Tony Amerson had an incredible record-setting year on offense for Saint James.

CJ Person had an incredible record-setting year on defense for Catholic.

As the five coaches in the Capital City Conference pondered a selection for player of the year, the biggest decision facing them was how to separate the pair, which separately led their respective teams to the second round of the state playoffs but did not face each other this season.

Person, arguably the best defensive player in the city at any classification, had a school-record 11.5 sacks and a school-record 36 tackles for loss this past season for the Knights. His 100 tackles are the most in school history for a defensive lineman.

Amerson, arguably the best offensive player in the city at any classification, rushed for 5,092 yards in his career, the most ever in city history. He had 2,222 yards this season for the Trojans, another school record, and set records for longest kickoff return (96 yards vs. Beulah), most rushing touchdowns in a game (5 vs. Bullock County), and all-purpose yards in a season (2,480). His 27 touchdowns are one shy of the school record he set last year.

“He’s had several good years back to back, so he’d be tough to vote against,” Alabama Christian coach Nate Sanford reasoned. “My vote wouldn’t be a vote against either of them.”

So when the voting was complete, the coaches had chosen an all-Capital City Conference team and ultimately chose Saint James coach Jimmy Perry as the coach of the year, but could not decide between Person and Amerson, selecting both as co-players of the year.

Amerson was one of five Trojans selected to the all-conference team, along with tight end Mike Shalayda and offensive lineman Jake Prickett, linebacker Alex Whisenhunt and defensive back Colin Duncan.

“No one has ever rushed for as many yards as he has, at any level, in the city of Montgomery or the surrounding area,” Perry said. “He set all those records but it was never about him, it was about us doing what we needed to do to win. He came to practice with a ‘game’ mindset every day. He never took a day off at practice. I think that’s what made him the player he was.”

Person was one of eight Knights selected to the team, along with offensive linemen Cred Thomas and Thomas McLaughlin, tailback Darrell Gibson, fellow defensive lineman Cole Faucheux, linebacker Drew Smith, defensive back Derrick Parker and punter Michael Russo.

“He is the total package,” Catholic coach Aubrey Blackwell said. “He’s put in 30 hours of community service, he’s got a 3.7 grade-point average, a 25 on his ACT and he’s done it all without a mother or father, just his grandmother. I cannot not vote for him because I know where he’s come from. And with the lack of resources he has had and to still do what he’s done is incredible. He was voted the team captain unanimously. Every single kid on my team voted for him to be the captain. I’ve never seen that happen. That maturity level he has is really incredible. There are a lot of times when he would get more attention when he spoke than even my coaches because the kids have so much respect for him.”

Person and Amerson both were first-team selections a year ago, along with Alabama Christian quarterback Reece Solar, Montgomery Academy receiver and defensive back Nate Meacham and Duncan.

Catholic’s eight first-team selections led the team that was selected by the coaches. Alabama Christian was second with six players selected, followed by Saint James, Montgomery Academy and Trinity, all with five.

Of the 29 players selected, 21 were seniors, seven were juniors and one – ACA receiver Jalen Clark – was a sophomore.

ALL-CCC Football Team

WR – Nate Meacham, 5-11, 155, Sr., Montgomery Academy

WR – Jalen Clark, 6-1, 175, So., Alabama Christian

WR – Will Robertson, 6-1, 175, Jr., Montgomery Academy

WR – Jack Singletary, 5-9, 140, Sr., Trinity

TE – Mike Shalayda, 5-11, 161, Jr., Saint James

OL – Jake Prickett, 5-7, 238, Sr., Saint James

OL – Jackson Duke, 6-1, 205, Sr., Alabama Christian

OL – Bracken Osmer, 6-0, 225, Sr., Trinity

OL – Cred Thomas, 6-0, 220, Sr., Catholic

OL – Thomas McLaughlin, 6-1, 210, Sr., Catholic

TB – Tony Amerson, 5-10, 215, Sr., Saint James

TB – Darrell Gibson, 5-9, 171, Jr., Catholic

QB – Trey Lindsey, 6-1, 175, Sr., Montgomery Academy

Athlete- Reece Solar, 6-2, 210, Sr., Alabama Christian

PK – Bradley Westhauser, 5-10, 170, Sr., Montgomery Academy

DL – Jeff Flowers, 6-0, 225, Sr. Alabama Christian

DL – C.J. Person, 6-2, 285, Sr., Catholic

DL – Cole Faucheux, 6-0, 290, Sr., Catholic

DL – Watkins Johnson, 5-11, 195, Jr., Trinity

LB – Alex Whisenhunt, 5-10, 163, Jr., Saint James

LB – Brian Wilson, 6-0, 195, Sr., Montgomery Academy

LB – Dawson Locklier, 6-0, 195, Sr., Alabama Christian

LB – Drew Smith, 5-8, 182, Sr., Catholic

DB – Alex Harmon, 5-9, 150, Sr., Alabama Christian

DB – Colin Duncan, 5-11, 170, Sr., Saint James

DB – Thomas Ladner, 5-8, 155, Jr., Trinity

DB – Derrick Parker, 6-0, 170, Sr., Catholic

Athlete – Thomas Hargrove, 5-10, 195, Sr., Trinity

P – Michael Russo, 5-11, 160, Jr., Catholic

Co-Player of the Year: CJ Person, Catholic

Co-Player of the Year: Tony Amerson, Saint James

Coach of the Year: Jimmy Perry, Saint James

Honorable mention: Tyler Britton, LB, Sr., Trinity; DJ Carter, WR, So., Catholic; Will Chandler, OL, So., Trinity; Cam Holmes, DL, Jr., Montgomery Academy; Josh Hynniman, DB, Jr., Trinity; Thomas Kirkham, OL, So., Montgomery Academy; Britton Kohn, DB, So., Montgomery Academy; Mac Main, DB, Jr., Montgomery Academy; Miller McCarthy, LB, So., Alabama Christian; Matt Prater, OL, Jr., Saint James; Will Whiddon, DL, Sr., Saint James; Bradley Woodham, DL, So., St, James; Brock Woodham, DB, Jr., Saint James; Will Wright, OL, So., Alabama Christian.