We’ve made the first cut. Now it’s your call.

For the first time, The North Jefferson News is opening its Athlete of the Year competition up to you, the readers — or more precisely, the Facebook fans.

We have selected eight of the best high school athletes in our area across all sports. Several of them took part in two or three sports, but all made their mark in their favorite. Two nominees are from Gardendale and Mortimer Jordan each, the two largest schools in our coverage area, with one each from Fultondale, Corner, Hayden and Tabernacle Christian.

And to pick a winner, we’ve gone all social media.

To take part in the voting, you must be a fan of The North Jefferson News on Facebook. If not, you can sign up before voting ends on Monday, June 20. Just look for the poll question on your own wall, or go to The North Jefferson News wall and vote there.

Voting begins at 2 p.m. Wednesday.

HOW TO VOTE

To cast your vote for the NJN 2011 Male Athlete of the Year, you should have a Facebook account. You must then go to the North Jefferson News page (click here) and click the “Like” button to become a fan, if you haven’t done so already. If you’re already a fan, look for our post on your wall that includes the ballot. If not, look for the ballot on our wall page. Voting ends at 5 p.m. Monday.

The fine print: One vote per Facebook account. Any attempts to inflate vote totals by using fake accounts or any other means will result in disqualification of suspect votes. The decision of the NJN staff regarding any disputes is final.

THE NOMINEES

DALLAS TIDWELL, Senior

Gardendale

Starting quarterback for first Rocket team to advance to playoffs since promotion to Class 6A; also a forward for basketball. Going to Troy on an athletic scholarship.

ROD WASHINGTON, Senior

Mortimer Jordan

The cornerback/wide receiver was a stalwart on the Blue Devils roster, and was a member of last year’s state champion 4×100-meter relay team in track and field.

JOHN WHITE, Senior

Tabernacle Christian

Played pretty much everything for the Torches, but was especially effective as their starting center in basketball.

SETH ADERHOLD, Junior

Hayden

Terrific numbers as a forward for the Wildcats’ greatly-improved basketball squad, and was NJN’s most valuable player in hoops. Also played baseball.

C.T. WOOD, Senior

Mortimer Jordan

The NJN’s most valuable player in baseball; was top hitter on a Blue Devils team that was ranked in the Class 5A top 10 polls for much of the season.

ARDARIUS STEWART, Sophomore

Fultondale

Multiple-threat quarterback, basketball player and silver medalist in the discus at Class 2A state track meet.

JAMICHAEL WILLIS, Junior

Gardendale

The Rocket every opponent kept their eyes on. The blazing wide receiver tied a state record with six TD catches in a game. A bona fide college prospect.

JARRED CAUSEY, Senior

Corner

The backbone of the Yellow Jackets football defense, whose best game was 16 tackles plus two assists in a loss to Midfield.