(Franklin, GA) — The names of the 2018 All Region 5-AA football teams were released this week and not surprisingly the Heard County Braves amassed a plethora of awards including three of the biggest that were announced.
Senior safety/running back Aaron Beasley, senior defensive lineman Zaylin Wood, and head coach Tim Barron led the way for the Class AA State Champion Braves.

Region 5-AA Overall Player of the Year Aaron Beasley (L) and Region 5-AA Defensive Player of the Year Zaylin Wood (Photo: Tony Wright )
The Region 5-AA Overall Player of the Year Award went to Beasley.
Beasley was force all year-long with very impressive stats on both sides of the ball.
Offensively, Beasley carried the ball 291 times for 1,961 yards and 21 touchdowns.
Defensively, Beasley was again a force in the Brave secondary displaying SEC talent every week.
The University of Tennessee commit tallied 54 tackles and four interceptions including the memorable overtime pick that ended the 38-30 semifinal win over Fitzgerald that sent the Braves to the Benz.
The Defensive Player of the Year Award went to Brave senior defensive lineman Zaylin Wood.
Wood dominated offensive lines throughout the state all season long and seemed to only get better as the games got bigger. He recorded 46 tackles including 16 for a loss during the playoffs alone.
For the season, Wood finished with 112 total tackles and blew away the school record with 42 tackles for a loss. He also gave opposing quarterbacks fits with four sacks, 16 QB hurries, and four pass break-ups. Wood also had a big safety in the Bremen game.
Braves head coach Tim Barron was the obvious choice as the Region 5-AA Coach of the Year after his squad battled back after two huge losses to Class AA squads and went on to win 12 straight games including the all important state title game at the Benz.
Since arriving in Franklin in 2002, Barron is unquestionably the most successful coach in school history with an overall record of 142-59 and state playoff appearances in 16 of 17 seasons.
Four other Braves garnered All-Region First Team defensive honors including the linebacker tandem of senior Andrew Leak and junior Jai Wright along with the DL duo of Sam Brown and Tray Owens.

Region 5-AA Coach of the Year Tim Barron with his wife Laura
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