Southside’s DeQuan Johnson headlines a list of local football players named to the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s All-State team.

Johnson was named to the class 3A first team after scoring 27 touchdowns and leading the Panthers to their first playoff appearance in a decade. It’s the second straight year Johnson has made the class 3A team.

Johnson’s teammate Edward Moore also made the all-state team after intercepting seven passes this year. The Southside defense went from giving up 42 points per game in 2015 to only 24.1 in 2016 and Moore and the Panthers’ secondary played a large role in that.

Dallas County tight end Paul Daniels made the second team in class 5A. This is the third consecutive year Daniels, a standout blocker and pass catcher, has made the team. He was an honorable mention in 2014 and was first-team in 2015.

Keith linebacker Ky’Woine Thomas was named an honorable mention in class 2A. He had 95 tackles this season, three sacks and six tackles for loss.

Class 1A state champion Maplesville had six players on the team. Running back Terence Dunlap, wide receiver Nathaniel Wilson, offensive lineman Tyrone Davis, linebacker Timothy Bradley  and defensive lineman Tristen Thetford made the 1A first-team from the Red Devils. Defensive lineman Kevin Mims was named second-team all-state.

Although no Morgan Academy players made the all-state team, the Senators did have a connection in the coaching ranks. Former Morgan coach Bob Taylor was named the Alabama Independent Schools Association coach of the year after leading Lowndes Academy to an 8-3 record this year.