ALL RIVER REGION TEAM: Holmes, Shook lead top local players from 6A-7A
Pike Road’s Jordan Holmes was named the 2025 River Region Class 6A/7A Player of the Year by local coaches. (File Photo)
By TIM GAYLE
Pike Road’s offense faced the challenge of rebuilding its offensive line from the previous year while its top running back fought off nagging injuries. But the Patriots always knew they had an offensive spark whenever they needed one and often opened games with Jordan Holmes in a Wildcat look to take an early lead on opponents.
“Central Alabama is loaded with elite talent -- SEC, Power 4 talent,” Pike Road coach Granger Shook said. “There are kids from this area that are playing on Sundays now. Jordan Holmes is that kind of talent. He is elite. Every coach in the city, every coach in the state, knows who he is. He’s a great young man who practices hard every day and has a great attitude and is a great leader for us.”
Holmes missed the final two playoff games with a knee injury, but rushed for 479 yards and 11 touchdowns on 41 carries and caught 26 passes for 395 yards and five touchdowns. He averaged 13 yards every time he touched the ball and scored a touchdown every four times he touched the ball.
As spectacular as Holmes was on offense, he wasn’t the only threat. With Gunner Gibbs at quarterback and Ole Miss signee Ja’Michael Jones at tailback, Holmes shared Wildcat duties with Braylon Outlaw and Miles Khatri, cutting into his touches this season.
“All of those guys are elite players, but that’s what makes football the great team sport that it is because they all bring something different to the table and all work hand in hand,” Shook said.
Holmes, a Kennesaw State signee who was signed as a defensive back, might have been even better on defense, recording 40 tackles, five tackles for loss, five interceptions and eight pass breakups. As a shutdown corner, he allowed just one reception this season at his position.
River Region coaches in Class 6A and 7A recognized Holmes’ ability, naming the senior as the River Region Player of the Year. Shook was the All-River Region Coach of the Year for the third consecutive year.
“I’m excited, proud and happy for Jordan Holmes and his family,” Shook said. “He’s worked his butt off to get this recognition and I’m looking forward to watching him play college football for a long, long time.”
Carver quarterback Zion Crumpton was named the River Region 6A-7A Offensive Athlete of the Year, while Outlaw was named the River Region 6A-7A Defensive Athlete of the Year.
“He is, hands down, one of the best football players in this state,” Shook said of Outlaw. “Every coach that went against us said that Braylon Outlaw was the best defensive player they had seen all year. He just took over games because he’s so multiple -- he can play safety, linebacker, nickel, he can rush the passer from a standup position. He’s going to play football for a very, very long time.”
Jones made the all-River Region first team for the third straight year while Outlaw and Holmes made the first team in 2024 and 2025, along with Stanhope Elmore offensive lineman Macin James, Carver offensive lineman LaRodney McQueen, Prattville kicker Paxton Genola, Stanhope Elmore defensive back Joidaden Carter-Stone and Carver defensive back Camare Jackson.
2025 6A-7A RIVER REGION FOOTBALL TEAM
Player of the Year: Jordan Holmes, 5-11, 175, Sr., Pike Road
Coach of the Year: Granger Shook, Pike Road
OFFENSE
Offensive Player of the Year: Zion Crumpton, 6-2, 170, Sr., G.W. Carver
