A standout on offense and defense, Loyd Star’s MatthewDelaughter rarely left the field of battle. Delaughter starred atfullback and linebacker, leading the Hornets to a 10-0regular-season record and a berth in the Class 2A stateplayoffs.

Delaughter’s efforts have earned him The DAILY LEADER’s MostValuable Player title on the 2003 All-Lincoln County Football Team.Mr. Football is a 6-foot, 205-pound senior.

Brookhaven, fresh from winning the Region 6-4A championship andreaching the second round of the state playoffs, claimed twoindividual honors on the DL’s Dream Team. Quarterback Jimmy Johnsis the Most Valuable Offensive Player and end Philip Tobias is MostValuable Defensive Player.

In the offensive backfield, Johns is joined by quarterbacksCollins Case of Brookhaven Academy and Michael Blackwell of BogueChitto. The running backs are Ronnie McNulty of Brookhaven, TerrellMay of Enterprise, Alan Skates of West Lincoln and Josh Townsend ofLoyd Star.

Offensive linemen are Grant McDonnieal, Kenneth Fairman, AdamOgden and Tyler Gatlin of Brookhaven, Jonathan Smith of Loyd Starand Wade Calcote of Brookhaven Academy.

Wide receivers are Taurean Jones, Bud Chatman and John WayneHavard of Brookhaven.

The dream team’s placekicker and punter is Justin Whatley ofLoyd Star. The return specialist is Rico Lewis of Bogue Chitto.

On defense, Tobias is joined in the front trench by BHS teammateJessie Bowman, Anthony Stevenson of Bogue Chitto and Michael Brittof Loyd Star.

Linebackers include Jonathan Watts of Brookhaven Academy, ToddDavis of Bogue Chitto, Chris Smith of West Lincoln and AljurHerring of Brookhaven.

The secondary features Jarvis Wilson of Brookhaven, Derek Smithof Loyd Star and Derrick Clark of Enterprise.

Delaughter accounted for 148 tackles at linebacker this season.At fullback, he rushed for 904 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Asked about his best game the past season, Delaughter said itwas the overtime win at Franklin County. “We were down but wedidn’t give up,” overcoming a 13-point deficit.

Loyd Star head coach Sidney Wheatley has watched Delaughter makenumerous big plays on offense and defense the last three years. Heis recognized as the emotional and spiritual leader of theHornets.

“First of all, Matt is an outstanding person,” said Wheatley.”He is a great leader for us and a great guy to coach. He isdefinitely the kind of player our younger kids should look upto.

“He was the heart and soul of our defense,” Wheatley added. “Atfullback, you had to respect him because he could rush hard inside.He was a great blocker for our wingbacks, too.”

Jimmy Johns (6-2, 220), a junior, directed the Panthers to a 9-3record. He completed 86 of 160 passes for 1,443 yards and 18touchdowns. He rushed for 820 yards and 7 TDs.

“Jimmy is a talented runner and passer,” said BHS head coachTucker Peavey. “He’s blessed with strength and speed.”

Johns said his favorite game in 2003 was Brookhaven’s win overMcComb. “We came out to play. We had four good quarters and I threwfour touchdowns.”

Philip Tobias (6-4, 275), a senior, anchored Brookhaven’spowerful defensive unit at end. A strong pass rusher, he accountedfor 14 quarterback sacks and 88 tackles.

“Philip is the total package,” said Peavey. “He’s big and strongand quick.”

Tobias said his games against McComb and South Pike were hisfavorites this season. He had 11 tackle and 4 sacks versus SouthPike. “Anytime you beat Pike County, that’s good.”

Collins Case (5-10, 175, sr.) was the main offensive threat in arebuilding year for the Brookhaven Academy Cougars. He passed for1,700 yards and 12 touchdowns this season.

Michael Blackwell (5-10, 180, sr.) was a key to Bogue Chitto’srunner-up finish in the Region 7-1A race. He rushed for 734 yardsand 12 touchdowns and passed for 407 yards and 7 TDs as CoachGareth Sartin’s Bobcats advanced to the second round of the stateplayoffs, finishing 9-4.

Ronnie McNulty (5-7, 160, jr.) rushed for 985 yards and 11touchdowns this season, showing bursts of quickness and breakawayspeed.

Alan Skates (5-11, 200, sr.) was the workhorse in West Lincolncoach Ron DuPree’s offense. He carried the football 218 times for1,214 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Josh Townsend (5-11, 180, jr.) showcased his exceptional speedin Loyd Star’s Double Wing formation. He rushed for 1,025 yards and20 touchdowns.

Terrell May (6-0, 185, soph.) was the main mover for Coach ScottLeggett’s Enterprise Yellow Jackets. He rushed for 1,670 yards and16 touchdowns.

Taurean Jones (5-10, 170, jr.) became Brookhaven’s leadingreceiver this season, catching 27 passes for 411 yards and 4TDs.

John Wayne Havard (6-1, 180, sr.) caught 11 passes for 370 yardsand 5 TDs.

Bud Chatman (6-4, 220, jr.) caught 19 passes for 263 yards and 3TDs.

Justin Whatley (5-10, 160, jr.) worked at quarterback for LoydStar when he wasn’t punting and placekicking. He averaged 37.8yards per punt. He made 39 of 47 extra points and 2 of 3 field goalattempts.

Rico Lewis (5-7, 140, sr.) is the return specialist. As a runnerhe scored 12 touchdowns and rushed for 796 yards. He caught 7passes for 200 yards and 3 TDs.

Jessie Bowman (6-1, 300, jr.) was Brookhaven’s leading tacklerwith 100 stops. He also had 7 sacks.

Michael Britt (6-0, 190, soph.) accounted for 111 tackles atLoyd Star.

Aljur Herring (6-0, 190, sr.) accounted for 62 tackles as aPanther linebacker.

Todd Davis (5-10, 175, sr.) led Bogue Chitto’s defense with 88tackles from his linebacker spot.

Chris Smith (6-0, 215, sr.) set a school record at West Lincoln,making 186 tackles.

Jonathan Watts (5-10, 200, sr.) led the Cougars in tackled with75 stops.

Jarvis Wilson (5-10, 170, sr.) collected 6 interceptions for thePanthers at safety. He also made 67 tackles.

Derek Smith (5-8, 160, sr.) intercepted 6 passes for LoydStar.

Derrick Clark (5-8, 160, sr.) had 59 tackles for Enterprise.

HONORABLE MENTION

Bogue Chitto: Deonta Thompson, Cory Washington, David Adams.

Brookhaven: Jason Dixon, Darrius Perkins, Michael Thrasher, JoshPatrick, Patrick Earl, Tyrone Jones, Zach Ray, Dominique Smith.

Brookhaven Academy: Eric Terry, Chris Falvey, Landon Magee,Dusty Bratton, Stewart Sessums.

Enterprise: Jamaal Vaughn, Josh Tanner, Corey Smith, LanceNations, Will Sicard.

Loyd Star: Juron Collins, Justin Russell, William Hill, DuaneBritt, Barry Roberts.

West Lincoln: Landon Case, Mark. E. Smith, Philip Jarancik.