St. Al puts seven on all-district first team

Published 8:57 am Thursday, November 17, 2016

A late-season surge by St. Aloysius helped it make the playoffs and win a share of the District 3-AAA championship. Apparently, it also made an impression on the district’s coaches.

The Flashes put seven players on the All-District 3-AAA first team, and offensive tackle Ben Brown was named the league’s Most Valuable Lineman.

Wide receiver Brandon Teller, running backs Jamar Williams and Connor Bottin, quarterback Antonio Thompson, offensive lineman Garrett Breithaupt, defensive back Jake Pierce and linebacker Jaylen Whitaker were all picked to the first team.

Email newsletter signup

Sign up for The Vicksburg Post's free newsletters

Check which newsletters you would like to receive
  • Vicksburg News: Sent daily at 5 am
  • Vicksburg Sports: Sent daily at 10 am
  • Vicksburg Living: Sent on 15th of each month

Thompson, a sophomore, threw for 1,003 yards and 11 touchdowns and also ran for 923 yards and seven scores. The senior Williams rushed for 1,017 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also 65 tackles on defense while playing linebacker.

Whitaker led the team with 80 tackles, while Pierce had 76.

Five other players — defensive back Donald Woodson, linebackers Landon Middleton, Justin Ehrghott and Garrett Vincent, and wide receiver Tyler Lewis — made the second team.

St. Al started the season with seven consecutive losses, but won its last three to make the playoffs and get a piece of the district title for the third year in a row.

“I thought it represents how well we did in the district and getting a share of the district title. Those guys had a good year,” St. Al coach BJ Smithhart said.

About Ernest Bowker

Ernest Bowker is The Vicksburg Post's sports editor. He has been a member of The Vicksburg Post's sports staff since 1998, making him one of the longest-tenured reporters in the paper's 140-year history. The New Jersey native is a graduate of LSU. In his career, he has won more than 50 awards from the Mississippi Press Association and Associated Press for his coverage of local sports in Vicksburg.

email author More by Ernest