Marianna's Battles first-team Class 2A all-state

Bradley Battles had the kind of breakout season that commanded attention.

Coach Rob Armstrong’s Wing-T attack at Marianna propelled Battles to a career year and a first-team selection on the Florida Sports Writers Association Class 2A all-state football team, released Tuesday.

Battles, a 5-foot-11, 190-pound junior fullback in his first season as a workhorse, was second in the area with 2,093 yards rushing and scored 19 touchdowns. He was named to the first team in the utility slot. Teammate Brandon Gardner (5-11, 175) made the first-team defense as a punter after averaging 42 yards.

The Class 2B teams also were released, with Bozeman’s first-ever all-stater included. Junior linebacker Paul Myers (6-2, 205) had 112 tackles, including 17 for loss, and was named to the second-team defense. Myers also was named The News Herald’s Bay County defensive player of the year in his first season with the Bucks after transferring from Wewahitchka.

Blountstown linebacker and LSU commitment Ryan Baker (6-2, 220) made the first team at linebacker following a senior season in which he had 122 tackles.

Chipley receiver Paul Hardwick (6-2, 175), who had 900 yards, 24 yards per reception and seven touchdowns, and Tigers quarterback Zach Schaubhut (6-3, 205), second in the area with 1,949 yards passing and tops with 25 touchdowns, made the second-team 2B offense.

Vernon running back Gio Works (6-0, 185) also made the second-team offense. He had nearly 1,800 yards of total offense, including 1,014 rushing, and 19 total touchdowns.

Vernon quarterback Josh Boyett (6-0, 175), with an area-leading 2,098 yards passing and 23 touchdowns, and Yellow Jacket wide receiver Markel Andrews (6-2, 170), who had 618 yards receiving and seven touchdowns, were named honorable mention.