Several athletes compiled impressive numbers in 2014 as they highlight The DAILY LEADER’s All-Area Offensive Team this year.

Brookhaven’s senior running back Tre McDaniel had an amazing season for the Panthers as he powered Ole Brook’s rushing attack with 229 carries for 1,573 yards and scored 21 rushing touchdown. For this accomplishment, he has been selected as The DAILY LEADER’s Overall Most Valuable Offensive Player.

Brookhaven Academy’s senior quarterback Heath Hickman also had a great year for the Cougars. Hickman completed 154 passes out of 248 attempts for 1,723 yards and 13 touchdowns. For this impressive accomplishment, Hickman earns The DAILY LEADER’s Most Valuable Quarterback honors.

This offensive dream team is made up of players inside and outside of Lincoln County with stats being provided by high school coaches. Having 11 schools in The DAILY LEADER’s coverage area, the dream team selection has been reformatted to first team selection with second team selection and honorable mention.

The All-Area Defensive team will be revealed next Sunday.

Joining Hickman, at quarterback on the first team selection is Charl’Tez Nunnery of Lawrence County.

Helping McDaniel in the backfield are Benard Selmon of Franklin County, Quitten Brown of Lawrence County and Michael Miller of Hazlehurst.

The aerial attack features wide receivers Farrod Green of Wesson, William King of Brookhaven Academy and Dee Dillon of Bogue Chitto.

The offensive line includes Brandon Rice of Brookhaven, Conner Quin of Franklin County, Wanya Morris of Brookhaven, Garrett Pace of Brookhaven Academy and Noah McLaurin of Lawrence County.

Tyler Mixon of Brookhaven was selected as the team place kicker. Cyrus Goodwin of Hazlehurst has been selected as the Return Specialist.

Ty Forman of West Lincoln and Brett Calcote of Loyd Star are the all-purpose players.

The players receiving second team honors were Dematre Collins of Franklin County and Tyler Christmas at quarterback.

In the backfield are Ken Boyd of Brookhaven, Connor Dorman of Brookhaven Academy, T-Tex Cole of Lawrence County and Zac Arnold of Loyd Star at the running back position.

For the receivers were Caleb Brown of Brookhaven Academy, Jayden Rushing of West Lincoln and Kobe Roberts of Bogue Chitto.

Working in the trenches of the offensive line is James Thomas of Franklin County, Ben McCarroll of Brookhaven Academy, Stephen Springfield of Brookhaven, Jessie Hedgepeth of Lawrence County and Jared Dillon of Brookhaven.

Second team place kicker was Josh Stephens of Lawrence County. Michael White was chosen as the return specialist. Parker Flowers of Loyd Star and Tucker Lambert of Bogue Chitto earned the All-Purpose honors.

 Tre McDaniel (5-9, 195, sr.)  entered the 2014 campaign with high expectations, and he didn’t disappoint. He rushed for 1,573 yards on 229 carries for 21 touchdowns.

McDaniel, 17, is the son of Falana McDaniel.

“The season was going well until we suddenly lost two of our teammates,” McDaniel said. “It was a really tough emotional time for everyone to handle, but I believe that with the help of our community and school, we managed to pull through it on a day-to-day basis.”

McDaniel talked about the game against South Jones, which were just a few days after the accident.

“I had mixed emotions about playing the game,” McDaniel said. “I really did not want to play, but after a good night’s rest, I woke up energized. It was like their spirits were there motivating me to play the game. That night everyone on the team came out ready and played an outstanding game to honor them.”

McDaniel led the Panthers ground attack that night with 12 rushes for 173 yards and three touchdowns.

Tre McDaniel mentioned that he would love to play college football if given the opportunity.

“Tre is extremely deserving of this award,” BHS Coach Tommy Clopton said. “He’s a very talented young man with a bright future ahead of him. Not only is he a great player, but he’s a great teammate as well.”

Heath Hickman (5-11, 150, sr.)  filled the air with footballs in Coach Blake Purvis’ passing attack.

Hickman, 18, is the son of Andrew and Karen Hickman. He enjoys hunting when he is not participating in other high school activities.

“It is an honor to be recognized as one of the best quarterback in the area,” Hickman said.

Hickman stated that he is planning to attend Ole Miss after he graduate to pursue a career in business.

“Coach Purvis is a great coach,” he said. “We knew coming in that we had to learn a whole new offensive game plan, but Coach taught it to us really well. He is the best coach that I have had.”

“Heath had a great year,” BA Coach Purvis said. “He put in a lot of extra time watching film and learning in order to be more productive on the field.

“From day one Heath was coach-able which was very beneficial in learning a whole new offensive scheme,” Purvis continued. “He really picked up on our schemes quickly and had a great knowledge of our offense and that showed on the field. His drive and determination are what make him successful. He was never satisfied, and he always wanted to know what he could do or how he could get better. Heath is a very special competitor. He is living proof that heart and determination can produce great results.”

