STREET CREW: Guntersville quarterback leads all-Marshall team
By TAYLOR BECK, Sports Editor
Selections to the 2025 All-Marshall County Football Team were recently announced, and this year’s squad is stacked with star-studded playmakers from every corner of the county.
Overall MVP
Headlining the All-County selections, Guntersville senior quarterback Street Smith earned the county’s Overall MVP after piecing together an incredible season and leading his team to a 9-2 record. Smith totaled 2,169 yards and 31 touchdowns, completing 127 of 188 passes for 1,748 yards and 17 scores, while adding 421 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground.
Offensive MVP
Boaz’s workhorse senior running back Presley Fant claimed Offensive MVP, racking up 1,637 total yards and 24 touchdowns, including 1,395 rushing yards on 242 carries. He also added 242 yards receiving and two TDs as the Pirates’ offensive centerpiece.
Presley Fant of Boaz had 24 touchdowns and averaged more than 100 yards per game to earn Offensive MVP honors. BENTLEY GRAY PHOTOGRAPHY l For The Leader
Defensive MVP
Defensively, two dominant edge rushers shared top honors. Guntersville senior Kalun Cobb earned Co-Defensive MVP with 108 tackles, nine sacks, 10 tackles for loss, two picks, a blocked punt and a defensive touchdown. Arab senior Jon Loden joined him, posting 67 tackles, 19 TFLs, 11 sacks, 14 pressures and two fumble recoveries.
MVP athlete
A trio of multi-dimensional standouts split Co-MVP Athlete honors.
Albertville junior Taliq Saint excelled on both sides with 20 catches for 340 yards and four TDs, plus 56 tackles and three interceptions — all in just six games.
Douglas sophomore Baker Lyles delivered one of the most complete seasons in the county, amassing 1,753 total yards and 25 touchdowns while recording 92 tackles and an interception. He threw for 981 yards and 10 TDs and added 765 rushing yards and 15 more scores.
DAR sophomore Hayes Esslinger powered the Patriots’ offense with 250 carries for 1,407 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Most Outstanding Lineman
The county also recognized excellence in the trenches.
Douglas senior Myles Mahan and Arab senior Stafford Willis earned Co-Most Outstanding Lineman, tallying 24 and 41 pancakes, respectively.
Special Teams MVP
Guntersville kicker-punter Brandon Manganaris took home Special Teams MVP, going a perfect 43-for-43 on extra points, hitting seven field goals (long of 44), averaging 49 yards per punt with a 70-yard long, and delivering 40 touchbacks on 57 kickoffs.
Coach of the Year
Guntersville head coach Lance Reese was named Coach of the Year after guiding the Wildcats to another dominant 9-2 season. Reese’s career mark now sits at 137–46 overall and 54–8 in county play — a testament to his long-term consistency and championship expectation.
Guntersville quarterback Street Smith throws a touchdown pass Sept. 12 in the Wildcats’ win at Sardis. Smith threw 31 touchdowns in 2025 to lead the Wildcats to the Class 5A state playoffs, and he earned MVP honors on the all-Marshall County team. SPECIAL TO THE LEADER
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