Jaden Allen, Brookhaven High

A sophomore quarterback, Allen stayed healthy in 2024 and helped push Brookhaven High (11-2) to the MHSAA 5A semifinals for the first time since 2010. Allen went 81-of-172 passing for 1,176 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. On the ground, the fleet footed Allen rushed 140 times for 829 yards and eight touchdowns for coach Tucker Peavey and the Panthers. An All-Region selection, the 5-foot-10, 160-pound Allen battled injuries as a freshman starter last season and is one of the fastest players in this part of the state as he also stars for the 5A state champion BHS track and field program.

Cole Gibson, Wesson

A senior quarterback, Gibson is a repeat All-Area selection that bumped his output in 2024 to once again lead Wesson (7-3) to the 3A postseason. An All-Region selection, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound Gibson went 109-of-198 for 1,855 yards, 26 touchdowns and just six interceptions. Gibson also picked up 200 yards on the ground and scored four rushing touchdowns for coach Jeremy Loy and the Cobras to cap off his career.

Alex Michael Roberts, Bogue Chitto

A sophomore quarterback, Roberts stepped up admirably in his first season as a full-time starter for the Bogue Chitto Bobcats (6-5). Roberts went 89-of-161 passing for 1,186 yards, 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Roberts also rushed for 157 yards for coach BJ Smithhart in earning All-Region honors. The 5-foot-8, 150-pound Roberts completed 55.3 percent of his passes in helping Bogue Chitto win its first playoff game since 2012.

Phillip Ross Spencer, Loyd Star

A sophomore quarterback, Spencer got it done with both his arm and his legs in 2024 while leading the single-wing offensive attack employed by Loyd Star (10-3). Spencer went 28-of-63 passing for 403 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions. An All-Region selection, the 6-foot-1, 170-pound Spencer rushed for 731 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground for head coach Adam Smith. Spencer also won a state championship this season at Loyd Star in golf while helping the football team win Region 7-2A and reach the third round of the 2A postseason.

Devon McDuffey, Lawrence County

A junior running back, McDuffey led Lawrence County (3-7) in carries and yards in 2024 from his fullback position in the Cougar’s double-wing offense. McDuffey carried the ball 128 times for 747 yards, averaging 5.8 yards per carry while scoring seven touchdowns. The LC rushing game had three backs go over the 500-yard mark on the season for coach Jesse Anderson and a Lawrence County squad that made the 4A playoffs.

Jayden Poole, Bogue Chitto

A sophomore running back, Poole was a big play machine with the ball in his hands for the Bogue Chitto (6-5) offense in 2024. Poole carried the ball 128 times for 973 yards, averaging 7.6 yards per carry for coach BJ Smithhart and his staff. Poole led the way with 12 rushing touchdowns, and he also caught 16 passes for 240 yards and four more scores. A dangerous player with the ball in his hands, Poole was also named Region 7-2A Special Teams MVP in recognition of his skills as a kick returner.

Caiden Quarles, Brookhaven High

A junior running back, Quarles turned into a workhorse for the Brookhaven High (11-2) offense in 2024. Quarles got better as the season went on and carried the ball 209 times for 1,281 yards and 16 touchdowns. Quarles rushed for 256 yards on 39 carries against Natchez High and then followed that up with 245 yards on 12 carries to open the playoff against Vancleave. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Quarles was also named All-Region for coach Tucker Peavey and the Panthers and was an important piece last year for a MHSAA 5A state championship track and field team at Brookhaven High.

Walt Smith, Brookhaven Academy

A junior athlete, Smith was a guy that first year Brookhaven Academy (3-8) head coach Ryan Ross wanted to make sure touched the ball in the Cougars split-back veer offense. Smith rushed for 409 yards and three touchdowns. An instinctive player that can be plugged in a number of positions, he also led the Brookhaven Academy defense with four interceptions along with 27 tackles and five pass deflections.

Tristan Fortenberry, Loyd Star

A sophomore wide receiver, Fortenberry was the top pass catcher this season for the Loyd Star (10-3) offense. Fortenberry hauled in 13 passes for 245 yards and six touchdowns. The 6-foot, 175-pound Fortenberry is also one of the primary ball carriers in the single-wing attack used by the Loyd Star offense. An All-Region selection, he rushed for 405 yards on 63 carries while also scoring six rushing touchdowns for coach Adam Smith.

Noah Magee, Bogue Chitto

A senior wide receiver, Magee had the best season of his career in his final year playing football at Bogue Chitto (6-5). The 6-foot-5 Magee is also a basketball standout and a repeat All-Area selection in football who is committed to next play at Belhaven University. This season he caught 36 passes for 523 yards and five touchdowns to earn All-Region honors for BC head coach BJ Smithhart on the gridiron for the Bobcats.

