Quarterback Seth Avants brought adventure and excitement toBogue Chitto’s offense for four years. The versatile signal-callerran and passed the Bobcats to three consecutive state playoffberths and accounted for 9,367 all-purpose yards, scoring 100touchdowns.

The 2008 campaign saw Avants recover from a broken left hand anddirect the Bobcats to the Class 1A state playoffs. This season heaccounted for 1,317 yards rushing and 891 yards passing, plus 426return yards. That total gave him 2,634 yards and 29touchdowns.

Avants was a runaway choice for The DAILY LEADER’s 2008 Playerof the Year honor on the All-Lincoln County Football Team. It alsoearned him the MVP title of Mr. Football.

The DL’s other offensive award went to Brookhaven running backSemmie Smith who amassed 1,050 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns.Joining Avants and Smith in the offensive backfield arequarterbacks Bud Britt of Brookhaven and Chandler Rogers ofBrookhaven Academy; and running backs Byron Kersee of Bogue Chittoand Tradareous Wilson of Loyd Star.

The wide receivers are E.J. Henderson of Brookhaven, CalebDorman of Brookhaven Academy and Brian Robinson of Bogue Chitto.The tight end is Nick Peavey of Brookhaven.

Offensive linemen include Grant Britt of Loyd Star, Taylor Allenof Enterprise, Caleb Covington of Brookhaven Academy and JonathanBuie of Brookhaven.

The Dream Team’s placekicker is Chris Lowman of Brookhaven. Thereturn specialist is Devonte Stewart of Brookhaven and theall-purpose player is Marquis Hayes of Loyd Star.

Members of the DL’s sports staff selected the team, with inputprovided by area high school and college coaches.

“Seth is a tough kid,” said Bogue Chitto coach Garreth Sartin.”When he broke his hand, he wanted to keep playing.

“Seth has surprising speed and he’s strong, too,” said Sartin.”He’s my coach on the field.”

Avants directed the Bobcats to an 8-4 record this season. Hecompleted 61 of 144 passes for 13 TDs. His strength is running thefootball.

Asked about his favorite play, Avants said, “It’s Trips 45 Tag.The right guard and the right tackle pull to the left. It’s astraight running play.”

Avants runs a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash. He bench presses 225pounds and squats with 350.

“I wanted to step up and be a better leader this year,” saidAvants. “I’ve matured a lot.

“My offensive line did their job the majority of the time. Wehad some young players step up this year.”

Besides football sense, Avants possesses academic wisdom. He hasscored 22 on the ACT and owns a 3.5 GPA in the classroom. He wantsto pursue a career in biological engineering at either Ole Miss orMississippi State.

Asked about his football future, Avants said he would considerhis options. He could play wide receiver on the next level.

Right now, Avants is busy playing guard on the Bobcats’basketball teams. He plays center fielder, shortstop and pitcher onthe baseball team.

Semmie Smith (5-10, 185, jr.), was a key to Brookhaven’s successthis season, helping the Panthers to an 8-4 record and the secondround of the Class 4A state playoffs. His strength and breakawayspeed were exceptional.

He considered his best game the win over St. Stanislaus in thefirst round of the state playoffs. He rushed 24 times for 227 yardsand 3 touchdowns.

“I couldn’t do anything without my offensive line blocking forme,” said Smith. “I couldn’t have had all those yards.”

Brookhaven head coach Tucker Peavey said Smith is an exceptionalathlete. “Semmie was smarter, stronger and faster this year. Hesees the field much better.”

Bud Britt (6-2, 185, sr.) exceeded expectations in his firstyear as a starter for the Panthers. He passed for 1,257 yards and 5touchdowns, completing 86 of 168 passes.

Chandler Rogers (6-3, 180, soph.) came on strong for the BACougars when he replaced injured senior Ty Smith before the firstgame of the season. Rogers passed for 1,985 yards and 16touchdowns.

Byron Kersee (5-11, 180, jr.) provided the Bobcats with 1,216rushing yards and 10 TDs.

Tradareous Wilson (6-0, 190, jr.) rushed the football 127 timesfor 1,000 yards as the Loyd Star Hornets reached the stateplayoffs.

Brian Robinson (5-10, 160, sr.) caught 31 passes for 523 yardsand 7 TDs for the Bobcats.

Caleb Dorman (5-10, 175, sr.) led the Cougars with 34 receptionsfor 564 yards and 2 TDs.

E.J. Henderson (5-9, 150, soph.) caught 17 passes for 335 yardsand 2 TDs for BHS.

Nick Peavey (6-0, 215, soph.) caught 10 passes for 158 yards and1 TD when he wasn’t blocking for his BHS teammates.

Fred Tillman (6-0, 265, sr.) was a leader on offense and defensefor the Bobcats.

Caleb Covington (6-0, 250, sr.) was another 2-way standout forthe Cougars.

Jonathan Buie (5-9, 227, sr.) was a senior leader in thePanthers’ offensive line.

Taylor Allen (6-0, 195, sr.) performed well on both sides of thefootball for Enterprise.

Grant Britt (6-1, 200, sr.) anchored Loyd Star’s offensive lineand started on defense, too.

Chris Lowman (5-9, 140, sr.) displayed a stronger leg thisseason as he made 37 of 38 extra point kids and was a perfect5-for-5 in field goals for BHS. Many of his kickoffs reached theend zone.

Marquis Hayes (5-9, 148, soph.) displayed blazing speed for LoydStar. He accumulated 1,148 all-purpose yards and scored 14touchdowns. He returned 4 kickoffs for touchdowns, averaging 29.2yards per return. As a running back, he gained 456 yards and 8 TDs.He also caught 9 passes for 195 yards and 2 TDs.

Devonte Stewart (5-9, 148, soph.) used his speed on kickoffreturns for the Panthers. He averaged 24.5 yards per return.