Junior linebacker Marcus Brown of Lawrence County and juniorlineman Bobby O’Quinn of Franklin County were key contributors ondefense for their respective football teams during the 2008season.

Brown, who has named Defensive Player of the Year in the Region6-4A, helped Coach Mike Davis and the Cougars to the division titleand to the second round of the state football playoffs.

Likewise, O’Quinn was instrumental in directing first-year headcoach Trent Hammond’s Bulldogs to a 12-2 record and a trip to theSouth State finals.

For their achievements, Brown and O’Quinn have been named TheDAILY LEADER’S Co-Defensive Players of the Year on the 2008All-Area Football Team. The Dream Team is composed of playersoutside Lincoln County. O’Quinn is a repeater from last year’steam.

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

Joining O’Quinn on the line are Albert White of Amite County,Carlton Parkman of Lawrence County and Cullen Gentry of Copiah.

The linebackers are Brown, Rashan Alton of Hazlehurst,DontrellSergeant of Parklane, Leviticus Cain of Hazlehurst and Donovan Hillof McComb.

Making up the defensive backfield are C.J.Lewis and CorneliusSibley of Lawrence County, Reece Hankins of Copiah and John Craftof Wesson.

Brown (6-0, 205, jr.) led Lawrence County with 121 tackles,including 78 solos and 43 assists. He also had 3 sacks.

“It was a total surprise,” said Brown who wanted to thank hisparents and the coaching staff for his award.

“Marcus was quite a surprise,” said Davis. “He stepped in atlinebacker his freshman year. He got better and better as the yearwent on. He is a quiet guy who works extremely hard. He stays outof trouble and is a very polite ‘Yes sir, no sir’ guy. He has thatknack of getting to the football.”

O’Quinn (5-11, 290, jr.) was the leading tackler for theBulldogs with 90 tackles, 1 sack and 3 fumble recoveries.

“It’s good,” said O’Quinn of the honor. “I didn’t expect it. Itried to play hard, so I was rewarded for it.”

First-year Franklin County head coach Trent Hammond complimentedO’Quinn on his quickness.

“Bobby is a strong player,” said Hammond. “He is quick off theball. He became an all around better player when he accepted hisrole. He has played hurt. He gutted things out to make thingshappen.”

Albert White (6-1, 260, jr.) is one of the top defensive collegeprospects in the state at Amite County.

Carlton Parkman (6-0, 250, sr.) worked on both sides of the linefor the Cougars. Parkman finished with 42 tackles, including 30solos.

Cullen Gentry (5-11, 155, sr.) was an impact player on defensefor Coach Scotty Cline’s Copiah Academy’s Colonels this year.

Dontrell Sergeant (5-10, 250, sr.) finished his season with thePioneers. Sergeant made 69 tackles, intercepted 1 pass and blocked8 passes.

Leviticus Cain (6-2, 207, soph.) proved to be the leader on theIndians’ defense with a team-high127 tackles.

Donovan Hill (6-1,200, sr.) helped Randy Martin’s McComb Tigerson defense and ended the season with 113 total tackles, including85 solos, and 10 sacks.

Rasham Alton (5-11, 155, sr.) was a key player for theHazlehurst Indians’ defense with 98 tackles on the season.

John Craft (5-11, 170, sr.) was an inpact player for Wesson.

C.J. Lewis (5-8, 180, sr.) finished the season with 46 tacklesand pass interception for Lawrence County.

Cornelius Sibly (5-10, 220, sr.) made 61 tackles, including 41solos and had 3 sacks for Lawrence Co..

Reese Hankins (5-11, 165, jr.) was an impact player for CopiahAcademy.

Chris Fink (5-5, 160, sr.) kicked and punted for Wesson. Finkkicked 37 of 39 extra points, 2 of 9 field goals (longest 37 yards)and averaged 38.2 yards on punts. He was named the Most ValuableKicker in the Region 6-2A.