by Hunter Dawkins
With an increase of our football coverage for the 2018 season, The Gazebo Gazette posted scores for Pass Christian, Long Beach, St. Stanislaus, and West Harrison. Plenty of up-and-downs went for each team, even though St. Stanislaus (SSC) was the only to reach the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) playoffs. A statistic profile is given for the highlights of each player, although a few were missing from the team picture.
COACH OF THE YEAR: Nathan Encrapera, St. Stanislaus
Record (5-6, 4-1). Coach Encrapera joined the head coaching ranks for the Rockachaws after spending 8 years as an assistant. SSC hosted the first round of the 4A MHSAA Playoffs, but were upset by Northeast Lauderdale 28-12. Despite the loss, SSC produced just shy of 3500 yards total offense, 62 tackles for loss (TFL), 20 sacks, and 9 interceptions.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Cade Crosby, QB, Long Beach
Record (3-8, 1-6). Despite having to adjust to five new offensive lineman, a few different targets, and a new coaching scheme the junior quarterback put together a solid offensive package. Crosby was 125/248 passing for 2167 yards, 23 touchdowns to 7 interceptions for a rating of 99.6. On the ground, he carried the ball 91 times for 114 yards, but ran in for 5 touchdowns and helped orchestrate close to 3300 yards of total offense.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Nate McCormick, DE, St. Stanislaus
Record (5-6, 4-1). At his defensive end spot, the senior McCormick was a force to be reckoned with. Recording 94 total tackles, 8 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 2 hurries and 2 fumble recoveries led to controlling the line.
UTILITY OF THE YEAR: Keith Holloway, West Harrison
Record (2-9, 0-7). all around senior quarterback threw for 629 yards with 5 touchdowns, ran for 402 yards with 3 touchdowns, made 12 tackles, 1 interception, and returned 1 kickoff for a touchdown.
PASS CHRISTIAN ALL STARS:
Running Back – Gordon Ward = 726 yards on 89 carries offensively and 64 tackles defensively
Wide Receiver – Josh Tinson = 227 yards on 36 carries offensively and 49 tackles with 2 interceptions defensively
Offensive Lineman – Kenneth Nguyen = graded out 82% on the offensive line that produced just short of 1500 yards
Returner – Damonta May = all around player finishing with 282 yards rushing on 26 carries, 116 yards receiving with 7 receptions, 46 tackles with 4 interceptions defensively with one returned for a touchdown and returning a kickoff for a touchdown
Linebacker – Reese Gorman = accounted for over 150 tackles
Safety – Andrew Moffett = 273 yards offensively while collecting 63 tackles defensively
LONG BEACH ALL STARS:
Wide Receiver – Dalton Cook = 33 receptions, 583 yards, 17.7 yards per catch, 4 touchdowns
Wide Receiver – Kobe Cook = 38 receptions, 593 yards, 15.6 yards per catch, 5 touchdowns
Slot Receiver – Logan Matherne = 26 receptions, 406 yards, 15.6 yards per catch, 4 touchdowns
Offensive Lineman – Andrew McMillan = junior left tackle helped produce over 3300 yards of total offense
Linebacker – JR McFarland = 115 tackles, 5 TFLs, 2 Sacks, 1 Interception, 1 Fumble Recovery, 1 Touchdown
Defensive Back – D’lijah Robinson = 109 tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 Interception, 3 Fumble Recoveries, 1 Kickoff returned for a touchdown
Punter/Kicker – Kai Van Court = 21/27 Extra Point Conversion, 6/8 Fields Goals, 5 receptions, 102 yards, 1 touchdown
WEST HARRISON ALL STARS:
Running Back – Joseph Miller = 870 yards on 145 carries with 6 touchdowns and 37 yards on 4 receptions offensively along with 2 pancake blocks
Offensive Lineman – Austin Pickett = senior led the front five producing just shy of 3300 yards
All Purpose – Llanes Dickerson = accounted for 1019 total yards of offense; 705 rushing and 314 receiving with 9 touchdowns and 2 conversions of two-points. Additionally, he had 4 total tackles and 2 pancake blocks.
Defensive Tackle – Ja’Quawn Taylor = had 36 tackles, 5 TFLs, 3 sacks, 1 fumble recovery
Defensive End – Quesean Delgado = recorded 65 tackles, 8 TFLs, 3 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries
Linebacker – Gavin Burch = recorded 69 tackles, 6 TFLs, 2 fumble recoveries
Defensive Back – Jaden Williams = accounted for 67 tackles, 3 interceptions, 2 passes deflected, 1 safety
ST. STANISLAUS ALL STARS:
Running Back – Brandon Bordelon = 518 yards rushing with 8 touchdowns, 313 yards receiving with 1 touchdown and 1 kickoff return for a touchdown
Wide Receiver – Dallas Payne = 695 yards receiving with 3 touchdowns
Offensive Lineman – Ronald Aleman = senior guard who helped produce 3200 yards total offense
Offensive Lineman – Alex Rimmer = senior tackle who helped produce 3200 yards total offense
Defensive Tackle – Hogan Benvenutti = 78 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 Fumble Recovery
Linebacker/Punter – Lee Negrotto = 88 tackles, 14 TFLs, 5 Sacks defensively and 140 yards with 8 receptions offensively, 35.2 yards punting
Linebacker – Thomas Williams = 75 tackles, 8 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 interception defensively and 36 yards receiving with 4 receptions
Safety – Trace Rhodes = 84 tackles, 4 TFLs, 1 sack, 3 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery for a touchdown defensively and 41 yards rushing with one touchdown
Rover – Trustin Northington = 92 tackles, 5 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 interception, 2 fumble recoveries, and 11 pass deflections
Defensive Back/Kicker – William Weber = 68 tackles, 3 TFLs, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery defensively and 26/27 extra point conversions with 1/2 field goals
*Honorable mentions will be listed at a later date and plans for a banquet are in the works.
