FRANKLIN—Five Franklin football players and their head coach have been named to the Virginia High School League Group A All-State team. Players and coaches were voted to the team by football coaches around the state at a meeting in Charlottesville on Saturday.

Donzell Shearin was named a first-team defensive back and was also voted the Group A Defensive Player of the Year.

Also making the first team from Franklin was offensive tackle Daquan Frazier.

Second team selections from Franklin included running back Isaiah Hudson and linebacker Antonio Smith.

Receiving honorable mention honors was defensive end Daquan Clemmons.

Franklin head coach Darren Parker was named the Group A Coach of the Year and will coach at the VHSL All-Star game this summer. Parker said Shearin and Frazier are expected to play in the game.

Parker said the five all-state selections eclipses the four the team had for the 2004 season.

“I let the young men know yesterday (Sunday) and they know this is because of their teammates and the grace of God,” Parker said. “The same thing goes for my award for coach of the year. It goes to the whole staff and the team.

“We would like to thank everyone who supported us, because we get energy from them,” Parker added. “This is an honor for Franklin and the Southampton County area as a whole.”