As we have done each of the previous two seasons, we cap our 2023 awards with the third-annual 615 Preps Iron Brigade team, presented by Python Line Sets.

This group of 11 players is a selection of some of the area’s most talented players who play both offense and defense. Ironman football, while now only confined to the high school game and seemingly in less usage with each passing year, still embodies the spirit of the prep ranks when the best players didn’t leave the field.

The 11 players selected this season proved to be invaluable to their teams – every team represented reached at least the second round of their respective classes’ playoff brackets, though that wasn’t necessarily a requirement for selection. And eight of the 11 competed on BlueCross Bowl championship weekend.

After poring through stats, coach nominations, and our observations, we landed on the 11 players below, with several more being highly considered for inclusion as well. However, after careful consideration, we chose to not repeat last year’s format of having a second team and instead went back to our original rule of only taking 11 players in our coverage area of 90 teams across all classifications.

Of the 11, at least four must play a lineman spot on either side of the ball. This makes our Iron Brigade team one of, if not the most exclusive teams to be named for a postseason award in our area.

The stats listed were provided by teams or listed on various team websites.

Here are the 11 players, in alphabetical order, making up the third-annual Iron Brigade team in the 615 Preps coverage area:

Kelan Anderson

Running back/linebacker

East Nashville, Soph.

Although he transferred to Westlake (Ga.) following the season, Anderson left quite an impression and impact for the Eagles during his sophomore season in 2023. On offense, he ran for 1,145 yards and 19 touchdowns, the last of which became the first 99-yard touchdown run in BlueCross Bowl championship game history. Defensively, he racked up 101 total tackles, three sacks, and an interception which he returned for a touchdown.

Car’Lando Barton

Offensive line/defensive line

Friendship Christian School, Jr.

Barton’s tackling prowess was on full display in 2023 with 87 total tackles, 26 tackles for a loss, and nine sacks to go along with two forced fumbles for the Commanders. Offensively, he helped anchor an offensive line that paved the way for 3,984 rushing yards during the season, which ended up with a runner-up finish in Division II-Class A.

Javier Gaspar

Offensive line/defensive line

Smith County, Sr.

The 6-foot-4, 340-pound Gaspar anchored Smith County’s fronts in 2023, as the Owls racked up 3,769 yards of total offense, including 1,938 rushing yards. On defense, he had 34 tackles, two sacks, and 14 tackles for a loss. He also kicked for the Owls, converting 21-for-28 on extra points, and hit one of two field goal attempts.

Elijah Groves

Wide receiver/defensive line

East Robertson, Sr.

Groves, who signed with North Carolina State, won Class 2A Mr. Football and helped the Indians to their first-ever BlueCross Bowl appearance with 85 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss, four forced fumbles, and four interceptions on defense. Offensively, he caught 30 passes for 506 yards and six scores and added another touchdown on the ground.

Crews Law

Running back/linebacker

Christ Presbyterian Academy, Sr.

The North Carolina signee was the Division II-Class AA Mr. Football winner and helped the Lions win the state championship. Law finished with 90 tackles, 9.5 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, and a forced fumble on defense. On offense, he scored on one-fourth of his rushing attempts, with 56 carries for 460 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Jesse Perry

Offensive line/defensive line

Middle Tennessee Christian School, Sr.

Perry anchored the Cougar lines in leading MTCS to its first-ever BlueCross Bowl appearance and state championship victory. Perry had 43 tackles (14 solo), four tackles for a loss, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery on defense. On the offensive side, the Cougars as a team rushed for 4,197 yards overall.

Jacob Rathbone

Offensive line/defensive line

Page, Soph.

As a sophomore, Rathbone had a penchant for serving up pancakes – he had 22 pancake blocks to his name in 2023, helping the Patriots rush for 2,301 yards as a team. Defensively, he had 24 tackles, three tackles for a loss, and four quarterback hits for the Patriots as they finished runner-up in Class 5A for the third consecutive year.

Dominic Reed

Running back/linebacker

Centennial, Sr.

Reed was a Mr. Football finalist in Class 5A after helping lead the Cougars to the state quarterfinals. He finished with 862 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns on 66 attempts, an average of 13.1 yards per carry. On defense, he racked up 90 total tackles, 18 tackles for a loss, three sacks, five pass breakups, and two forced fumbles.

Zeion Simpson-Smith

Running back/linebacker

Pearl-Cohn, Sr.

Simpson-Smith’s 2023 season ended in an ideal manner as he helped the Firebirds to their first state title since 1998. A Mr. Football finalist in Class 4A, he rushed for 997 yards and 16 touchdowns on 75 carries. Defensively, he piled up 122 tackles (78 total), 34 tackles for a loss, six sacks, four forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries.

Logan Whisenant

Offensive line/tight end/fullback/defensive line/linebacker/safety

Hendersonville, Sr.

Whisenant proved his versatility in 2023, lining up at multiple positions on both sides of the ball, including fullback, tight end, linebacker, and safety. Regardless of his location, he found himself around the ball often on defense, with 78 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks, and a fumble recovery. His blocking ability helped the Commandos advance to the second round of the 5A playoffs, where they fell at Henry County by four points.

Tyson Wolcott

Running back/linebacker

Friendship Christian School, Sr.

Wolcott was a Mr. Football finalist in Division II-Class A after setting the state record for rushing touchdowns in a season with 54, as well as rushing for 3,027 yards for the Commanders. Defensively, he made 77 tackles, 23 tackles for a loss, two sacks, a fumble recovery, and an interception.