Here's a look at the 12 members of The Courier Journal's 2024 first-team All-State football offense, as selected by a statewide vote of coaches.
A total of 121 coaches returned ballots. All statistics are from the Kentucky High School Athletic Association.
Why he's on the team: Ranked second in the state in passing yards (3,766) and completions (379) while making good on 67.8% of his attempts. Also ranked second on the team in rushing (609 yards, 20 TDs) while averaging 6.8 yards per carry. Helped lead the Aces to a 14-1 record and a runner-up finish in the Class 2A playoffs for the second straight year. Also earned first-team All-State honors as a junior and finished career with 11,631 passing yards, 153 passing touchdowns and 48 rushing touchdowns. Named Class 2A Player of the Year and a Mr. Football finalist by the Kentucky Football Coaches Association.
Coach's take: "Brady (Atwell) was a generational talent for us, and his stats were like no other quarterback before him," Jason Morris said. "Brady was a natural leader, and he took his role as starting quarterback very seriously and handled the pressure of this leadership position very well. His ability to run and pass at his God-given size made him almost impossible to completely stop."
Why he's on the team: Led the state in rushing with 3,174 yards and ranked second with 40 rushing touchdowns. He averaged 9.98 yards per carry for a Bulldogs squad that went 9-3 and reached the second round of the Class 4A playoffs. Cavalli Pittman emerged after rushing for 882 yards and eight touchdowns as a sophomore. Named Class 4A, District Two Player of the Year by the KFCA.
Coach's take: "Cavalli is that rare running back who is very physical yet explosive enough to score from long distance," Doug Preston said. "I have been amazed at how many 70-yard-plus runs he made this season. He can do that after carrying the ball as many as 30 or more times in a game. His toughness and endurance are exceptional."
College: Has offers from Austin Peay, Ball State, Cincinnati, Eastern Kentucky, Louisville, Miami (Ohio), Missouri State, Purdue, Southeast Missouri State, Tennessee State and Western Kentucky.
Why he's on the team: Rushed for 1,882 yards and 30 touchdowns while helping the Yellowjackets go 9-4 and reach the third round of the Class 3A playoffs. Also played a significant role on defense with 15 tackles. Finished his career with 7,321 rushing yards, ranking second in Louisville history behind Central's Ace Wales (8,213 yards from 2008-11). Named Class 3A Player of the Year and a Mr. Football finalist by the KFCA.
Coach's take: "The greatest ability is one's availability; this is Cortez Stone's four years of consistency," Marvin Dantzler said. "The main thing was just knowing he was going to show up every day and work. He will be good at whatever he decides to do next because he is an outstanding student. His potential is unlimited."
Why he's on the team: Kentucky's Mr. Football winner did a little bit of everything for a Rebels team that finished 12-1 after falling in the third round of the Class 4A playoffs. Montavin Quisenberry had a team-high 49 catches for 794 yards and also rushed for 882 yards on 79 attempts (11.2 yards per carry). He scored 28 touchdowns: 13 rushing, 13 receiving, one kickoff return and one punt return. Defensively, he posted 31 tackles (19 solo) and a team-best three interceptions. He's a rare three-time first-team All-State pick and was named Gatorade Kentucky Player of the Year and Class 4A Player of the Year and won the Paul Hornung Award from the Louisville Quarterback Club.
Coach's take: "He made plays in all three phases of the game," Justin Haddix said. "He was electric with the ball in his hands and physical from the free safety position on defense. A winner who I expect to play at a high level early at Kentucky."
Why he's on the team: Played a major role in Sayre going 15-0 and winning its first Class A state championship. Brock Coffman won the "Triple Crown" for wide receivers, leading the state in receptions (101), receiving yards (1,530) and receiving touchdowns (27). He also had four returns for touchdowns (three punts, one interception) and posted 77 tackles (25 solo) and five interceptions. Named the Class A Player of the Year and a Mr. Football finalist by the KFCA.
