Tailback Preston Griffith of Franklin County and quarterbackMicah Davis of Wesson had successful senior years for theirrespective schools.

Griffith (6-1, 205) helped direct the Meadville-based Bulldogsto their first ever Class 3A state football championship. He rushedthe football 253 times for 1,555 yards and 15 touchdowns. FranklinCounty finished the year with a 14-1 record.

Davis (6-1, 185) sparked the Cobras to an 8-3 record and a tripto the South 2A state playoffs. He completed 46 of 91 passes for218 yards and 5 TDs. Davis rushed the football 82 times for 724yards and 9 touchdowns. He finished with 1,056 all-purposeyards.

For their accomplishments, Griffith and Davis have been namedCo-Offensive Players of the Year on the 2006 DAILY LEADER All-AreaFootball Team which is composed of talented players outside LincolnCounty.

The Dream Team was selected by members of the DL sports staff,with input provided by area high school and college coaches.

Joining Davis at quarterback are Daniel Sims of Copiah Academyand Jamie Collins of Franklin County.

In the backfield with Griffith are Demorious Stewart of McComb,Otho Smith of Wesson and Bobby Moore of Hazlehurst.

The offensive linemen include Nick Jackson and Jake Thames ofLawrence County, Timothy “Bubba” Thompson and John Knight ofWesson, Justin Smith of North Pike and Cabel McMinn and Alvin Huntof Franklin County.

Starting at wide receiver is Derrick Ross of South Pike.McKenzie Woods of Lawrence County is the tight end. The all-purposeplayer is Jeremy Snowden of Amite County.

The return specialist is Courtney Hall of Hazlehurst. Working atplace kicker is Richard Henley of Copiah Academy.

Franklin County head coach Grady McCluskey praised Griffith. “Preston ran the ball really hard for us.”

Davis shared the glory with his Wesson teammates. “I’m veryproud,” said Davis. “I couldn’t have done it without my team.”

Davis said he wants to major in engineering or businessmanagement. He plans on playing football on the college level.

Davis was named Co-Most Valuable Offensive Player of the Year onthe Region 6-2A football team.

“Micah was a leader on the field for us,” said Wesson head coachTommy Clopton. “He has a good knowledge of the game, He is a realcompetitor. He stepped it up this year and led our team. We hate tosee him go.”

Sims (5-8, 150, jr.) played quarterback atCopiah and completed 84 of 158 passes for 1,188 yards and 14touchdowns. He rushed the football 148 times for 654 yards, givinghim 1,842 total yards.

Collins (6-3, 200, so..) took up the challengeas Franklin County quarterback, finishing the season with 47completions out of 122 attempts for 8 touchdowns. He rushed thefootball 124 times for 748 yards and 8 TDs.

Stewart (5-7, 160, sr.), nicknamed “Short Dog,”helped the McComb Tigers to an 8-3 record and a second-roundappearance in the 4A state playoffs. He rushed 240 times for 1,716yards and 21 touchdowns.

Stewart was named to the Region 6-4A First Team as the MVP.

Otho Smith (6-1, 185, sr.) provided Wesson withan excellent running game, rushing 99 times for 906 yards and 12touchdowns. He finished the season with 1,001 total offensiveyards.

Bobby Moore (5-10, 180, sr.) worked as tailbackfor Hazlehurst. He collected 1,136 yards rushing and scored 13touchdowns. Moore was picked to the MAC All-State 3A Second TeamDefense as cornerback.

Nick Jackson (6-3, 290, sr.) played lineman forLawrence County. He made 31 pancake blocks and was graded 76percent.

Jake Thames (6-6, 250, sr.) was a big key inthe offense for Lawrence County. Thames, who has verbally committedto Southern Mississippi, had a 76 grade with 25 pancake blocks.

Justin Smith (6-1, 240, sr.) played center for CoachAdam Barron’s North Pike Jaguars. Smith was also named to theRegion 7-3A All-Region Team

Bubba Thompson (6-2, 265, sr.) played lineman for Wesson with ateam-high 95 grade for the season.

John Knight (6-2, 280, sr.) was the strongestplayer on the Cobra team, according to Clopton. He was graded 90percent and a two-way starter who finished with 30 tackles.

McMinn (6-1, 220, sr.) started for FranklinCounty as guard.

Alvin Hunt (6-1, 296, sr.) played offensiveguard for Franklin County.

Derrick Ross (6-2, 185, sr.) had 33 catches for485 yards and scored 8 touchdowns for the South Pike Eagles. He hashad offers from Southern Miss and LSU.

McKenzie Woods (6-1, 185, sr.) played tight endfor Lawrence County, finishing with 11 catches for 227 yards and 4TDs.

Jeremy Snowden (6-2, 180, sr.) was a standoutquarterback for the 9-3 Amite County Trojans in Region 6-2A play.He passed for 1,289 and 21 touchdowns. Snowden rushed for 890 yardsand scored 17 TDs.

Courtney Hall (5-10, 170, sr.) played tailbackfor Hazlehurst, finishing the year with 1,989 yards rushing and 29touchdowns.

Richard Henley (5-9, 167, jr.) was a key inCopiah winning the AA state title, as a punter and place-kicker. Hefinished the season with 31 PATS and 7 field goal (42 yardslongest) for 92 points.