DAILY LEADER / MARTY ALBRIGHT / Loyd Star’s Peyton Flowers (42) is The DAILY LEADER’s All-Area Defensive MVP. Accepting this honor on his behalf is his little bother Parker Flowers (left), his dad David Flowers (center) and Loyd Star’s head coach Adam Cook.

Loyd Star senior defensive linemen Peyton Flowers gave a whole new meaning to the phrase “Leaving it all on the field.”

Flowers loved his family, friends and the outdoors, but his true passion was sports. Peyton played football, soccer and baseball for the Loyd Star Hornets. He would give a 110 percent in everything he did no matter if it was at practice or game day activities.

Peyton tragically lost his life in November due to a head injury he suffered in the last game of the season after giving all that he had to help his team get to the playoffs.

The month of October will always be recognized as a dark month for Lincoln County residents as Peyton Flowers, Shaquan Richardson and Jevonte Dickey, both of Brookhaven High, were suddenly taken from us tragically, but their legacy will forever live on in our hearts and minds.

The loss of these three young men has brought the communities together in more ways than one. Everyone in and around the community stepped up and helped these young men’s families in their time of sorrow, which was a true blessing.

Peyton was Loyd Star’s leader and captain on and off the field. In Flowers’ senior year, he had 149 total tackles on the season, with five sacks, two fumble recoveries, two blocked kicks and returned a fumble for a touchdown.

Peyton’s performance has earned him The DAILY LEADER’s Most Valuable Defensive Player of the Year honors on the 2014 All-Area Defensive Team.

This defensive 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, second team selection and honorable mention.

Joining Flowers in the trench as linemen on the first team selection are Leo Lewis and Amari Davis of Brookhaven, Garrett Pace of Brookhaven Academy and Timmy Steward of Hazlehurst.

Helping out as linebackers are T-Tez Cole and Willie Earl Bryant of Lawrence County, Chris O-Quinn of Franklin County and Kendrick Brown of Wesson.

The secondary features Greg Watts of Brookhaven, DeAnthony King of Franklin County, Lofton Sills of West Lincoln and Bo Smithers of Bogue Chitto.

The dream team’s punter is Cyrus Goodwin of Hazlehurst.

The players receiving second team honors on the defensive line were Brandon Armstrong of Lawrence County, Jamarcus Patterson of Wesson, Darius O’Quinn of Brookhaven, Michael Fiorella of Brookhaven Academy and Patrick Harris of Hazlehurst.

In the linebacker position were Brett Calcote of Loyd Star, Trent Nettles of Brookhaven Academy, Ben Robinson of Brookhaven High and Matthew Black of Bogue Chitto.

In the secondary are Danzel Allen and Michael White of Franklin County, Rykendrick Harness of Lawrence County and Julian Anderson of West Lincoln.

The second team punter is Cameron Price of Bogue Chitto.

“Peyton Flowers (5-11, 185, sr.)  was a caring and friendly individual that never met a stranger. He would go out of his way to help anyone who needed it,” said his father David Flowers. “Peyton loved life to the fullest and gave 199 percent on everything he did.”

David Flowers commented on how Loyd Star coach Adam Cook and the rest of the football team help during this time sorrow.

“They really helped lift us up,” he said. “Coach Cook has been a Godsend to Loyd Star and the Flowers family. He is a good example of a Christian man that we all need to follow.”

David gave his praises to the communities around and outside of Lincoln County.

“Everyone has been very gracious and supportive during these hard times,” he said. “Peyton was a product of the community he lived in. All the communities have showed their support and love. With that I hope can get through this horrible tragedy.”

Coach Adam Cook shared his thoughts on Peyton.

“I don’t have the words to describe this young man as a player,” he said. “All I know is that he was the most exceptional young man that I’ve ever had the privileged to coach.

“Peyton was the hardest working and most physical player I have ever coached,” continued Cook. “His teammates respected the fact that he would not pass up chance to compete when there was a tough tack ahead of him. He also encouraged his teammates to work hard in everything they do.”

Cook also expressed great amazement in the community support during the tragedy.

