Callaway players dominate all-region team

By Kevin Eckleberry

kevin.eckleberry@lagrangene

HOGANSVILLE – He did it all.

During his time as a Callaway High football player, Dylan Johnson was a defensive standout, he was a punter, and most notably, he was a play-making quarterback who led one of the state’s most dynamic offenses.

As a senior, Johnson started all 14 of Callaway’s games at quarterback, and he enjoyed a remarkable season in helping lead his team to a 13-1 record and a spot in the Class AA final four.

After his sensational senior season, Johnson was selected as the Region 5-AA player of the year.

Callaway, which won the region championship with a perfect record, had 18 players on the all-region team.

Joining Johnson on the team was fellow senior Braylon Sanders, who was picked as the specialist of the year after his extraordinary season.

Junior running back DJ Atkins was the offensive player of the year, Michael Freeman won the region’s ironman award, and Keegan Woods was the all-region snapper.

Other first-team players were offensive linemen Keiondre Jones and John Curtis, defensive lineman Lichon Terrell, linebacker Jonathan Leonard, and defensive backs Courtney Williams and Dominic Copeland.

Second-team players were offensive lineman Dominic Carter, fullback Jibrell Jackson, wide receiver DQ Wilkerson, kicker Noah Stephens, defensive lineman Jamie Sellers, linebacker Qua Hines and defensive back Kobe Jackson.

Johnson played parts of the 2014 and 2015 seasons at quarterback after other players went down with injuries, but he took every meaningful snap at that position this year.

Johnson was phenomenal.

He threw for more than 1,700 yards with 25 touchdowns and just three interceptions, and he set single-season school records for touchdowns and yardage.

He was at his best in the playoffs, and that included a five-touchdown performance in the first round against Model.

Johnson’s shining moment came in the quarterfinals against Screven County, though, when he led the team on a 98-yard touchdown drive in the closing moments.

On the final play of that epic drive, Sanders completed a 47-yard touchdown pass to Sanders on fourth down to lift his team to a 35-34 victory.

Johnson completed 10-of-17 passes for 269 yards with three touchdowns in that game.

The man that Johnson threw that game-winning scoring pass to, Sanders, was one of the state’s best players.

He had 16 touchdown catches, including two in that memorable Screven County game, and he finished the year with more than 40 catches, and he eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards in the final game against Benedictine.

Sanders also had a kickoff return for a touchdown against Screven County, he returned a fumble for a touchdown in an earlier playoff game, and he threw three scoring passes.

Atkins had his way with opposing defenses, running for more than 2,000 yards with 14 touchdowns.

Freeman was given the ironman award because of the excellence he displayed while rarely leaving the game.

Freeman was the Cavaliers’ leading tackler from his linebacker position, and he was also a play-making tight end who twice in a game had two touchdown catches.

Woods was honored as the region’s top snapper, and he was also a staple on a dominant defensive line.

The all-region offensive linemen, Jones, Curtis and Carter, helped give Johnson time to throw, while opening up big holes for Atkins to run through.

Also on offense, Jackson was a blocking machine from his fullback position, and he was also an effective runner who scored multiple touchdown, and Wilkerson was a big-play wide receiver who had a scoring catch against Screven County.

On defense, Freeman, Leonard and Hines were part of a formidable group of linebackers, Terrell and Sellers were dominant defensive linemen, and Williams, Copeland and Jackson were ball-hawking defensive backs

SportsPlus

News

City of LaGrange Animal Shelter Joins BISSELL Pet Foundation for Spring Empty the Shelters Event

News

Granger Park to host fifth annual Lupus Walk

News

CONTRIBUTOR’S VIEW – Cathy Hunt: If You Have FOMO, I Suggest JOMO

News

New Regional Director for Troup-Harris Memorial Library

News

CONTRIBUTOR’S VIEW – Lynn Gendusa: The Final Score

News

LaGrange considers renaming road for longtime employee

News

Annual Master Gardener Plant Sale and Artisan Market Returns

News

DON’T BE DEAD RIGHT: NAACP and TCSS host a community forum on safe police encounters

News

Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center Announces New Chief Operating Officer

News

CONTRIBUTOR’S VIEW – Dick Yarbrough: Waiting to be Included on Defense Secretary’s Next Chat

News

Spring Artisan Market brings makers and fun to LaGrange

News

CONTRIBUTOR’S VIEW – Dean Collins: Behold, a King Will Reign in Righteousness

News

PHOTOS: Fourth annual Spring Artisan Market

News

PHOTOS: Fifth Annual Celebrate Recovery Car and Bike Show in downtown Hogansville

News

Troup County’s 2025 Comprehensive Plan Public Meeting Schedule

News

Ribbon cut on the newest segment of The Thread

News

Young Singers find peace, understanding in ‘Love and War’

News

Tyeisha Middlebrooks named CHS valedictorian

News

CONTRIBUTOR’S VIEW – Loran Smith: UGA Hall of Fame

News

Heart of West Georgia recognizes George Bailey at annual golf tournament

News

CONTRIBUTOR’S VIEW – Dean Collins: From End to Beginning: Seeing the Whole Story of God

News

City of LaGrange to Update Comprehensive Plan, Seeking Community Input

News

THS holds Mr and Miss Troup High School Scholarship Competition

News

CONTRIBUTOR’S VIEW – Loran Smith: Paul Cramer edits