Troup’s Hudson is region’s top player
Published 11:44 pm Tuesday, November 6, 2018
By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY
Daily News
The Troup Tigers didn’t have many question marks coming into the season, but one of them involved the quarterback position.
Montez Crowe was one of the state’s most prolific quarterbacks last season, and in his final game, he threw for more than 400 yards in a 43-35 loss to St. Pius X in the second round of the state playoffs.
As head coach Tanner Glisson and the other coaches began making plans for the 2018 season, they had to decide who the new quarterback would be.
Glisson decided that Kobe Hudson, a star wide receiver in 2016 and 2017, was the man for the job.
That, it turns out, was a wise decision.
Hudson has enjoyed a spectacular season, and his good work hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Hudson has been named the Region 5-AAAA player of the year, and he beat out some extremely talented players for that honor.
Hudson has thrown for more than 2,500 yards with 25 touchdowns, and he also has more than 800 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns.
Hudson is one of 19 Troup players who earned a spot on the all-region team.
Eight Troup players, including Hudson, were first-team all-region players, three Tigers were second-team selections, and eight team members were of the team were honorable-mention picks.
Hudson earned his player-of-the-year honor with a masterful regular season.
Before last week’s loss to Cartersville, Hudson had at least one rushing touchdown and one passing touchdown in every game.
That streak ended against Cartersville, although he did have a 4-yard scoring run in the third quarter.
During one memorable two-game stretch, Hudson threw for 537 yards against Chapel Hill, and he ran for 251 yards against Sandy Creek.
Hudson became the first high-school player in the history of the state to have a 500-yard passing game and a 200-yard rushing game in the same season, and he did it in a span of eight days.
“Montez broke all the Troup passing records. He left here as the all-time passing leader in Troup history,” Troup head coach Tanner Glisson said. “To be as efficient as we are, and to be sitting in the position he has put us in, number one hats off to (Hudson), and secondly you have to take a hard look at our quarterback coach, coach (Paul) Brewer, and our offensive coordinator Kelby Holt, and you’re only as good as your offensive line, and your receivers, and the people around you.”
Some of the people Hudson has been throwing the ball to this season also made the all-region team.
Joko Willis, who leads the team in receptions and is second with six touchdowns, is a first-team all-region player, as is senior Jamari Thrash, who leads the way with nine touchdowns.
Ja’Rell Smith, who has four touchdown catches, was a second-team all-region player, and tight end Luke Purnell was an honorable-mention pick.
Trey Williams, who is second on the team in rushing to Hudson, is also an honorable-mention pick.
Three of Troup’s offensive linemen made the all-region team, including senior Gabe Hubbard, who made the first team.
Junior Michael Irvin made the second team, and Hunter Bass is an honorable-mention pick.
Troup’s defense is also well-represented on the all-region team.
Among the first-team players is defensive lineman King Mwikuta, a senior who plans on signing with Alabama.
Also making the first team are a pair of Troup linebackers, Kevin Martin and Devon Hill.
Earning a second-team nod are defensive lineman Andy Boykin and defensive back Alonzo Ogletree, and defensive lineman Kaliff Thornton, defensive back Nick Ligon and defensive back Jace Godwin are honorable-mention picks.
ALL-REGION PLAYERS
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Kobe Hudson – Quarterback
FIRST TEAM
Joko Willis – wide receiver
Jamari Thrash – wide receiver
Gabe Hubbard – offensive lineman
Trey Williams – kick returner
Kevin Martin – linebacker
Devon Hill – linebacker
SECOND TEAM
Michael Irvin – offensive lineman
Andy Boykin – defensive lineman
Alonzo Ogletree – defensive back
HONORABLE MENTION
Helsyn Martinez – kicker
Nick Ligon – defensive back
Jace Godwin – defensive back
Kaliff Thornton – defensive lineman
Mark Anthony Dixon – kick returner
Trey Williams – running back
Luke Purnell – tight end
Hunter Bass – offensive lineman
Ja’Rell Smith – wide receiver
