Holland, Brown claim AOW honors
the Week by PineyWoodsSports.com after gaining 231 yards
and scoring three TDs against No.8 Henderson last week. (Photo
by Mark Krueger)
As fall athletes lead their teams nearer to the postseason, efforts become more and more extraordinary. The 'cream' seems to rise to the top as all-out efforts are given to lead teams to the 'next level' and to continue the season as teams don't want them to end.
Two Piney Woods area athletes led a slew of dominating efforts for sporting events which took place between Oct. 17-23 as Shelbyville's Jesten Brown and Carthage's Hunter Holland attempted to 'carry' their respective teams to the playoffs. For their efforts, these athletes have been named the PineyWoodsSports.com Co-Athletes of the Week.
Several other athletes turned in 'Superlative' efforts. Those athletes who stood out included Shelbyville quarterback Brad Estes, Garrison running back Josh Williams, Timpson running back LaDerius Bryan, Garrison running back Desmond McKibbens, Carthage quarterback Anthony Morgan, Tenaha quarterback Reginald Davis, Timpson signal caller Lorenzo Young, Tenaha running back Assuntay Cleaver, Garrison cross country runner Megan Davidson, Tenaha defender Jose Campos and Center tennis player Ross Reynolds.
County athletes named to the Honor Roll included Shelbyville runner Emma Walker, Mount Enterprise running back Reggie Carter, Carthage receiver Jalen Claiborne and Carthage volleyball player Hannah Hildebrand.
Shelby County Co-Athlete of the Week
Jesten Brown - Football - Shelbyville HS
The Shelbyville Dragons qualified for a playoff spot last week and have now set their sights on the District 10-1A D-I championship. A win this week will clinch at least a share of that title.
Brown, the Dragon's top back, led by example on both sides of the ball last week in Shelbyville's 47-36 win over Alto as the Dragons improved to 7-1 on the season and stayed unbeaten in league play at 3-0. Brown rushed for 217 yards on 25 carries, penetrating the endzone five times, while averaging 8.7-yards per carry. He was also a big part of the passing game, catching three passes for 24 yards.
Not only did Brown dominate play on the offensive side of the ball, but he played well defensively also as he tallied three tackles to receive the Co-Athlete of the Week honor. He has gained 1,100 yards on 143 carries this season, scoring 10 touchdowns on the ground.
Hunter Holland - Football - Carthage High School
The Carthage Bulldogs put themselves within one win of clinching the District 16-3A Co-Championship with a monumental 43-33 victory over the No.8-ranked Lions. One of the main cogs in the Dawgs attack was running back Hunter Holland, who once again went over the 200-yard mark on the season.
Holland ran for 231 yards and scored three touchdowns on 23 carries to lead the Carthage ground attack, which picked up 267 rushing yards and 494 total yards during the contest.
Shelby County 'Superlative' Efforts
Brad Estes - Football - Shelbyville High School
After being named Co-Athlete of the Week just last week, Brad Estes put on another outstanding performance in the Dragons' victory over Alto to garner him 'Superlative' honors.
Estes completed 16-of-26 (61.5%) of his passes against the Yellowjackets, throwing for 189 yards and a touchdown. He also led the way defensively for the Dragons, finishing with 10 tackles.
On the season Estes has completed 58.5% of his throws for 1,419 yards, 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
LaDerius Bryan - Football - Timpson High School
The Timpson Bears have challenged the teams on their schedule, working to put themselves in a position to qualify for the playoffs. Heading into the next-to-the-last week in the regular season they are there, after blitzing Cushing 54-26 last Friday.
With the win, the Bears move into a three-way tie with Alto - this week's opponent - and Grapeland for third place with two weeks to go in the regular season. The Bears still have their postseason destiny in their own hands.
Against Cushing, LaDerius Bryan did what was necessary to lead his team to victory, rushing for 217 yards on 23 carries and scoring four touchdowns as THS improved to 3-5 on the year, 1-2 in District 10-1A D-I play.
