Local prep players honored Start of football season gets underway for Hornets Friday By CURTIS ROCKWELL Special to The Democrat JACKSON – It’s game week for most prep football teams in the state of Mississippi. And with the arrival of yet another season, a few local players have already picked up some honors. Picayune running back Preston Dedeaux and Pearl River Central place-kicker Jovan Detto were named first team pre-season all-state over the weekend by Mississippi Gridiron Magazine. Blue Devil offensive lineman Harry Godwin earned second team all-state honors. One thing that makes these awards more meaningful than most is that the teams were selected regardless of classification. The publication picked a first, second and third team all-state squads that included all six classifications in the state of Mississippi. A press release by Mississippi Gridiron Magazine said “This is our fourth annual All-Gridiron team, a pre-season collection of Mississippi’s best players at each position. We choose three teams with all players eligible for selection regardless of classification. These teams are not strictly related to recruiting and college potential, but also to high school ability.” Detto and Godwin, along with four-year starting quarterback Dylan Spiers will lead the Blue Devils into action Friday night in the Shrimp Bowl Classic against Gulfport to kick off the season. The Admirals warmed up for the season-opener by beating McComb 19-0 in a scrimmage Friday night. First year Gulfport quarterback Thad Miller, a transfer from Long Beach, hooked up with Jonathan Nance on a 60-yard TD pass and connected with Richaud Floyd on a 45-yard scoring pass as Gulfport rolled. D’Marcus Rankin added a 4-yard touchdown run. “It was a good first scrimmage,’’ Gulfport head coach Eddie Pierce said. “I saw some good things out there. We still have some work to do. But the kids got after it and gave a good effort.’’ Also on Friday night, Poplarville, behind a trio of running backs that each rushed for over 1,000 yards last season, opens the new campaign on the road at Raleigh. Malik Lucas, Rojae Raine and Jiquan James all eclipsed the magical plateau last season as the Hornets made the state playoffs for the first time in five years. Dedeaux and Picayune don’t play this first week, and will open the season on the road at Petal one week from Friday, the same night Poplarville hosts PRC. Dedeaux ran for over 1,400 yards in limited playing time last season.
Posted on: Wed, 21 Aug 2013 21:47:34 +0000
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