Elba High School Football Player Alvin Henderson Voted 2024 ITG Next Alabama Male Athlete of the Year
After posting one of the greatest single seasons in Alabama high school football history for a running back, Elba High School standout football player Alvin Henderson has been voted the 2024 ITG Next Alabama Male Athlete of the Year.
Henderson received the honor over a trio of additional finalists as he amassed 42.04% of the possible votes, the highest of the group. Those additional finalists were Bob Jones baseball player Braden Booth, Valley basketball and football player Cam Dooley, and Saraland football player Ryan Williams.
As for what Henderson did to receive this honor, it simply comes down to what the junior showcased on the football field, which was truly nothing short of special.
Henderson was a major factor in the success of the 2023 Elba Tigers, a program that was consistently among the top teams in Class 1A throughout the fall. Their season included a 13-1 overall record in which their lone loss came against eventual state champion Leroy in the Class 1A state semifinals 27-24. Elba’s offense averaged 49.4 points per game and scored 40 points or more in 11 games.
Across 14 games, Henderson was the focal point of Elba’s offense, rushing for 3,523 yards and 61 touchdowns on 225 attempts, which translates to averages of 15.7 yards per carry and 251.6 yards rushing per game. Henderson had five receptions for 124 yards and a touchdown and completed all five of his passes for 119 yards and one other score.
The running back made an impact on special teams for Elba as well, returning eight kickoffs for 309 yards and three touchdowns, as well as returning three punts for 141 yards and two scores.
Henderson earned multiple honors for his play in 2023, including Class 1A Back of the Year.
Taking a deeper look at his impressive season statistics, this was one of the greatest seasons that Alabama high school football has ever seen at his position. Henderson set multiple AHSAA all-time records, including most points scored in a season (408), most touchdowns in a single-season (67), and most rushing touchdowns in a single-season (61).
Henderson is tied for a record for the most touchdowns scored in consecutive games, which is currently active and sitting at 23 straight entering the 2024 season, as well as total touchdowns accounted for at 68. The record for most touchdowns in a career is within his reach, as Henderson sits in third at 139 with first sitting at 160.
Henderson, a four-star Penn State commit, now enters his 2024 senior season cemented as one of Alabama high school football’s top players.
Over the last three seasons, Henderson helped lead Elba to a combined 34-4 record and three state playoff appearances while rushing for at least 1,000 yards each season.
During that same span from 2021 to 2023, Henderson rushed for a combined 7,274 yards and 132 touchdowns on 532 attempts. He averaged 13.7 yards per carry and 191.4 yards rushing per game, and he rushed for at least 100 yards in 33 games.
Elsewhere on offense, Henderson had nine receptions across the last three years for a combined 192 yards and two touchdowns. He completed 9-of-11 passes for 273 yards and two more scores. Henderson also saw time on special teams as previously mentioned, and he even recorded a few tackles.
Now entering his senior season, what will Henderson do for his final act at Elba? Could he end up leaving Elba as one of the greatest running backs in Alabama high school football history?
Congratulations once again to Elba High School running back Alvin Henderson, the 2024 ITG Next Alabama Male Athlete of the Year.
