By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–There was plenty of Purple and Gold on the 2021 All Region 7-2A football team.
Senior center Carter Bondurant was named the league’s Lineman of the Year for the second year in a row, and five other Union City players landed spots on a star-studded list from a region that produced Class 2A state champion Westview and two other teams with seven or more wins.
The Golden Tornadoes were one of those squads and landed seniors Kyrell Littleton and Evan Alexander, juniors Hayden Kennedy and Gage Smith, and sophomore Jacob Arnold on the all-region unit.
“Individual honors come with team success, and these guys were recognized because of many of the things we were able to accomplish as a program,” UC head coach Nick Markle said. “I know that each one of them would trade any personal accolade for more team success and playoff wins, but they were all well-deserving of the honor.
“The best part is that they all represent our program, our school and our community in a first-class way. I’m proud to be their coach.”
Bondurant received one of six superlatives determined by a vote of league coaches.
His physical plan and veteran presence anchored an offensive line that averaged 267 rushing yards per game, averaging 5.3 yards per play.
Bondurant also spent some time on the defensive side of the ball at tackle and was in on 19 tackles, including a pair for lost yards.
Littleton continued a Golden Tornado tradition by rushing for more than 1,000 yards – marking the ninth straight season a Union City running back has accomplished that feat.
He recorded five 100-yard rushing games and ended up with 1,005 yards and a team-high 12 touchdowns, averaging 6.1 yards-per-rush.
Defensively, he was second on the team in tackles with 55 from his secondary post. Eight of his stops were behind the line, a quarterback sack included.
Smith topped the seasonal tackle chart with 103 total takedowns, leading the Tornadoes for the second time in as many years as a starter. He recorded 13 tackles for minus-yards, including four sacks. Smith also had a team-best three fumble recoveries.
Alexander, like his classmate Bondurant, was a valuable member of the Tornado offensive and defensive lines and turned in a solid senior campaign.
Defensively, he recorded 23 stops at end. Five of those were behind the line of scrimmage. He had two sacks and was credited with a number of quarterback pressures.
The versatile Kennedy rotated at several spots along the offensive line and did good work at linebacker, too, where he finished third on the seasonal tackle chart with 54 total tackles. In all he had seven stops for lost yards and recovered a pair of fumbles.
Arnold made his mark as a scatback and in the secondary, showing considerable promise in both roles.
He was No. 2 on the team in rushing with 396 yards, averaging 8.8 yards-per-attempt while scoring four TDS. His one pass reception went for 79 yards and a score.
On defense, he had a hand in 46 tackles, ranking fifth on the team. Arnold also had a fumble recovery and an interception.
Class 2A Mr. Football Award winner Ty Simpson of state champion Westview, was named Most Valuable Player in the region, with Charger linebacker Hayden Smith and Huntingdon Mr. Football finalist Aden Hutcherson chosen as Defensive and Offensive MVPs, respectively.
A complete list is as follows:
2021 All Region 7-2A Football Team
Region MVP: Ty Simpson (Westview)
Offensive MVP: Aden Hutcherson (Huntingdon)
Defensive MVP: Hayden Smith (Westview)
Lineman of the Year: Carter Bondurant (Union City)
Kicker of the Year: Jackson Abel (Westview)
Coach of the Year: Jarod Neal (Westview)
All-Region Team
Westview Huntingdon Union City Camden
Javion Goins Cade Wood Kyrell Littleton Karson Goodwin
Drew Shanklin Blake Reeves Evan Alexander Will Dobson
Omarion Harris Darius Gordon Hayden Kennedy Jonathan Stockdale
Garner Anderson Landon Gordon Gage Smith Tucker Jackson
Quincy Hamilton Elijah Flowers Jacob Arnold
Quindarian Johnson CJ Pelonero
Micah Daniels
Gibson County Houston County
Jay Allen Andrew Meadow
Ethan Turner Case Jones
Ethan Hutchinson