Linebacker David Fields is an alert headhunter with a good headon his shoulders. The Loyd Star senior accumulated an impressivenumber of tackles this season, helping lead the Hornets to thesecond round of the Class 2A state playoffs.

Fields finished the season with 142 tackles, including 32 solostops. He made 13 tackles for losses as the Hornets finished 10-2.That effort has earned him The DAILY LEADER’s Defensive Player ofthe Year Award.

Fields leads a list of hard-hitting defenders who enjoyed makingtackles, sacking quarterbacks and intercepting passes. Joining himat linebacker are Jamison Powell of Brookhaven Academy, GarrettRushing of West Lincoln, Kevin Brothern of Bogue Chitto andShamonte Brooks of Brookhaven.

The defensive linemen are Cordai Henderson of Brookhaven, WillGatlin of Brookhaven Academy, Travis Leggett of Enterprise andJoseph Owens and Jawaun Merchant of Brookhaven

The defensive secondary includes Jeffery Newton, Chris Seals andJacoby Cooper of Brookhaven, Mark Rushing of Brookhaven Academy andFred Clark of Loyd Star.

The Dream Team’s punter is Korey Allen of Loyd Star.

Asked about his defensive skills, Fields said, “I did thetechniques and the reads that the coaches showed me. I tried toexecute as fast as possible.”

Fields, an honor roll student, wants to play football at Harding(Ark.) University. He plans to major in international business.

Asked about his most memorable game this season, Fields said itwas versus Hinds AHS, on a rain-soaked field. “It poured the wholegame. We had fun diving in the water and mud.”

He said Class 2A state champion Bassfield impressed him themost. “They had speed at every position. They were fast.”

Loyd Star coach Ryan Ross said Fields is a cerebral player.”Davis is a true technician in the game of football. He will workon it until he gets it exactly the way it’s supposed to be.

“He has very good instincts and uses them to his advantage onthe field.”

Cordai Henderson (5-11, 264, sr.) was a defensive leader forCoach Tucker Peavey’s Panthers. He made 48 tackles this season.

Will Gatlin (6-3, 245, sr.) overcame a nagging back ailment andwas a 2-way starter for the Cougars. He recorded 86 tackles,including 20 solo hits.

Travis Leggett (6-0, 220, sr.) was an anchor on defense forEnterprise coach Wayne Rogers. He made 101 tackles, including 37solo stops.

Joseph Owens (6-2, 256, sr.) made 34 tackles for the Panthersthis season.

Jawaun Merchant (5-11, 282, jr.) collected 48 tackles as thePanthers marched to the Class 5A state playoffs.

Garrett Rushing (5-9, 170, soph.) accounted for 117 tackles,including 35 solo hits, as Coach Chris Calcote’s Bears finished2-9.

Jamison Powell (6-1, 180, sr.) made the most of his seniorseason and led the state champion Cougars with 161 tackles. He had33 solo stops and intercepted three passes.

Shamonte Brooks (5-10, 163, jr.) had 49 tackles for thePanthers.

Kevin Brothern (5-11, 230, soph.) led Coach Gareth Sartin’sBogue Chitto Bobcats in tackles with 144, including 17 solohits.

Jeffery Newton (6-2, 185, sr.) worked at free safety for thePanthers and made 49 tackles.

Fred Clark (5-10, 158, sr.) made 50 tackles and threeinterceptions for Loyd Star.

Jacoby Cooper (5-9, 189, jr.) made 37 tackles for Ole Book.

Chris Seals (5-8, 162, jr.) accounted for 34 tackles onBrookhaven’s defense.

Mark Rushing (6-0, 165, jr.) was credited with 119 tackles andthree interceptions in BA’s undefeated (15-0) campaign.

Korey Allen (6-2, 170, jr.) had one of the strongest legs in thecounty as he punted 18 times for a 39.7-yard average.