Central coach, Tigers, Gore players honored on All-District A-8 football team

The Central Tigers had a historic 2023 football season in which they went 12-1, 10-0 in the regular season, captured the District A-8 championship and made it to the Class A state quarterfinals for the first time in school history.

District A-8’s top individual awards went to several Tigers — as well as several Gore Pirates, who were the district’s runner-up team and finished with a record of 9-3 and made it to the second round of the Class A playoffs.

Central coach Jeremy Thompson was named the District A-8 Coach of the Year for guiding the Tigers to an undefeated district season and the crown.

Central running back Coy Blackburn was named the Offensive Player of the Year, while defensive lineman Josh Marino was named the Co-Defensive Player of the Year.

Central quarterback Joseph Lee was named the Quarterback of the Year, while linebacker Tyler Busch was named the Co-Linebacker of the Year with Gore’s Devon Mannon.

Central’s Easton Girty and Gore’s Caden Cowan were named Co-Defensive Linemen of the Year.

Gore’s Layne Ward was named the Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year, while defensive back Hunter McGee was named the Co-Defensive Back of the Year. Gore QB Tate Brooksher was named the Newcomer of the Year.

The Tigers had 11 players named to the All-District Team — Cade Tucker, Xhaiden Mosby, Cole Holcomb, Aiden Sainer, Mekko Ariza, Connor Green, Derek Young, Hunter Pack, Isaac Rogers, Gibby Mitchell and Ethan McKinney.

Six Pirates also were named to the first team all-district — Jagger Moore, Bladin McCartney, Journey Shells, Ayden Cox, Chester Abercrombie and Dayton Smith.