“The overwhelming support and love shown to this school and the Flowers family has been a miracle to witness,” he said “The people of Loyd Star have shown me how much they love these kids, not only during the difficult times, but everyday through the support of our school and the activities the kids are involved in.”

David Flowers and coach Adam Cook stated that KDMC has made a contribution in honor of Peyton Flowers to the school in the form of a scholarship or an award to an outstanding student. The Loyd Star pee-wee football trophy will be named the Peyton Flowers trophy.

DAILY LEADER’s FIRST TEAM Defensive 

Leo Lewis (6-2, 230, sr.)  was a big part of the Panthers’ defense. He had 76 total tackles, which 58 were solo tackles, and recovered one fumble.

Amari Davis (6-0, 217, jr.) was a key player for the Ole Brook’s defense with 40 tackles, including 26 solos.

Garrett Pace (6-4, 240, sr.)  was Brookhaven Academy MVP on the season. He was credited with 97 tackles, two forced fumbles, one interception, six sacks, eight quarterback hurries and 11 tackles for losses.

Timmy Steward (5-5, 165, fr.)  was instrumental on defense for Hazlehurst with 110 stops and 85 solos.

T-Tez Cole (5-11, 215, jr.)  was a key player for Lawrence County’s defense with 61 solo tackles, seven sacks, two fumble recoveries, with one for TD, and one interception.

Chris O’Quinn (5-11, 185, sr.)  made 123 tackles, with 16 solos, for Franklin County.

Kendrick Brown (5-10, 185, jr.)  was an impact player for Wesson with 40 tackles on the season.

Willie Earl Bryant (6-0, 200, jr.)  made 81 tackles, with 71 solo tackles, two fumble recoveries and a blocked field goal for the Cougars on Monticello.

Greg Watts (5-9, 185, jr.)  had 55 tackles on the season, featuring 41 solo stops and one interception.

Deanthony King (6-2, 202, sr.)  had 109 tackles and one pass thefts for the Bulldogs.

Lofton Sills (6-5, 185, jr.)  made 78 tackles, including 46 solos for the West Lincoln Bears.

Bo Smithers (5-8, 200, sr.)  was a key player for the Bobcat defense with 74 tackles, two sacks and two fumble recoveries.

Cyrus Goodwin (5-8, 195, sr.)  was a key factor for Hazlehurst. He helped pin opposing offenses deep in their territory with an average of 34 yards per punt.

DAILY LEADER’s SECOND TEAM Defensive 

Brandon Armstrong (5-11, 255, jr.)  45 solo tackles four sacks and two fumble recoveries one returned for TD for Lawrence County.

Jamarcus Patterson (6-0, 215, jr.) was one the main catalyst on defense for Wesson with 40 tackles and two sacks on the season.

Darius O’Quinn (6-1, 220, sr.)  collected 39 tackles, which includes 26 solo tackles for the Panthers.

Michael Fiorella (5-10, 180, sr.)  was recognized as one of BA’s tackling machines with 53 tackles on the season.

Patrick Harris (5-9, 180, soph.)  accounted for 93 tackles, 75 solo tackles and two sacks at Hazlehurst.

Brett Calcote (6-1, 210, sr.)  made 84 tackles, one fumble recovery and four sacks for the Loyd Star Hornets

Trent Nettles (5-10, 185, sr.)  accounted for 46 tackles, including five tackles for a loss and six pass deflections for Brookhaven Academy.

Ben Robinson (5-8, 160, sr.) collected 46 tackles, 32 tackles were solos for BHS.

Matthew Black (5-11, 190, sr.) paced the Bobcats with 67 tackles and three sacks.

Danzel Allen (6-0, 176, sr.)  had 70 tackles, four interceptions and fumble recovery for the Franklin County Bulldogs.

Rykendrick Harness (5-6, 150, jr.) had 67 tackles featuring 52 solo tackles and one fumble recovery for Lawrence County.

Michael White (5-9, 175, sr.)  made 73 tackles on the season, with seven interceptions and one fumble recovery for the Bulldogs.

Julian Anderson (5-10, 170, fr.)  had very productive season for the Bears with 75 tackles, including 42 solos.

Cameron Price (5-9, 165, sr.) displayed a strong leg for the Bogue Chitto Bobcats. He averaged 35 yards per punt.