WR -- Kaleb Ballard, 6-5, 210, So., Wetumpka
WR -- Deshawn Hall, 6-5, 195, Jr., Prattville
WR -- Omari Smith, 5-9, 165, Sr., Pike Road
TE -- John Hudson Wingard, 6-3 225, Sr., Wetumpka
QB -- Charlie Skipper, 6-1, 165, So., Wetumpka
RB -- Damarrian “Dee” Barnes, 5-9, 190, Jr., Stanhope Elmore
RB -- Tristin Blackmon, 6-2, 210, Sr., Prattville
RB -- Ja’Michael Jones, 6-0, 190, Sr., Pike Road
OL -- La’Rodney McQueen, 6-3 270, Sr., G.W. Carver
OL -- Vincent Savage, 6-0, 280, Jr., Pike Road
OL -- Macin James, 6-0, 315, Sr., Stanhope Elmore
OL -- Tommie Blythe, 6-3, 265, Jr., Pike Road
OL -- Maurice White, 6-4, 285, So., Prattville
PK -- Paxton Genola, 6-1, 175, Sr., Prattville
DEFENSE
Defensive Player of the Year: Braylon Outlaw, 6-2, 215, Sr., Pike Road
DL -- Elijah Brown, 6-2, 315, Jr., Prattville
DL -- Kalib Spivey, 6-2, 245, Jr., G.W. Carver
DL -- Jayden Milledge, 6-2, 265, Jr., Prattville
DL -- Keiland Thompson, 5-10, 185, Sr., Wetumpka
DL -- Ricardo ‘Bam’ Parker, 6-2, 300, Jr., Prattville
LB -- Walt Myrick, 5-11, 175, Sr., Wetumpka
LB -- Eric Townsend, 5-11, 210, Jr., Prattville
LB -- Jamares Harris, 6-3, 225, Sr., G.W. Carver
LB -- Miles Khatri, 6-1, 210, Sr., Pike Road
DB -- Damien Dickerson, 5-10, 170, Sr., Prattville
DB -- Joidaden Carter-Stone, 5-10, 170, Sr., Stanhope Elmore
DB -- Kendarius Reynolds, 6-4, 190, Sr., G.W. Carver
DB -- Camare Jackson, 5-10, 160, Sr., G.W. Carver
P -- Andrew Voyles, 6-0 185, Sr., Wetumpka
RS -- Deon Floyd, 5-8, 160, Jr., Wetumpka
Honorable mention: Rufus Boone, LB, 6-1, 215, Sr., Pike Road; Semaj Broaden, DL, 6-1, 185, Sr., P. Julian; Bryson Brooks, DL, 6-2, 270, Jr., Pike Road; Donavan Brown, WR, 5-11, 200, Sr., Prattville; Bobo Browning, DB, 5-10, 165, Sr., Wetumpka; Cyrus Bullock, PK, 5-7, 140, So., Wetumpka; Javier Cano, PK, 5-6, 135, So., G.W. Carver; Jeremiah Chaney, PK, 6-0, 165, So., Julian; Jesse Christiensen, LB, 5-9, 190, Sr., Stanhope Elmore; Jason Crenshaw, LB, 6-2, 210, Jr., G.W. Carver; Fuller Dean, TE, 6-2, 205, Jr., Pike Road; John Espy, PK, 5-7, 132, So., Stanhope Elmore; Gunner Gibbs, QB, 6-0, 165, So., Pike Road; Zach Goodson, DB, 5-11, 165, Jr., Stanhope Elmore; Brayden Graham, WR, 5-11, 170, Sr., Prattville; Tyler Grant, TE, 6-4 180, Jr., G.W. Carver; Joseph Griffin, TE, 6-1, 185, So., Stanhope Elmore; Connor Hall, PK, 5-9, 135, Jr., Pike Road; T.J. Hall, LB, 6-0, 210, Sr., Prattville; Marlo Harris, WR, 5-10, 170, Sr., JAG; Tyler Harris, OL, 5-9 265, Sr., Wetumpka; Orrion Harvest, 6-0, 175, Sr., Julian; Jordan Hill, RB, 5-9, 155, So., Wetumpka; Elias Holtzclaw, WR, 6-0, 170, Jr., Pike Road; Trey Hutcherson, OL, 6-1, 245, Sr., Wetumpka; Watson Kidd, OL, 6-4, 290, Jr., Prattville; Tyi’Quauan Martin, OL, 6-0, 265, Sr., G.W. Carver; Emerson Paulk, DB, 5-9, 150, Sr., Wetumpka; Elijah Peake, DL, 6-2, 290, Sr., G.W. Carver; Tracy Pearson, OL, 6-2, 278, So., Julian; Demone Porter, DB, 6-0, 185, Jr., Julian; Quinton Robinson, RB, 5-9, 170, Jr., Pike Road; Korde Rowser, OL, 6-3, 230, Jr., G.W. Carver; Elex Smeland, PK, 5-6, 105, So., Wetumpka; Mar’Derrion Smith, QB, 5-10, 165, Sr., JAG; Jhaylon Smith, DL, 6-0, 255, Jr., Pike Road; Elijah Tarver, RB, 5-10, 180, Jr., G.W. Carver; Lamarrion Wallace, LB, 5-11, 210, Sr., G.W. Carver; Deondre Washington, WR, 5-10, 175, So., Stanhope Elmore; Braiden Watkins, OL, 6-0 275, Sr., Pike Road; Julius Williams. TE, 6-3, 220, Jr., Pike Road; Mekhi Williams, WR, 5-9, 155, Jr., G.W. Carver; Raymond Williams, OL, 6-0, 170, Sr., Park Crossing; Derrick Wilson, DL, 6-4, 250, Sr., Pike Road.