Coach's take: "Brock has developed into a complete player in all three phases of the game," Chad Pennington said. "As a receiver, he is a versatile route runner with great ball skills and range. As a safety, Brock became a physical downhill hitter who also kept offenses from going deep because of his great range and ball skills versus the pass. As a punt returner, he changes the momentum of games with timely returns for big yards or scores."
College: Has offers from Austin Peay, Eastern Kentucky, Gardner-Webb, Miami (Ohio) and Troy.
Why he's on the team: Ranked among the top five in the state in receptions (79), receiving yards (1,327) and receiving touchdowns (22) while helping the Purples go 13-2 and win the Class 5A state title for the second straight season. He also had one kickoff return for a score.
Coach's take: "Trevy Barber might be the most humble player I've ever coached that has the talent he possesses," Mark Spader said. "He quietly works each practice, never complains and will do anything you ask him to do. On game night, his explosiveness is most impressive."
Why he's on the team: Anchored the line for a Male offense that averaged 32.3 points per game and 162.3 rushing yards per game. Also posted 20 tackles (nine solo) and three sacks. A two-time first-team All-State pick, Spike Sowells also was named a Navy All-American.
Coach's take: "He is a relentless blocker who would just dominate players at the high school level," Chris Wolfe said. "He also plays with elite technique and intelligence on the offensive line and expect him to be a high-level center at N.C. State."
Why he's on the team: Ben Stotts was limited to nine games because of an injury but still played a major role in leading the Centurions to a 12-3 record and a third straight Class 3A state championship. Stotts anchored a line that helped CAL average 39.4 points and 402.4 yards of offense per game.
Coach's take: "Ben Stotts has been an absolute force for us on the offensive line," Hunter Cantwell said. "Towering at 6-6 and over 300 pounds, Ben was the quarterback of our O-line and extremely versatile, playing both guard and tackle positions at an exceptionally high level. I expect Ben to have an immediate impact at Austin Peay next year."
Why he's on the team: Gradey Anthony helped the Mustangs go 9-3 and reach the second round of the Class 4A playoffs. North Oldham averaged 33.9 points and 340.8 yards of offense per game. Anthony also played sparingly on defense, posting 10 tackles (six solo).
Coach's take: "Gradey is a great football player but an even better young man," Brock Roberts said. "He works extremely hard and is very coachable. He is a great leader on and off the field and does a great job setting an example for the underclassmen. If you have never seen Gradey play, you would be very impressed with his mobility and agility for his size. Once he can get adjusted to the speed of the college game, I expect him to compete for playing time."
College: Has a bevy of offers, including from Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville, Maryland, Memphis, Michigan, Michigan State, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee and Vanderbilt.
Why he's on the team: Helped the Blue Tornado go 15-0 and win the Class 4A state championship. Offense led the state in scoring (47.8 ppg) and produced 447.7 yards per game.
Coach's take: "Jarvis (Strickland) is a nightmare for opposing defensive linemen," Sean Thompson said. "His length and dog-like mentality make getting to our quarterback a tall task. He is the anchor of our offensive line -- both in pass protection and in the run game."
Why he's on the team: Helped the Spartans go 12-2 and reach the semifinals of the Class 5A playoffs. Offense averaged 37.2 points and 336.6 yards per game. Named first-team All-SKY Conference.
Coach's take: "Cam (Bell) is relatively new to the position but had an immediate impact for us there," Brandon Smith said. "He had a dominant senior year. He has a great combo of size and athleticism. Cam lives and breathes the O-line creed and O-line mentality. He will only continue to get better at the next level."
Why he's on the team: Ranked second in the state with 11 made field goals on 13 attempts. Also converted 65 of 67 PAT kicks for a Flyers squad that went 13-1 and finished as the Class 4A state runner-up.
Coach's take: "He has a strong leg and has made several kicks in several big moments," Eddie James said. "Above that, he is a great teammate and student and will be sorely missed in our program."