McNair, Griffin, McCullum top WDAM-Hair World of Laurel
All-Area Football Team
By Shawn Wansley
JCJC Sports Information Director
ELLISVILLE – The 25th WDAM-Hair World of Laurel All-Area Football Team was honored here at the Jones County Junior College Banquet Room Monday afternoon.
And this year's edition could be the most talented in the history of all of those teams.
"I don't know if we have had more kids from our area get recognized statewide and nationally than we have had this year," said WDAM Sports Director Mitchell Williams, who puts the team together along with WDAM sportscaster Heather Cook. "We have sent out more video to more people this year than ever before. We have had more inquiries about area kids than any other year. There was so much interest in our kids in both the public and private schools.
"People all over are finding out we've got the best coaches, we've got great kids and tremendous schools around here. More than anything else, we've got great support."
Williams also noted as many as 13 of this year's team members could sign Division I-A scholarships in February.
This year's team is headed by the Player of the Year, Mt. Olive's Steve McNair, Jr., along with Offensive Most Valuable Player Nick Griffin, a Perry Central running back, and Defensive Most Valuable Player Dasmond McCullum, an end from West Jones.
McNair, a Southern Miss commitment, played everywhere for the Warriors. He rushed 66 times for 311 yards and 10 touchdowns, threw for 151 yards and one touchdown, and had 61 receptions for 709 yards and eight touchdowns. He also had eight punt returns for 102 yards and one touchdown and nine kickoff returns for 306 yards and one touchdown. He had 54 tackles defensively and had four pass interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns.
Griffin, who is uncommitted, rushed for 2,000-plus yards and 25 touchdowns for Perry Central. McCullum, who committed to Southern Miss before the season, is regarded as one of the top prospects in the state.
The All-Area Co-Coaches of the Year were Lance Mancuso of Bassfield and Perry Murphy of Mt. Olive, who led their teams to the 2A and 1A state championships, respectively, this season. Mancuso is the first, two-time Coach of the Year, having also earned the honor at Seminary several years ago.
The banquet featured comments from Hair World of Laurel owner Richard Brown, JCJC head football coach Eddie Pierce and former Bobcat football standout Anthony Maddox, who is now running the Anthony Maddox Foundation to help single-parent families and underprivileged youngsters.
2009 WDAM/Hair World of Laurel All-Area Football Team
Co-Coaches of the Year – Perry Murphy, Mt. Olive; Lance Mancuso, Bassfield.
Player of the Year – Steve McNair, Jr., Mt Olive.
Offensive Player of the Year – Nick Griffin, Perry Central.
Defensive Player of the Year – Dasmond McCullum, West Jones.
QUARTERBACK
Dominique Sullivan-Taylorsville; Demarcus Henderson-Wayne County; James McMahon-Oak Grove; Clint Hatten-Stone County; Devin Burch-Mize.
FULLBACK
RaKeem Sims-Richton; Tim Feazell-Mt. Olive.
RUNNING BACK
Nick Griffin-Perry Central; Jay Hughes-Oak Grove; Josh Myers-Bassfield; Marcquise Hosey-Hattiesburg; Xavier Grindle-East Marion.
WIDE RECEIVER
Steve McNair, Jr., Mt. Olive; Jonathan Duncan, Oak Grove; D'aunte Magee, West Marion; Cade Martin, Presbyterian Christian School; Malik Lofton, Wayne County; Chris Smith, Laurel; Chavez Sims, Mize.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Melvin Meggs-Petal; Chad Thorne-Petal; David Brown-Stringer; Allen Anderson-Purvis; Brett Saul-West Jones; Josh Price-Columbia Academy; McKay Tingle-Greene County; Stephan Waldrop-Sylva-Bay Academy.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Vince Taylor-Oak Grove; Jertysen "J.T." Myers, Perry Central; Michael Ross, Taylorsville; Marcus Hosey, Bassfield; Corey Boothe, Heidelberg Academy.
DEFENSIVE END
Justin Penn, Bassfield; Dasmond McCullum, West Jones; Ronald Payton, Bay Springs; Corvell Harrison, Northeast Jones; Michael Muli, North Forrest.
LINEBACKER
Walter Smith, Laurel; Matt Roberts, Greene County; Forest Hill, South Jones; John McNabb, Hattiesburg; Will McMahon, Seminary; Trey Collier, Forrest County AHS; Marion Chapman, Wayne County; Jerrell Gandy, Wayne County.
DEFENSIVE BACK
R.J. Spivery, George County; Derrick Bourne, Columbia; Darius Holder, Lumberton; Rashod Merritt, Lumberton.
SAFETY
Shon Rankin, Wayne County; Isaiah Jackson, Forrest County AHS; Calvin Jones, Petal; Gary Hayes, North Forrest; Darrion Arrington, Stone County.
SPECIAL TEAM
Will Scott-George County/kicker; Dylan Sobiesk-Oak Grove/punter; Hunter Graves-Sumrall/long snapper; Leonard Johnson-East Marion/kick returner.
ATHLETE
Snoop Rollins, North Forrest; Tevin Chapman, Hattiesburg; Robert Johnson, Oak Grove; Anthony Alford-Petal; Mitchell Brown-Greene County; Bruce Greer-Perry Central; Cody Pruitt-Sylva-Bay Academy; Rueben Duckworth-Mt. Olive.
