Brock and fellow Cove senior defender Chris Miller were named Friday to the first squad of the TSWA Class 5A All-State Team, while Temple senior center Brett Gunn was a third-team selection and fellow Wildcats Lache Seastrunk and Chris Winkler received honorable mentions at running back and punter, respectively.
The other area players earning honorable-mention status were Belton sophomore David Ash at punter, Killeen Shoemaker junior quarterback Jameill Showers and Cove senior tight end Josh Kasten.
Brock, District 12-5A’s Defensive MVP, collected his fourth career first-team all-state honor by making a career-high 230 tackles - 152 unassisted and 23 for loss - in helping lead Cove (13-2) to the 12-5A championship and a berth in the Division II state semifinals. He finished his career with 664 tackles.
A Texas Christian commitment, Brock also was an Sports Editors first-team selection as a senior and repeated as the Telegram’s 5A/4A Defensive Player of the Year.
Cornerback Miller played a crucial role for Cove, making 13 interceptions - four of which he returned for touchdowns - and 88 tackles, including 62 unassisted.
Gunn (6-1, 275 pounds) paced a Temple line that paved the way for a Wing-T offense that averaged 31.4 points and 356 yards per game. An APSE honorable mention all-state choice, he was credited with 47 pancake blocks and did not allow a sack.
Speedy junior Seastrunk rushed for 1,511 yards and 14 touchdowns - adding three receiving TDs - for the Wildcats’ second straight playoff team. He matched his sophomore achievement of receiving honorable mention on both the APSE and TSWA all-state squads.
Winkler, a steady senior kicker and punter for Temple, averaged 39.5 yards per punt and got six to stop inside the 10-yard line.
Belton sophomore Ash, who had a strong season at quarterback, also excelled as a punter by averaging 42 yards on 38 kicks.
Shoemaker’s Showers burst onto the scene with a stellar junior season, completing 117 of 229 passes for 2,055 yards and 21 touchdowns as the Grey Wolves advanced to the playoffs for the first time in their nine-year history. He also was 12-5A’s Offensive MVP and the Telegram’s 5A/4A Offensive Player of the Year.
Kasten (6-2, 215) was a versatile and valuable weapon for Cove’s offense. He was credited with a 93-percent grade, 62 decleat blocks and 40 pancakes and added six catches for 118 yards.