DAILY LEADER’s FIRST TEAM Offensive 

Charl’Tez Nunnery (5-9, 150, soph.)  ran Lawrence County’s offense. He completed 69 of 131 passes for 1,005 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Benard Selmon (5-9, 190, sr.)  rushed for 958 yards on 223 carries in 11 games as the Bulldogs posted a 7-4 worksheet, winning their first division crown since 2006

Quitten Brown (5-7, 185, soph.)  Lawrence County’s speedster accounted for 844 rushing yards and 15 TDs for the Cougars.

Michael Miller (5-7, 200, jr.) used his blazing speed to gain 600 yards and scored seven TDs for the Indians.

Farrod Green (6-5, 220, sr.)  used his speed and good hands to catch 25 passes for 409 yards and eight TDs for the Cobras.

William King (6-1, 175, jr.) was Brookhaven Academy’s leading receiver with 45 catches for 637 yards and three TDs.

Dee Dillon (5-9, 150, soph.) was Bogue Chitto’s leading receiver with 48 receptions for 599 yards and six TDs.

Brandon Rice (6-1, 260, jr.) was one of the leaders on BHS offensive line.

Conner Quin (5-10, 250, sr.) worked in the trenches in the Bulldogs’ offense.

Wanya Morris (6-0, 255, jr.)  showed off his veteran skills in Ole Brook’s line.

Garrett Pace (6-4, 240, sr.)  played a huge role in Brookhaven Academy’s offensive line.

Noah McLaurin (6-0, 240, sr.)  was instrumental in the LCHS rushing attack.

Tyler Mixon (5-5, 118, fr.) had a standout season as kicker for the Panthers with his leg. Mixon made 29 of 38 extra point attempts and nailed four out of five field goal attempts with his longest being 33 yards.

Cyrus Goodwin (5-8, 195, sr.)  brought plenty of excitement to the gridiron for Hazlehurst with his kickoff and punt returns. He averaged 40 yards on kickoffs and 33 yards of punt returns.

Ty Forman (5-10, 180, sr.)  had an amazing senior year in leading the Bears with their first ever playoff experience. Forman threw for 585 yards and rushed for 597 yards on the season.

Brett Calcote (6-2, 200, sr.)  powered the Loyd Star’s rushing attack with 99 carries for 685 yards and scored seven touchdowns.

DAILY LEADER’s SECOND TEAM Offensive 

Dematre Collins (5-8, 170, soph.)  ran Franklin County’s offense. He completed 42 of 83 passes for 549 yards and rushed for 547 yards on 111 carries.

Tyler Christmas (6-0, 160, sr.) brought plenty of excitement to the gridiron for the Cobras. He led the passing attack by completing 38 of 103 passes for 721 yards and had 102 carries for 202 rushing yards with a total of nine touchdowns.

Ken Boyd (5-11, 192, sr.)  was an impact player for the Panthers, rushing for 639 yards on 111 carries and four touchdowns.

T-Tez Cole (5-11, 215, jr.)  was Lawrence County’s second leading rushing with 675 yards and the number one receiver with 17 receptions for 417 yards for a total of 13 TDs.

Connor Boyd (5-9, 170, jr.)  was one of the primary targets for the BA Cougars’ rushing and aerial attack. He rushed for 720 yards and caught 21 passes for 203 yards. He scored nine touchdowns.

Zac Arnold (5-8, 170, soph.)  had a great year for the Hornets. He posted 580 yards rushing on 85 carries.

Caleb Brown (5-11, 160, sr.)  played a key role in BA’s aerial attack as he caught 38 passes for 397 yards.

Jayden Rushing (5-10, 150, jr.)  helped the Bears ground and air assault with 546 yards rushing and 139 yards receiving.

Kobe Roberts (5-10, 175, jr.)  played a huge role in the Bobcats rebuilding season. He paced the team with 569 yards rushing on 84 carries.

James Thomas (6-1, 275, sr.)  is a veteran offensive lineman for the Bulldogs.

Ben McCarroll (5-8, 215, jr.)  played a big role as center for Brookhaven Academy.

Stephen Springfield (6-2, 235, jr.)  used his skills to help the Panthers on offense.

Jessie Hedgepeth (6-2, 265, sr.)  showcased his talents as a lineman for Lawrence County.

Jared Dillon (6-0, 255, sr.)  anchored the Ole Brook’s offensive line.

Josh Stephens (5-9, 140, jr.)  used his strong leg for Lawrence County. Stephens was successful on 28 of 34 extra-point attempts. His longest field goal was 25 yards.

Michael White (5-9, 190, sr.) used his blazing speed for Franklin County’s special team. He averaged 50 yards in 11 games on kickoff returns.

Parker Flowers (6-0, 175, soph.)  was instrumental in helping the Loyd Star Hornets. He completed 42 of 98 passes for 466 yards and rushed for 349 yards on 112 carries with scored 12 touchdowns.

Tucker Lambert (6-0, 145, fr.)  stepped up huge for the Bobcats. In the first half of the season, he completed 51 of 101 passes for 549 yards. After running from an injury, Lambert helped the ground attack with 392 yards on 88 carries.