Several local teams gave up significantly fewer points in 2016 than they did a year ago.

Under first-year head coach Cody Gross and defensive coordinator Jonathan Snider, Athens gave up 8.5 fewer points per game in 2016. The defense was a major reason for the Golden Eagles’ strong finish to the season.

Over the second half of the season, Athens held East Limestone and Huntsville to just seven points each and shut out Columbia.

Not surprisingly, Athens has the most representatives on the All-County Defense (4), followed by East Limestone (3), Tanner (3), West Limestone (2), Ardmore (1) and Clements (1).

While there are some players not on this list that played both ways, you can probably find them on the 2016 All-County Offense, which will be released Friday.

The 2016 All-County Defense is:

Quez Redus, Clements — Clements actually had the biggest leap on defense this season, giving up 19 points per game less than 2015, and Redus was a big reason why. The sophomore defensive lineman had 19 tackles for a loss, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.

Jerry Foster, Athens — The senior defensive ends, who holds a DI offer from Alabama A&M, had 58 tackles, including a team-high seven sacks.

Kobe Shoulders, Tanner — Shoulders was the unquestioned leader on defense, consistently harassing opposing quarterbacks and running backs in the backfield. The senior defensive lineman finished with 79 tackles, including 20 for loss, three forced fumbles and eight sacks.

Zach Pyles, East Limestone — Pyles had a breakout season in his sophomore season with the Indians. The defensive lineman had 64 tackles including five for loss and four sacks.

Ryan Rodriguez, East Limestone — Rodriguez did it all at middle linebacker for East this year, finishing the season with 101 tackles, including eight for loss and two sacks. He also had two interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

Brayden Craig, West Limestone — Craig may be the smallest player on this list at 5-7, 150 pounds, but he epitomized playing bigger than size. The senior linebacker’s county-best 138 tackles included eight and a half sacks. He also had three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

Derrick Lewis, Ardmore — Lewis had an outstanding senior season at linebacker for Ardmore, leading the team with 108 tackles, including three sacks. He recorded seven fumble recoveries and two interceptions. Lewis returned one interception for a touchdown and returned a fumble for a score.

Perry Kirby, Athens — Kirby was always around the ball for Athens and led the team with 117 tackles, including a sack. The junior linebacker also had an interception and forced fumble.

Thomas Carter, Athens — Carter played alongside Kirby to form the best linebacker duo in the county this season. The third-year starter had 108 tackles.

Austin Davis, East Limestone — Davis led the Indians secondary with two interceptions and 71 tackles, including eight for loss and four sacks.

Oman Smothers, Tanner — “Dee” as he is known by teammates was the king of the big play for Tanner. He finished the season with eight interceptions, seven tackles-for-loss and three forced fumbles to go along with 82 tackles. He also recorded two defensive touchdowns and returned a punt for a score.

John David Mathews, Athens — After playing both ways at quarterback and safety for the first half of the season, Mathews settled into the secondary and helped Athens finish the season 3-2. Mathews had 42 tackles, one interception and a forced fumble.

Reed Walker, West Limestone — Walker never left the field for the Wildcats, starting at cornerback, wide receiver and kicker. He finished the season with 48 tackles, including two for loss, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.

Jose Moreno, Tanner — Moreno provided stability to Tanner’s special teams with a 33 punts for 1,078 yards. He finished with a 32.7 net average with a long punt of 51 yards.

Honorable mention: Demonte Andersong, East Limestone; Drew Beddingfield, West Limestone; Alex Maples, West Limestone; Crimson Bivens, Clements; Jackson Bennington, Clements; Rylan Kirk, Clements;