One week after being named the Shelby County Coach of the Year, Ryan Herring was named the state’s Class 5A Coach of the Year by the Alabama Sports Writers Association.

Herring led the Shelby County Wildcats to a 10-0 regular season and its first region championship in Class 5A. The Wildcats fell to Demopolis in the second round of the state playoffs to finish the year 11-1.

One of the secrets to Herring’s success was his run game and offensive line.

“It all starts with the guys up front,” Herring said. “I knew we were going to have a decent offensive line. I knew we had strong kids up there. Then you add in a 6-foot-2, 200-pound fullback (Darion Sutton) and to me it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand (that we should run the ball).”

Anchoring that line was senior Patrick Morse, one of five offensive lineman across Alabama named to the Class 5A All-State Team.

Other All-State selections were Briarwood defensive end Walker May in 5A, Calera offensive lineman D’Antwone King in 4A, Montevallo quarterback Kevin Callender in 3A, Vincent linebacker Juwan Rogers in 2A and Shelby Academy defensive end Bobby Sexton.

Honorable mention selections by class were:

6A — Pelham wide receiver Shawn Lynch, Spain Park offensive lineman Jesse Grisham and Pelham safety Alvin Hines

5A — Briarwood safety turned punter Ben Bracewell.

2A — Vincent defensive back Brett Frizzell.

AISA — Shelby Academy linebacker Chad King.