By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Four offensive linemen, a two-way standout and a promising junior who’ll take on a bigger role next season highlighted Union City’s six selections on the All Region 7-2A football team.
Alex Rodriguez, Carson Corley, DJ Gray and Neil Brown — who paved the way for the Tornadoes to rush for nearly 4,200 yards in 12 games — were among the picks, made by a league-wide vote of coaches.
Quarterback/safety Sam Theobald, the triggerman for UC’s potent triple-option offense and also the leading tackler for the Purple and Gold during the recently-completed season, also earned all-region honors.
So, too, did slot/cornerback Wes Tilghman, who had several highlights in the Twisters’ 7-5 campaign and is ticketed to take over at quarterback next season for Union City.
“All those guys were deserving,” Tornado head coach Darren Bowling said of his squad’s all-region choices. “They worked extremely hard and took great pride in being a Union City High School football player. And it showed with their performances.
“We’ll certainly miss the four who’ll graduate and have been with our program for several years. But we’re excited about the two who’ll be coming back with a great deal of experience. A lot will be expected of them next year.”
Unbeaten region titleist Trenton, which repeated as the Class 2A state champions this past weekend, had seven selections for the all-region squad and claimed five of the six superlative awards.
Included among that lot were Most Valuable Player, Cooper Baugus (also named 2A Mr. Football); Best Offensive Player, Noah Halbrook; Best Defensive Player, Jerrel Dickson (also BlueCross Bowl MVP); Kicker of the Year, Isaiah Hicks; and Coach of the Year, Shane Jacobs.
Union City rode its potent offense to a league runner-up finish, averaging more than 33 points and over six yards-per-play while making the second round of the state playoffs for the ninth consecutive year.
Rodriguez, Corley, Gray and Brown were a major reason for the Twisters’ offensive prowess as the team rushed for 300 yards or more in 10 of its 12 games – highlighted for a 463-yard showing against Gibson County and a 409-yard outing vs. Dyersburg.
Tackles Rodriquez and Corley, along with Gray at center, are seniors. Brown, a tackle, is a junior and will return for his fourth season as a starter in 2020.
Theobald put together a complete season on both sides of the ball in his final prep campaign, earning The Messenger-Obion County Prep Player of the Year in the process.
He rushed for 1,161 yards and 16 TDs, averaging 6.8 yards-per-carry. Theobald also proved to be an adequate passer when UC went to air, completing 50 percent of his 28 attempts for 346 yards and two more scores.
Defensively, he was that unit’s quarterback, too, from his safety spot. He recorded a team-best 61.5 tackles, including 44 solos, while also snagging a club-best four interceptions.
Tilghman, a junior with big-play capabilities on both sides of the ball, ran for 459 yards (7.7 ave.) and seven TDs. He was also Union City’s top receiver with seven catches for 124 yards and another score.
On defense, Tilghman was fifth on the team with 41.5 tackles and had a pair of interceptions.
ALL REGION 7-2A FOOTBALL TEAM
TRENTON (7): Cooper Baugus, Noah Halbrook, Jarel Dickson, Jacquez Wilkins, Rafe Hannah, Logan Whittemore, Eli Hammonds
UNION CITY (6): Sam Theobald, Alex Rodriguez, Neil Brown, DJ Gray, Carson Corley, Wes Tilghman
McKENZIE (5): Kyle Maxwell, Witt Mitchum, Micah Austin, Chris Barnett, Logan Lyles
ADAMSVILLE (4): Lathan Morris, Brodie Austin, Blake Buntyn, Cody Infield
GIBSON CO. (3): Jake Patterson, Adam Smithson, Kaleb Johnson
HALLS (2): Ty Bucker, Joseph Meeks
SUPERLATIVES
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Cooper Baugus ‑ Trenton
BEST OFFENSIVE PLAYER: Noah Halbrook – Trenton
BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Jerrel Dickson – Trenton
BEST LINEMAN: Witt Mitchum ‑- McKenzie
KICKER OF THE YEAR: Isaiah Hicks ‑- Trenton
COACH OF THE YEAR: Shane Jacobs – Trenton