All-County’s Mr. Football can do it all
Published 7:00 pm Saturday, December 24, 2011
Offense. Defense. Special Teams.
Brookhaven Academy senior Christian (Bubba) Keene can do it all andmake it look easy. He can catch passes, run the football and kickextra points on the offensive side. On defense, he makes tacklesand interceptions. He also punts the football and kicks off.
The 6-foot-4, 190-pound Keene showed flashes of greatness duringBA’s outstanding 2011 campaign, helping them to a 10-3 worksheetand the second round of the Class AA state playoffs. That efforthas earned him the title of Mr. Football and Overall Most ValuablePlayer on The DAILY LEADER’s ALL-Lincoln County Football Team.
Special Dream Team honors also went to BA quarterback Gage Posey,the Most Valuable Offensive Player.
Joining Posey at quarterback is BHS signal caller Zach Smith. TheAll-County running backs are Justin Blue of Brookhaven, BrandonWells of Bogue Chitto and Landon Nettles of Brookhaven Academy.
At wide receiver are Keene, teammate Will Lucas, Germie Martin ofBogue Chitto and Ross Hill of Brookhaven.
Offensive linemen are Tyler Collins, B.J. Robinson and CodyWinters, all of Brookhaven; Hunter Franklin and Ken Britt ofBrookhaven Academy and Jeremy Blackwell of Bogue Chitto.
Stephen Davey of BHS is the placekicker.
All-purpose players are Colton McClendon and Brock Roberts of BogueChitto.
Keene entered the campaign with high expectations and he didn’tdisappoint. He caught 45 passes for 774 yards and 8 touchdowns. Herushed for 267 yards and 2 TDs.
On defense, Keene accounted for 112 tackles (28 solo) and threeinterceptions. He averaged 36.6 yards on 13 kickoff returns, 3 forTDs. He also averaged 20.2 yards on 13 punt returns and scored 1TD.
“Bubba is exceptional on both sides of the ball,” said BA coachTripp McCarty. “His overall play was special. He did a great jobliving up to the hype. He can cover wideouts on defense and catchpasses all over the offense.”
Keene has run a legitimate 4.5 in the 40-yard dash.
McCarty said Keene’s desire to win makes him a unique athlete.”Bubba competes hard. He hates to lose.”
Asked about the season, Keene said, “We had a lot of good leaderson our team. Our offensive linemen really stepped it up andimproved this season.”
Keene has made a verbal commitment to play football and baseballfor Copiah-Lincoln Community College. An outstanding hitter andoutfielder, Keene anticipates being a prime selection in June’sMajor League Baseball Draft.
Currently, he is a starter on BA’s basketball team. As a sophomore,he helped win three state championships: football, basketball andbaseball. He has three rings to show for it.
Gage Posey (6-2, 170,jr.) filled the air with footballs inMcCarty’s spread offense. He completed 129 of 242 passes for 2,012yards and 24 TDs. He also rushed for 343 yards and 6 TDs.
Posey is a southpaw whowears jersey No. 15 in honor of Denver Broncos and former FloridaHeisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow.
“Gage throws a good ball and he works hard to improve his skills,”said McCarty. “He’s a very accurate passer.”
Zach Smith (6-1, 175, jr.) was a first-year starter as he helpedled the Panthers to the state playoffs and a 7-4 record. Hecompleted 62-125 passes for 1,013 yards and 15 touchdowns. He alsorushed for 355 yards and 3 TDs.
Justin Blue (5-9, 180, jr.) was a workhorse for the Panthers andovercame nagging leg injuries to rush for 586 yards and 5 TDs.
Brandon Wells (6-1,165, jr.) used his exceptional speed and quickness to rush for1,212 yards and score 11 TDs for the Bobcats.
Landon Nettles (5-10, 185, so.) rush for 1,194 yards and scored 12TDs, giving the Cougars a rushing threat in a pass-mindedoffense.
Ross Hill (6-2, 185, sr.) caught 23 passes for 556 yards and 9 TDsin leading the Panther receiving corps into the Class 5A stateplayoffs.
Germie Martin (6-1, 165, jr.) caught 45 passes for 948 yards and 17TDs at Bogue Chitto.
Will Lucas (6-1, 170, sr.) had 22 pass receptions for 332 yards and4 TDs.
Ken Britt (6-1, 240, sr.) was an anchor on offense and defense forthe Cougars.
Tyler Collins (5-11, 270, sr.) was a 3-year starter for thePanthers.
Jeremy Blackwell (6-0, 235, so.) had 26 pancake blocks for theBobcats.
B.J. Robinson (6-3, 245, jr.) played a key role in Brook’soffensive success.
Cody Winters (6-2, 270, sr.) improved each week according to BHShead coach Wade Henderson.
Hunter Franklin (5-10, 220, sr.) was a 3-year starter for theCougars and worked on defense, too.
Stephen Davey (5-8, 155, sr.) drew his first starting assignment asOle Brook’s punter and placekicker. He made 19 extra points and 2of 3 field goal attempts.
Colton McClendon (5-9, 170, sr.) worked on offense and defense forthe Bobcats.. he rushed for 665 yards and 78 TDs. He made 53tackles on defense.
Brock Roberts (6-0, 170 so.) showed his talents on offense, passing for 910 yards and 14TDs. He rushed for 378 yards and 6 TDs. On defense, he made 120tackles, including 31 solo stops.