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Toney, Jackson named all-state
Katie Toney and Bekah Jackson can say it loud and proud - they are two of the best players in Tennessee. Todd Willmore has been saying it for years and the coaches from across the state agreed with him this week.
Toney and Jackson were named to the 2021 Tennessee High School Soccer Coaches Association All-State team this week. It is the third straight year Toney has been named all-state, while Jackson, a junior, joined her this year. The honors come after they helped lead the Lady Pioneers to a 14-win season in the fall.
" Katie and Bekah both had outstanding seasons and are very deserving of this honor. I am extremely proud of both of them," said Willmore, who has seen the dynamic duo rack up awards this fall.
Toney, who recently signed with Tennessee Tech to continue her soccer career next fall, has a mantle full of awards now. Just this season, she has been named District 6AAA MVP while also getting All-Region 3AAA, All-Midstate (from The Tennessean) and now all-state from the coaches association. She set career highs in scoring as a senior, notching 37 goals this year.
In her career, Toney has been all-district four times, District MVP three times, the District 6AAA Rookie of the year in 2018, a four-time all-region selection and Region 3AAA MVP once (2020) - as well as being all-state three times. Toney also leaves Warren County as the school's all-time leading scorer with 113 goals. She also dished out 57 career assists.
Jackson is following in the footsteps of her talented teammate and getting plenty of recognition along the way. The all-state nod comes after Jackson was named the Midfielder of the Year in District 6AAA this season, along with all-region. Jackson is a three-time, all-district selection as well as the District 6AAA Rookie of the year in 2019. She's also a two-time, all-region selection and is now getting honors at the state level.
Jackson has a chance to go down as one of the most prolific scorers in school history, though she may not be able to catch Toney's recent record. Jackson has 58 career goals, 26 coming this year as she finished third in the region in scoring. She has also dished out 30 assists over her three years of dominance as a Lady Pioneer.
Jackson will be back next season with hopes of leading Warren County to another strong finish in District 6AAA. She will also have her sights set on another all-state season, something she's more than capable of as a solo act at the top of the Lady Pioneer attack.