2012 Daily Journal Prep Football Awards

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI/NEMS Daily Journal) —A busy high school football season made for a difficult selection process for the Daily Journal in deciding their players of the year and all-area teams.

(NEMS Daily Journal)
Itawamba AHS running back Ashton Shumpert was named the Daily Journal’s Offensive Player of the Year for 2012.

In the end, it was Itawamba AHS tailback Ashton Shumpert who brought home offensive player of the year honors, while Houston defensive end Chris Jones was named defensive player of the year.

New Albany head coach Ron Price earned coach of the year as he helped lead the Bulldogs to the Region 2-4A title this season.

Here’s the All-Area teams named by the Daily Journal:

First-Team
1. Ashton Shumpert
RB, IAHS, Sr.
Indians’ 4-star RB/DB rushed for 1,796 yards and 25 TDs despite missing the first three games.

2. Chris Jones
DE, Houston, Sr.
The Mississippi State commit led the Hilltoppers with 11.4 tackles per game and was MVP of Alabama-Mississippi Classic.

3. Boston Newsome
RB, New Albany, Sr.
Rushed for 2,038 yards and 24 TDs to power Bulldogs.

4. Gabe Myles
QB, Starkville, Sr.
Mississippi State commit threw for 1,153 yards, 12 TDs and rushed for 554 and 9 TDs for 5A champions.

5. Dario Robinson
WR, Amory, Sr.
Rushed for a team-high 1,021 yards and was second on team with 801 yards receiving.

6. Andrew Soper
QB, Saltillo, Sr.
Accounted for 2,559 yards and 25 TDs to lead Tigers to playoffs for first time in eight years.

7. Ross Smith
OL, Booneville, Sr.
Graded out at 90 percent. Had 60 knockdowns and allowed only 2 sacks.

8. Justin Lucas,
LB, Aberdeen, Sr.
Recorded a team-high 108 tackles and rushed for 9 TDs.

9. Parker Adamson
QB, Oxford, Sr.
Passed for a Class 5A best 2,395 yards and 18 TDs to lead Chargers.

10. Quinn Tiggs
DB, Tupelo, Jr
Recorded 45 tackles and 5 interceptions, 3 returned for TDs.

11. Cody James
QB, Ripley, Sr.
Passed for 2,246 yards, ran for 1,002 and accounted for 43 TDs.

Second-Team
1. Davis Brown
QB, Bruce, Sr.
Completed more than 60 percent of his passes for 2,933 yards and 23 TDs.

2. Jeramie Lawrence
RB, Falkner, So.
Rushed for 1,801 yards, including 433 against Biggersville.

3. Xavier Pegues
DL, Oxford, Sr.
Dominating lineman averaged 9 tackles per game and had 9.5 sacks.

4. Aeries Williams
RB, West Point, Jr.
Rushed for 1,627 yards to lead the 5A North runner-up Green Wave.

5. Chakel Gates
QB, Calhoun City, So.
Passed for 1,118 yards, ran for 1,207 and accounted for 29 TDs.

6. Charles Moore
RB, Itawamba AHS, Sr.
Rushed for 1,375 yards and 22 TDs to help Indians to 12-0 start.

7. Donta Walker
DB, Vardaman, Sr.
Tied for 1A best 7 picks and rushed for 1,135 yards and 14 TDs. Scored two receiving TDs.

8. Diamante Pounds
RB, Shannon, So.
Rushed for 1,544 yards and 12 TDs on 219 carries.

9. Brandon Mack
ATH, Lafayette, Sr.
Passed and rushed for a combined 1,896 yards and 24 TDs.

10. David Fair
LB, Starkville, Sr.
Had 67 tackles and 6 sacks, playing on a torn ACL.

11. Aaron McAlexander
DB, Marshall Academy, Sr.
Patriots’ ball hawk intercepted 11 passes this season, 31 in three seasons.