Deon Moore made a strong comeback from ACL knee surgery, suffered early last season. The West Lincoln senior rushed for over 1,000 yards this season, including a 215-yard performance last Friday night against the Sacred Heart Crusaders in the Bears’ 32-7 triumph.

     That performance has earned Moore The DAILY LEADER’s Offensive Player of the Week award.

     The victory also gave West Lincoln its first-ever winning record since the football program began in 1998.

     West Lincoln first-year coach Willie Brumfield said Moore has been a valuable asset to his team. “Deon has all the tools to be a good running back and he’s a great person, too. He really plays hard.”

     Moore (5-11, 190) uses his natural skills of speed and quickness  to gain extra yardage. Brumfield said he also has “a great attitude and work ethic.”

     Asked about his favorite play, Moore said, “It’s either a 36 or 37. My guards pull and get me outside.”

     On the corners, Moore uses his skills to zip past defenders. He credits his offensive with much of his success.

     “Our line has been in the weight room all summer,” said Moore. “They open some big holes for me.”

     Working in the trenches for the Bears are right guard Tyler Moak, right tackle Nicholas Burns, center Jarrod White, left guard Nathaniel Fauver and left tackle Austin Patt.

     His comeback from knee surgery is an inspiration to other injured players. “I went through a lot of therapy,” during rehab. “It took a couple of games for me to get going again.”

     Moore rushed 34 times Friday night and the Bears spoiled Sacred Heart’s homecoming celebration that was held on San Antonio Field in Hattiesburg.

     “It was the end of the year so I had to play my hardest,” said Moore.

     It was the second year for the Bears  to play an independent schedule. After reclassification in December by the Mississippi High School Activities Association, they are expecting a return to either Region 4-1A or a promotion to Region 6-2A,  joining the likes of Loyd Star, Enterprise, Wesson, Amite County, Puckett and Madison St. Joseph.

     Moore is the 18-year-old son of Denise Porter, a former track athlete at Brookhaven. His father, Samuel Moore, played football at Lawrence County and Copiah-Lincoln Community College.

     Deon has a younger brother, Samuel,  an eighth grade running back for West Lincoln; and a younger sister, Monice, a seventh grade basketball player.

     Moore said Coach Brumfield has improved his skills at running back  and encouraged him to achieve in the classroom, too. “Coach Brumfield taught me lots of stuff. He showed me how to run the ball once I got outside. He got my grades up.”

     Asked about his future, Moore said he wants to become a physical therapist. He also wants to play college football.

     Moore used to play basketball for West Lincoln but he has made football his No. 1 priority.

     “I’m going to spend my time in the weight room so I can get stronger and faster,” said Moore. He likes Mississippi State but his favorite college team is Oklahoma.

     He wears jersey No. 25. His favorite NFL player, Adrian Peterson, wears jersey No. 28. “Those are my two favorite numbers.”

     Naturally, his favorite NFL team is Minnesota.