, called the Blue Bell/Texas Sports Writers Association all-state squads, are selected by sports writers from across the Lone Star State.

James Bowie landed a first-teamer on the 2A team in offensive lineman Clayton Hadley, a 6-3, 190-pound senior. The Pirates also had a third-team selection in running back Lane Johnson (5-8, 170, junior).

Eight area players received recognition on the 3A allstate teams.

DeKalb’s Tyler Hawkins (6-5, 240, senior) and Hooks’ running back Keyshawn Walls (6-1, 215, junior) were named to the second-team elite squad.

Hooks’ punter Michael “Trip” Baysinger III, a 5-9, 155-pound sophomore, was a third-team pick as were DeKalb tight end Xavier Hawkins (6-2, 188, senior) and Paul Pewitt offensive tackle Bralyn Nix (6-2, 275, junior).

DeKalb had two honorable mention selections in quarterback Kaleb Dooley (6-0, 190, senior) and defensive back Conrad Crouch (5-9, 165, senior). They were joined by Hooks center Jake Ledford (62, 255, senior).

Franklin senior running back Bryson Washington and Gunter senior linebacker Ashton Bennett are the players of the year on the superlative award winners on the 3A all-state team.

Washington, who signed with Baylor, rushed for 2,131 yards on 244 carries with 30 touchdowns in leading the 160 Lions to the Division I state title. Bennett had 123 tackles, 15 for loss, and seven quarterback pressures for the 16-0 Tigers who won the Division II state title.

Gunter’s Jake Fieszel was the coach of the year after winning his third title in 16 years.

Timpson quarterback Terry Bussey is the offensive player of the year on the 2A squad while Shiner defensive back Dalton Brooks and Albany defensive back Wyatt Wyndam shared defensive player of the year honor.

Bussey, who also was Dave Campbell’s Texas Football’s player of the year, rushed for 2,596 yards on 184 carries (14.1 average) with 46 touchdowns and the junior threw for 2,177 more yards with 26 touchdowns for the 14-1 Bears, who lost to Refugio in the Division I semifinals.

Brooks, who signed with Texas A&M, had 120 tackles and five interceptions for the 11-3 Comanches. He also rushed for 2,530 yards with 37 TDs. Wyndam, who led Albany to the Division I state title, had 140 tackles and five interceptions for the 14-2 Lions. The junior also broke up 11 passes.

Albany’s Denney Faith was the coach of the year. The longest-tenured coach in the state who came to Albany in 1987 has 344 victories.