Bearcats named on All-Region 1-AAAAA teams

Published 4:12 pm Tuesday, January 7, 2020

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Nine Bearcats were named to the All-Region 1-AAAAA team, including linebacker Amari Peterson, who took home the region’s Defensive Player of the Year award.

Peterson recorded 97 tackles this season, 70 of them solo, to tie the team. Peterson also led the team in sacks with 6 and had 9 hurries, 20 tackles for loss and 2 fumble recoveries.

First team Offense

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Listed on the offensive first team All-Region are quarterback Quayde Hawkins, running back Rashad Broadnax, wide receiver Braxton Johnson, tight end and long snapper Jackson Wheeler and guard Lawson Chandler.

Hawkins was 135-of-265 for 1,791 passing yards in the 2019 season. He recorded 16 touchdowns with only 4 interceptions, becoming the all-time leader in attempts-completions-yards for Bainbridge.

Broadnax led the region in regular season rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. He had 131 carries for 915 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also had 12 receptions for 72 yards and another 75 yards in punt/kick returns.

Johnson led the Bearcats in receptions and yards with 42 catches and 544 yards. He scored 4 touchdowns.

Wheeler was a key blocker on the edge this season, despite missing the first four games due to injury.

Chandler was the highest graded lineman for the Bearcats, an intelligent player and one of the top athletes in the weight room, according to coaches.

First team Defense

Gracing the defensive first team All-Region list is linebacker Tevin McCray and linebacker Tahari Tate.

McCray had 97 tackles (60 solo) this season, tying with Peterson for top tackler on the team. He had 4 sacks, 7 pressures and an interception for a touchdown.

Tate had 89 tackles (71 solo) and 31 tackles for a loss. He also had 4.5 sacks and 14 hurries. Tate was a force to be reckoned with on special teams, blocking 7 punts/kicks, three of which were returned for touchdowns.

Second team offense

Center Conner Priest was named on the offensive second team All-Region list. He was a consistent player throughout the 2019 season, according to coaches, and brought senior leadership to the team.