Gautier Gators sweep top honors on All-Region team after winning district championship
Region 4-5A has had a different champion in each of the last three seasons. It’s latest throne-holder is the second in that span to reach the state championship.
And for its successes, Gautier is rightfully well-honored in the coaches All-Region team. The Gators swept all four of the district’s awards and placed four more on the All-MVP teams.
Here’s the full list of those selections, including the All-Region picks.
Coach of the Year
Marc High, Gautier
No surprise here. Gautier won its first district championship since 2008 and has tied the program’s winningest season with 12 wins.
The Gators have won 11 games in a row, are a perfect 6-0 in one-score games and are representing the Mississippi Coast in the 5A state championship game after winning the school’s first-ever South State title.
Player of the Year
Trey Irving, Gautier
Irving is the clear winner out of the region after already taking home 5A Mr. Football honors. The senior quarterback has made his first full season count, leading the offense to a 35.2-points per game clip.
Irving has thrown for over 2,700 yards and 21 touchdowns. His elusiveness separated him on the field, however. Irving is leading his team with 1,006 rushing yards and another 22 touchdowns on the ground.
Offensive Player of the Year
Kainen Rush, Gautier
Rush was Irving’s favorite target throughout the year. The speedster caught 56 passes his senior season for 878 yards and nine touchdowns.
The senior had three 100-yard receiving games, including 113 yards on eight catches in a first round playoff win over Natchez. Rush contributed on special teams as well with 208 kick return yards and an 80-yard return touchdown.
Defensive Player of the Year
Fred Nicholson, Gautier
The senior Southern Miss signee had an explosive season from his inside linebacker position. Nicholson has over 140 tackles this season to lead the Gators.
Nicholson has four interceptions, three forced fumbles and showcased the lightning burst with four blocked kicks. He’s also the team’s longsnapper.
All-MVP Offense
- QB Zander Howard, Stone
- QB Jacob Bowles, Wayne County
- RB Kyle Capers, Vanleave
- RB Taye Guyton, East Central
- RB Hunter Harper, Vancleave
- RB Kylan Burnett, Stone
- WR Sebastian Gonzalez, Gautier
- WR Daylan Moore, Vancleave
- WR Zechariah Jenkins, Laurel
- WR Tyrease Estes, Wayne County
- TE Marquise Leverrette, Wayne County
- Hip/Flex/FB Omar Boykin, Wayne County
- OL Dalton Toothman, Vancleave
- OL Noah Boyd, East Central
- OL Jerry Young, Gautier
- OL Jordan Marin, Stone
- OL Kylen Lindsey, Laurel
- OL Demarcus Jones, Wayne County
- ATH Kasin Thomas, Gautier
- K Rony Gonzalez, Wayne County
All-MVP Defense
- DL Colton Ladner, Stone
- DL Brayden Jackson, Gautier
- DL Jayden Pitts, Wayne County
- DL Jakir Jimison, Laurel
- LB Tommaj Harris, Laurel
- LB Tedja Evans, Wayne County
- LB Scottie Toothman, Vancleave
- LB Braden Williams, Stone
- DB Favian Dawkins, Stone
- DB Jamel Abney, Laurel
- DB Emorien Leverrette, Wayne County
- DB Jayden Collins, Stone
- Ret KJ Galloway, Stone
- P Aiden Guinn, Stone
- LS Hunter Scarbrough, Wayne County
All-Region Selections
Gautier
- LB Denzel Larkin
- LB Gabe Millender
- K Eric Robinson
- OL Jerry Lara
- OL Tarrence Mitchell
- WR DJ Garrett
- RB Latrell Pogue
- DB Kingston McNeil
Stone
- H Deandre Smith
- OL Tucker Brooks
- OL Spencer Martin
- WR Avyon Stringfield
- DL Dylan Sigman
- DL Heath Ladnier
- LB Dalton Stringer
Wayne County
- DL Amari Howard
- OL Noah Guy
- OL Kam Porter
- TE/DL Cortez McDonald
- FS Elijah Cooley
- WB Zemetrice Denson
Vancleave
- WR/DB David Harris Jr
- DL Trenton McNeer
- LB/FB Aiden Hall
- OL Rhafe Johnston
Laurel
- TE Kori Dotson
- LB RJ Ward
- DL Skylar Jones
- RB Desmond Hosey
East Central
- FB Cale Hollinghead
- DL Jacob Deangelo
- LB Matthew Combs
