MACCC-high 14 Bulldogs named All-South Division
PERKINSTON — Mississippi Gulf Coast led all teams in voting among division coaches with 14 players named to the All-MACCC South Division squad, the league announced Friday. The Bulldogs also swept all four Most Valuable Player awards for the division.
Deondre House (So., Senatobia/Senatobia) was named the MVP Offensive Back, while Hayden Shook (So., Germantown/Starkville) earned the Offensive Line award. Brian Merritt (So., Colquitt County/Moultrie, Ga.) won the Defensive Line award, and Navonteque Strong (So., Scott Central/Forest) was the MVP Defensive Back.
MACCC coaches elected not to vote for an All-Region 23 squad because there was no crossover play between the divisions.
Five Bulldogs were named to the First Team Defense:
DL Brian Merritt (So., Colquitt County/Moultrie, Ga.) has 30 total tackles, seven tackles for loss and a sack from his interior line position. He also recovered a fumble on his way to his MVP award.
Head Coach Jack Wright says: "Brian's been a dominant force in the South Division for two years. He's very difficult to block and has the respect of every offensive coach and every offensive lineman in this division."
LB Navonteque Strong (So., Scott Central/Forest) led the MACCC with 11.5 tackles for loss and ranked second in sacks. His 53 total tackles led Gulf Coast and ranked fourth in the league, and he added two forced fumbles and two pass breakups. He was twice named MACCC Defensive Player of the Week to help him earn MVP.
Head Coach Jack Wright says: "Bug is an unbelievable talent with unbelievable character. He can go to the highest highs in the world of football, and I'm really looking forward to seeing where he winds up. He'll make us all proud."
LB Mike Smith (So., Ridgeland/Flora) finished second among Bulldogs with 46 total tackles, including three sacks. He was named MACCC Player of the Week for a 13-tackle effort against Hinds in a 31-24 overtime win that also saw him return an interception for a touchdown.
Head Coach Jack Wright says: "Mike is all over the field and is a ballhawk. He's very versatile, and I can't ever remember him missing a talent. He's incredible in coverage and an all-around great football player."
DB Malik Jones (So., Grenada/Grenada) finished third on the team with 37 total tackles. He also had two tackles for loss and broke up four passes.
Head Coach Jack Wright says: "Malik is a ballhawk and a great open-field tackler. He's a hard worker and great character kid. I'm really, really proud he's here, and he's going to have an incredible career in football."
DB Leon Jones (So., North Forrest/Hattiesburg) broke up seven passes and had 10 total tackles.
Head Coach Jack Wright says: "Leon came here as a walk-on and just absolutely worked himself into a great corner. He's great in zone and great in man-to-man, very physical. He has all the attributes a coach would want."
Six Gulf Coast players earned First Team Offense honors:
RB Deondre House (So., Senatobia/Senatobia) led the MACCC with 607 yards, averaging more than 40 yards per game more than the next running back. He scored five touchdowns on the way to earning his MVP award.
Head Coach Jack Wright says: "Deondre has had an incredible year. He's made a lot of huge runs in timely moments. Anybody who's been to our game enjoys watching him play the game of football."
OL Hayden Shook (So., Germantown/Starkville) had 33 knockdown blocks and graded out at 81 percent on the way to earning his MVP award. He helped pave the way for the MACCC's leading offense at 501.6 yards per game.
Head Coach Jack Wright says: "Hayden has been a dominant force for us at left guard. We've got the No. 1 offense in the state statistically. We've been able to run and throw, and that's in large part due to his protection and creating space in the run game."
QB Philip Short (Fr., Madison-Ridgeland Academy/Flowood) completed 77 of 133 passes for 1,212 yards in his first season. He threw for 11 touchdowns and just two interceptions.
Head Coach Jack Wright says: "Philip has definitely gotten better over the course of the season. He's shown solid leadership, and all of his numbers have gradually improved. He's got a high football IQ and understands where the ball should go."
WR Jalen Bracey (So., Murrah/Jackson) caught passes for 512 yards to rank second in the MACCC. His 26 receptions were third-most in the conference, and he scored four touchdowns receiving and one rushing.
Head Coach Jack Wright says: "I can't say enough about Jalen because he comes to work every day. He goes hard at practice every single rep, and that shows up in games. He's difficult to cover in man-to-man situations and is able to sit down in zones and make tough catches."
TE Oliver Moreman (So., Lawrence County/Monticello) caught only one pass, but he was a vital member of the blocking efforts which saw Gulf Coast lead the MACCC in rushing (223.6 yards per game) and passing (278 yards per game).
Head Coach Jack Wright says: "Oliver has been a two-year starter who doesn't always show up in the stat sheet. He always creates an extra gap and creates issues by being smart and being able to move around in the run game, and he's great as an extra guy in the passing game."
OL Quincy McGee (So., Hattiesburg/Hattiesburg) had 33 knockdown blocks and graded at 85 percent from his guard position for the conference's No. 1 offense.
Head Coach Jack Wright says: "Quincy has been a dominant force at guard. He's really good at pulling and in pass protection. All the numbers we've gotten have been in a large part a tribute to his play."
One Bulldog earned a First-Team slot among specialists:
RET Jymetre Hester (So., Glades Central/Belle Glade, Fla.) averaged 23.1 yards returning kickoffs and 5.5 yards returning punts. Additionally, he caught 13 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns.
Head Coach Jack Wright says: "Hester is an explosive football player. You never know when he's going to score from anywhere on the field. That's a scary thought for a lot of defensive coaches."
Two MGCCC players earned Second-Team spots:
OL Carson Williams (Fr., Scott Central/Forest) had 27 knockdown blocks and graded at 78 percent.
Head Coach Jack Wright says: "Carson is an incredible talent, and we were fortunate to get him as a transfer in the offseason. He very athletic for his size. He can run, he can bend and move side to side. He's been a dynamic player at tackle."
DL Jae'Vien Gill (So., Neshoba Central/Philadelphia) had 11 total tackles and two sacks.
Head Coach Jack Wright says: "Gill has worked into being an absolute force on the perimeter. His size really creates problems for a lot of offensive linemen. For him to move like that at his size is a unique blend."
First Team Offense (6)
QB Philip Short (Fr., Madison-Ridgeland Academy/Flowood)
RB Deondre House (So., Senatobia/Senatobia)
WR Jalen Bracey (So., Murrah/Jackson)
TE Oliver Moreman (So., Lawrence County/Monticello)
OL Hayden Shook (So., Germantown/Starkville)
OL Quincy McGee (So., Hattiesburg/Hattiesburg)
First Team Defense (5)
DL Brian Merritt (So., Colquitt County/Moultrie, Ga.)
LB Navonteque Strong (So., Scott Central/Forest)
LB Mike Smith (So., Ridgeland/Flora)
DB Malik Jones (So., Grenada/Grenada)
DB Leon Jones (So., North Forrest/Hattiesburg)
First Team Special Teams (1)
RET Jymetre Hester (So., Glades Central/Belle Glade, Fla.)
Second Team Offense (1)
OL Carson Williams (Fr., Scott Central/Forest)
Second Team Defense (1)
DL Jae'Vien Gill (So., Neshoba Central/Philadelphia)
For more information on MGCCC's 10 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCBulldogs on Twitter and MGCCCBulldogs on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.