Josh Williams - Football - Garrison High School
The Garrison Bulldogs have lived and died by their running attack this season and up until this point in the season they have lived well. Josh Williams ran for 172 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns in the 29-22 Bulldog win over Grapeland last week and he scored two touchdowns in the process. He also tallied three tackles on defense.
Desmond McKibbens - Football - Garrison High School
Another aspect of the Garrison ground game is Desmond McKibbens. McKibbens was part of the 1-2 punch for the Bulldogs in the win over Grapeland last week. he pounded out 148 yards on 16 carries, averaging 9.3-yards per carry as the 10th-ranked 'Dogs stayed unbeaten.
Anthony Morgan - Football Carthage High School
Carthage quarterback Anthony Morgan has helped the balanced Bulldog offense real off four straight wins after slipping to 2-2 earlier in the season. Against Henderson last week Morgan hit 14-of-23 passes (60.9%) for 202 yards and a score in the impressive 43-33 win over 8th-ranked Henderson.
Reginald Davis - Football - Tenaha High School
Tenaha quarterback Reginald Davis has led the Tigers to the playoffs and at least a share of the District 12-1A D-II playoffs after the Tigers blew past Beckville, 50-8, in the THS Homecoming Saturday night.
Davis was instrumental in the win, rushing for 135 yards and four touchdowns on 11 carries. He also completed 3-of-5 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown. Davis also made three tackles on defense.
Lorenzo Young - Football - Timpson High School
Timpson quarterback Lorenzo Young helped the Bears keep in the postseason chase. He ran for 101 yards and scored three times in the dominating win over Cushing. He did all of that in just eight carries.
Young also connected on his only pass of the night for 22 yards.
Assuntay Cleaver - Football - Tenaha High School
Tenaha's Assuntay Cleaver ran for 148 yards on just eight carries as Tenaha clinched a share of the District 12-1A D-II championship. Cleaver also scored a touchdown in the 50-8 win over Beckville.
Jose Campos - Football - Tenaha High School
Tenaha has led by its defense all season long and the victory over Beckville was no different. The Tigers allowed just one touchdown as Jose Campos paced the Tiger defense with 15 tackles on the night. For the season he has totaled 52 tackles, averaging 6.5 per contest.
Megan Davidson - Cross Country - Garrison High School
Garrison's Megan Davidson has led the pack, so to speak, when it comes to the Lady Bulldog cross country team. she placed fourth place in the team's competition last week and continues to be a solid performer.
Ross Reynolds - Tennis - Center High School
The Center tennis team faced a stiff next last week when they took on Lufkin and Ross Reynolds helped the Roughrider effort, posting a No.6 singles' win, 8-2, while being part of the No.3 doubles' team that won 8-5.
Shelby County 'Honor Roll' Efforts
Emma Walker - Cross Country - Shelbyville High School
Shelbyville cross country runner Emma Walker has continued to work hard this season and improve her time as the year goes on. She gave an 'honor roll' effort last week, placing first in the Junior Varsity Girls' Division of the Crockett Meet, posting a time of 14:08.
Reggie Carter - Football - Mount Enterprise
The Mount Enterprise Wildcats clinched a playoff spot last week with a 50-8 win over Union Hill and Reggie Carter was one of the reasons why. He ran for 105 yards on just 10 carries (10.5-yard average), while scoring a touchdowns in limited action in the Wildcats' league win.
Jalen Claiborne - Football - Carthage High School
Carthage receiver Jalen Claiborne is a threat to take the ball to the endzone any time he touches it and his numbers reflect that. He pulled in eight passes for 111 yards and a touchdown in the Dawgs' win over the Lions.
Hannah Hildebrand - Volleyball - Carthage High School
The Carthage volleyball team continued to steam roll toward the Class 3A playoffs as the Lady Bulldogs gained some much needed momentum with two wins last week. Hildebrand recorded 16 assists, five service aces, a kill and a dig in one of the team's two victories.