Kolby Byrd rarely comes off the football field. When he’s notrushing the football or blocking for a teammate, he is makingcrunching tackles on defense.

Defense is what Byrd is best known for at Brookhaven Academy.The junior linebacker recorded 135 tackles this season, helpinglead the Cougars to the District 4-AA championship. He alsointercepted 2 passes and recovered 2 fumbles.

For his performance, Byrd (6-0, 215) has been selected The DAILYLEADER’s Defensive Player of the Year on the 2007 All-LincolnCounty Football Team.

Joining Byrd at linebacker are Nathan Williams of Loyd Star,Scotty Brown of Bogue Chitto, and Jarvis Wilbert and ChavonMiddleton of Brookhaven.

The DL’s defensive line includes La’Terrius Williams and DennisHarris of Brookhaven, Will Gatlin of Brookhaven Academy, KolbyBurris of West Lincoln and Bubba Bigner of Bogue Chitto.

In the secondary are Keyondray Powell of Brookhaven, M.T. Martinof Enterprise, Nathaniel Sbravati of Brookhaven Academy and AustinJones of Bogue Chitto.

The team’s punter is Caleb Foster of Enterprise.

“Kolby has a nose for the football and great instinct,” said BAcoach Bo Milton. “He also has a quick first step.”

The Cougars went to a 3-5 alignment on defense this season. Byrdthanked his teammates. “If it weren’t for my teammates, I wouldn’thave made all those tackles.”

Byrd missed one game late in the season due to an ankle injury.He sprained the other ankle in the first round of the stateplayoffs.

Scotty Brown (5-11, 195, sr.) made a strongcomeback from ACL knee surgery and collected 111 tackles for theBobcats.

Kolby Burris (6-0, 220, sr.) was an anchor onoffense and defense for West Lincoln. He started at offensive guardand played linebacker on defense where he was credited with 92tackles.

Jarvis Wilbert (5-7, 194, jr.) led the Pantherswith 73 tackles.

Chavon Middleton (5-7, 160, jr.) collected 57tackles for the Panthers.

La’Terrius Williams (6-0, 226, jr.) finishedwith 57 tackles for Brookhaven. He led the Panthers with 10sacks.

Nathan Williams (6-0, 180, sr.) was a leadingtackler for the Loyd Star Hornets. He finished with 81 tackles andmade 3 interceptions.

Bubba Bigner (6-5, 240, sr.) was a force onBogue Chitto’s defense.

Will Gatlin (6-2, 195, soph.) led the Cougarsin quarterback sacks with 10. He also had 55 tackles.

Dennis Harris (6-0, 195, sr.) worked atdefensive end for the Panthers. He routinely put kickoffs deep orin the end zone.

Keyondray Powell (5-8, 142, sr.) intercepted 5passes for the Panthers at cornerback. He also recovered 2fumbles.

M.T. Martin (5-10, 155, sr.) made 84 tacklesfor the Enterprise Yellow Jackets. He had 21 solo stops.

Nathaniel Sbravati (6-0, 180, jr.) registered100 tackles for the Cougars. He recovered 2 fumbles and had 2sacks.

Austin Jones (5-10, 175, sr.) made 109 tacklesfor the Bobcats.

Caleb Foster (5-9, 140, sr.) sported a35.5-yard average as Enterprise’s punter.