Csillag earns all-state honor as tackle leader

For the second straight season, Johnson County produced an all-state linebacker. Senior Jack Csillag was named to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association All-State team this season, as was the case with Sam Cretsinger last year. Csillag led all classifications in the state with 186 tackles. "Being named TSWA all-state is a huge honor," Csillag said. "Tennessee high school football is extremely competitive. So, to be recognized like this means a lot to me." The hard-hitting Csillag, despite his grueling workload of physicality, rare came out of a game. "Jack was a leader on the field and off the field," Johnson County head coach Tyler Trusler said. "He played both sides of the ball. I mean, he probably didn't take three or four snaps off a game. That's really impressive, and to have that many tackles every night and be a stud on both sides of the ball is the (impressive) thing. "He played with the aggression that I haven't seen in but a couple of players. He played at a high level and he's an awesome young man, too." Defensive linemen Ben Reece and Haiden Cobb also made in excess of 100 tackles in 11 games in 2025. And many they didn't record, Csillag says, they occupied blockers so he could make the stop. "Those guys made my job a lot easier all season," Csillag said. "Shout-out to Ben Reece and Haiden Cobb. They were physical, relentless, and did so much of the dirty work up front that allowed me to run free and make plays." Csillag, Cobb and Reece made first team All-Region 1-3A, as did Colten Grindstaff, Avery Jones and Chris Wilson. Csillag was the co-defensive player of the year along with Craig Huskey of Gatlinburg-Pittman. Johnson County's second team all-region selections included Brayden Dickens, Issac Johnson, Jamie Jones, Mason Perry and Eli Tester. "I was fortunate to have a great group," Trusler said. "We had three guys with over a hundred tackles. It was wild to see three in triple digits." Csillag and Jones will visit the University of Pikeville on Saturday. Csillag's had a handful of schools check on him dating back to last spring. "It's tough with the portal," Trulser said. "Jack's got the build and the brains. He should be able to excel wherever he ends up. He really bought in during the offseason workouts and it showed up on the field. I mean, he was already big, but he added mass and weight and speed." Johnson County assistant coach Andy Starnes said Csillag has offers from Oakland City University (Indiana) and Knox College (Illinois), and he anticipates U-Pike making an offer this weekend. "I'm grateful for all of Jack's hard work and dedication," Starnes said. "He is a true leader, and hopefully his leadership's inspired some young guys to follow in his footsteps." Football on Saturdays would be a dream come true for Csillag, but so was playing under Friday night lights. "I'm thankful for my coaches, teammates and everyone who supported me along the way," Csillag said. "Friday nights representing the Longhorns was an incredible experience, and I'll always take pride in wearing that jersey and playing for this community."