AJ Raiford, Enterprise

A junior wide receiver, Raiford was the top pass catcher for an Enterprise (6-5) squad that made the MHSAA 1A playoffs before losing to eventual runner-up Simmons High. Raiford hauled in 31 catches for 492 yards and three touchdowns for coach Trey Woodard. The 6-foot-2, 175-pound Raiford also had two rushing touchdowns for the Yellow Jackets in 2024.

Damarion Smith, Wesson

A sophomore wide receiver, Smith has stepped up to be next in a long line of dynamic pass catchers in the Wesson (7-3) offense. The 5-foot-10, 165-pound Smith caught 27 passes for 515 yards and eight touchdowns in 2024. Smith averaged 19.1 yards per catch and had a season-long catch that went for 73 yards. Smith was also named All-Region and Region Special Teams MVP for coach Jeremy Loy as he returned one punt for a score and two kickoffs for touchdowns this season. Smith also snagged three interceptions as a defensive back.

DeShawn Smith, Wesson

A senior wide receiver, Smith was the Region 7-3A Offensive MVP after having another outstanding season with the ball in his hands for Wesson (7-3). A three-time All-Area selection and MAC 3A All-State pick this season, Smith caught 44 passes for 833 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior. His long catch went for 70 yards and the 5-foot-11, 185-pound Smith also carried the ball 46 times on the ground for 315 yards and team-high six rushing touchdowns. Smith was an iron-man for coach Jeremy Loy, also grabbing one interception and causing five fumbles for the Cobras on defense.

Timmothy Smith, Brookhaven High

A junior wide receiver, Smith was the top pass catcher for Brookhaven High (11-2) and an improved passing offense. Smith caught 18 passes for 305 yards and four touchdowns. He averaged 16.9 yards per catch and also had one rushing touchdown, as he averaged 6.4 yards per carry. Expect the 6-foot, 165-pound Smith to again be one of the leaders in the skills position group next season for coach Tucker Peavey.

Prewitt Falvey, Enterprise

A senior offensive lineman, Falvey was one of the lead blockers up front for a senior heavy, experienced offensive line group at Enterprise (6-5). The 6-foot-1, 280-pound Falvey played offensive guard after previously spending most of his time on the defensive side of the line as an underclassman. Falvey was also an outstanding kicker (six touchbacks on kickoffs) and punter (season long punt went for 60 yards).

Joseph Martin, West Lincoln

A senior offensive lineman, Martin was an iron man for the Bears as he rarely came off the field in 2024 for West Lincoln (1-9) football. A multi-year starter on the offensive line, defensive line and a long snapper, Martin was selected All-Region for coach Johnny Ball.

Zacarias  Richardson, Brookhaven High

A junior offensive lineman, Richardson has developed into one of the key pieces up front for a Brookhaven High (11-2) offensive line that was filled with young, talented players in 2024. The 5-foot-10, 245-pound plays guard and was named All-Region and MAC All-State for coach Tucker Peavey. Richardson even got three carries, two of which went for touchdowns, in goal line situations for the Panthers.

Jatavious Robertson, Lawrence County

A senior offensive lineman, Robertson ended his career by again being one of the top road graders up front for the offensive line at Lawrence County (3-7). The 6-foot-2, 330-pound Robertson  was a multi-year starter for coach Jesse Anderson and the Lawrence County Cougars as the program made the 4A playoffs again in 2024.

Cole Spencer, Brookhaven Academy

A junior offensive lineman, Spencer is a repeat All-Area selection after once again being a leader up front for Brookhaven Academy (3-8) from the tackle position. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Spencer started on both sides of the offensive line for the Cougars and head coach. As a defensive lineman, he made 29 tackles, five for a loss, and had two sacks and an interception.

Joe Taylor, Loyd Star

A junior offensive lineman, Taylor was voted Most Valuable Lineman in Region 7-2A after helping lead Loyd Star (10-3) to the third round of the 2A playoffs. The 6-foot, 26-0-pound Taylor was also All-Region and selected MAC 2A All-State. An inside tackle on the offensive line of the single-wing offense used by Loyd Star, Taylor is also a key defensive lineman as a tackle for coach Adam Smith and the Hornets. On defense, he accounted for 56 tackles, including seven for a loss, and one sack.

Buck Thompson, Wesson

A senior offensive lineman, Thompson finished his career by again being a physical, pacesetter up front for the Wesson (7-3) offensive line. The 6-foot, 250-pound Thompson, whose first name is Brett, was named All-Region for coach Jeremy Loy. Thompson also made 26 tackles while playing on the defensive line for the Cobras.

Tyler Hall, West Lincoln

A senior return man, Hall is a repeat All-Area selection who again left it all on the field for West Lincoln (1-9) in 2024. Hall did a little bit of everything as a returner, pass catcher, and ball carrier for first-year WL head coach Johnny Ball. The 5-foot-4, 120-pound Hall also shined defensively at safety, where he had six interceptions, 107 tackles and 15 passes defended to help him earn All-Region honors.