There were several standout performers on the gridiron during the 2023 high school football season.
To highlight those individuals for their efforts, we are releasing the Tyler Morning Telegraph All-Rose Country Football Team.
2023-24 TYLER MORNING TELEGRAPH ALL-ROSE COUNTRY FOOTBALL TEAM
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Rickey Stewart, Chapel Hill, junior, running back: The four-star running back had another big season for the Bulldogs. He carried the ball 271 times for 2,856 yards and 40 touchdowns, leading Chapel Hill to the Class 4A Division I championship game. He also had 18 catches for 284 yards and four touchdowns. For his career, Stewart has 630 carries for 6,098 yards and 64 touchdowns with 28 catches for 400 yards and six touchdowns.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Chauncey Hogg, Malakoff, senior, wide receiver: The Trinity Valley signee was a key component on the Tigers’ Class 3A Division I championship team. Hogg had 87 catches for 1,048 yards and 12 touchdowns. He had six carries for 116 yards and four touchdowns. He was 1 of 1 passing for 21 yards. In the state championship game, he caught both touchdown passes. Defensively, he had 40 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 forced fumble, 9 interceptions and 20 passes broken up; As a returner, he had four kickoff returns for 162 yards and a touchdown and 20 punt returns for 462 yards and a touchdown.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Da’Veon Ross, Chapel Hill, senior, linebacker: The Missouri State signee was a big part of a defense that helped the Bulldogs go 13-3 and reach the Class 4A Division I championship game. Ross had 172 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, eight sacks, three quarterback hurries, three pass breakups, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
CO-OFFENSIVE NEWCOMERS OF THE YEAR
Kavian Bryant, Palestine Westwood, freshman, quarterback and DeMarrion Brown-Johnson, Tyler Legacy, freshman, offensive line:Bryant and Brown-Johnson made an immediate impact on the varsity level as freshmen and will be two of the faces of East Texas football for the next few years. Bryant was 158 of 231 for 2,282 yards and 33 touchdowns with seven interceptions. He also had 78 carries for 812 yards and nine touchdowns, leading the Panthers to a 9-3 record and a trip to the second round of the playoffs. Brown-Johnson started at left tackle at the Class 6A level for the playoff-qualifying Red Raiders and was a second-team All-District 10-6A selection. Brown Johnson, who is 6-7, 300 pounds, already has offers from Tennessee, Texas Tech, Houston and North Texas.
DEFENSIVE NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Brett Wells, Troup, freshman, linebacker: Wells was a two-way contributor for the Tigers as a rookie. Wells had 93 tackles, eight tackles for loss, five passes broken up, one interception, one sack, one forced fumble and two blocked kicks. He was the District 9-3A Division II Defensive Newcomer of the Year. He also had 149 carries for 1,155 yards and 10 touchdowns as a running back, and he had 10 catches for 158 yards and two touchdowns.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Jamie Driskell, Malakoff: Driskell led Malakoff to a 16-0 record and the Class 3A Division I championship, the program’s first state championship. Jamie Driskell just finished his 15th year as head coach at Malakoff, compiling a record of 158-35 with 15 playoff appearances and nine district championships. Malakoff has advanced to the playoffs and won at least eight games in every season since Driskell took over in 2009. The Tigers are 31-14 in the postseason under Driskell.
FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
Wide receiver: David Phillips, Bishop Gorman, junior: 41 catches, 832 yards, 9 touchdowns.
HONORABLE MENTION
DEFENSE
Defensive back: Colton Richards, Brook Hill; Aiden Barnett, Rusk; Bricion Griffin, Rusk; Alijah Frances, Rusk; Conlan Lemay, Frankston; Julious Brewer, Athens; Brett Horn, Athens; Bryce Wallum, Tatum; Judson Dotson, West Rusk; Noah Hill, Bullard; Marquette Martin, Tyler; Matthew Ross, Tyler Legacy; Sir Christian Johnson, Tyler Legacy; Kebraylon Jackson, Tyler Legacy; Jaylen Fields, Tyler Legacy; Manuel Lozano, Bishop Gorman