McCray earns first team all-state honors

McCray earns all-state honors

By Josh Boutwell

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Enterprise senior athlete Josh McCray was named to the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s Class 7A All-State First-Team.

It was the first time McCray has earned first-team honors but his second time being named to the all-state team in his career after earning second-team honors in 2018 as a sophomore.

This is the first time an Enterprise player has captured first-team honors since punter Andrew Osteen and cornerback Marcus Jones were named to the 2016 first-team. Both Osteen (Central Florida) and Jones (Houston) are playing at the FBS level in college.

McCray picks up all-state honors after a senior season in which the 6-foot-2-inch, 230-pounder did a little bit of everything for the Wildcat offense. McCray spent time at slot receiver, outside receiver, wing-back, running back, fullback and even served as the quarterback in the “single wing” offense. He was also Enterprise’s most dynamic kick returner, as well.

In total, McCray piled up 1,819 all-purpose yards this season with 19 total touchdowns. He rushed for 774 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground, averaging seven yards per carry, along with catching 28 passes for 440 yards and six touchdowns through the air. He also completed two passes for 35 yards and returned 19 kickoffs for 570 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged a gain of 12 yards every time he touched the ball in 2020.

McCray is rated as a three-star recruit and one of the Top 80 seniors in Alabama with college offers from a number of schools, including Arkansas, Kentucky, Ole Miss, South Carolina and Tennessee from the SEC. He also holds offers from Washington State and Troy.

McCray was the only player from the Wiregrass to be named to Class 7A’s All-State team.

Brantley receiver Kenuwyn Dixon, offensive lineman Carson Jones and defensive lineman Bo Cook earned Class 1A First-Team All-State, while quarterback Tucker Kilcrease, offensive lineman Cole Welch and linebacker Gunner Glisson earned second-team honors.

Class 2A had several Wiregrass stars represented. Abbeville quarterback Martavious Glanton, receiver Randy Glanton and defensive lineman Arthur Thomas were named to the first-team, while offensive lineman Ky’Juan Kinsey earned second-team honors and head coach LaBrian Stewart was named Class 2A Coach of the Year. Abbeville athlete Jayven Anderson also earned honorable mention.

Geneva County running back Emmanuel Henderson was named to the Class 2A First-Team and linebacker Will Birdsong earned honorable mention. Luverne wide receiver Nikki Taylor Jr. also earned Class 2A Honorable Mention.

G.W. Long kicker Tanner Patton and athlete Kobie Stringer were also named to the Class 2A First-Team, while Ariton offensive lineman Tuff Hand picked up a second-team nod.

In Class 3A, Opp quarterback Hal Smithart and defensive lineman Cole Jennings earned first-team honors, while receiver Peyton Ellis and defensive back Kevin Parreira received honorable mention.

Slocomb running back Jaylen Nobles and defensive back Brody Campbell also earned first-team honors in Class 3A, while Rashawn Miller Jr. was named second-team athlete and offensive lineman Jarrett Hendrix received honorable mention.

Wicksburg linebacker Zeke Kelley was named to the Class 3A Second-Team.

In Class 4A, defensive lineman Christian Ross was named to the second-team.

Andalusia kicker Gage Theus earned Class 5A First-Team honors, while defensive lineman Chip Morgan was named to the second-team and athlete Jake Wilson received honorable mention.