Six area prep players honored

By By Ryan Satcher / staff writer
Dec. 24, 2003
Six area football players were announced to the Clarion Ledger All-State Team this week.
Wayne County, coming off its 4A State Championship win, had four players named to the team including three players named to the first team.
The War Eagles defense placed three players on the first team. Seniors Cedrick Jones and Steve Gandy along with junior Jerell Powe were named to the first team after their performances this season.
Powe and Jones led Wayne County's defensive line this season. Jones, a 6-foot-6 220-pound defensive end, picked up 81 tackles this year for the War Eagles. He also charted 19 sacks and a fumble recovery.
Powe picked up 68 tackles from his position at nose guard and also put pressure on the quarterback with 10 sacks. The 6-foot-3 320-pound junior also had three fumble recoveries.
Gandy, one of the leaders on the Wayne County defense, was also named first team for his play at linebacker this year.
The 6-foot-1 190-pound senior had 131 tackles and 13 sacks for the year. He also picked off a pass for the Ware Eagles.
Also named to All-State Second Team was Wayne County senior Michael McLaughlin. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound senior played running back for Wayne County this year.
Brandon Tate was also named to the All-State team. The senior from Noxubee County was named to First Team after having 46 receptions for 825 yards this year. He scored 10 touchdowns for Noxubee County this season.
He also had 32 tackles and 2 interceptions from the defensive back position.
Tipston Garner rounded out the list of area players making the team. The 5-foot-9, 170-pound senior from Stringer was named to the second team defense for his play at defensive back.