- The Daily Journal's staff and correspondents set out to determine which high school football players had the best seasons in the Daily Journal's coverage area. In addition to watching and covering games, the Journal's staff contacted area football coaches and other media types to seek their input on which players had standout seasons. The following is the list of area players the Journal deemed to have the most successful seasons in 2009.

Top honors

- Coach of the Year: Anthony Hart, Lafayette

- Offensive Player of the Year: Keon McGaughy, Shannon

- Defensive Player of the Year: Curtis Virges, West Point

First team

OFFENSE

UTILITY/ATHLETE Shaquille Perry, Walnut

- Vitals: 6-2, 212, junior

- The facts: Rushed for 1,197 yards and 14 TDs on 153 carries (108.8 ypg). ... Had 2 TD receptions out of his 12 catches. ... He finished with 21 TDs on the year, with several of those coming on fumble and kick/punt returns. ... He also punted for an average of 38.82 yards per punt, and handled the kickoff duties. ... Being recruited by Mississippi State and Southern Miss, in addition to receiving letters from other places.

- Coach says: "He's a complete player. We cannot afford to take him off the field as far as any part of the game. He's one of the most versatile players I've had here." - Timmy Moore

QB Aaron Andrews, Aberdeen

- Vitals: 6-1, 200, senior

- The facts: In his first year under varsity center, Andrew completed 124 passes on 228 attempts for 2,839 yards and 30 TD. ... He also rushed for another 362 yards and 5 TD. ... He missed almost two complete games with a nagging ankle injury while accounting for more than 3,000 yards.

- Coach says: "He did a great job at quarterback for us all year. He can throw well and run well." - Chris Duncan

RB Jamerson Love, Aberdeen

- Vitals: 5-11, 175, senior

- The facts: Love rushed for 1,778 and 21 TD on the ground. He also caught 19 passes for 434 yards and another 6 TDs, and returned two kickoffs to the end zone, accounting for 29 scores. ... Love, nicknamed 'Jig,' committed to Mississippi State and also had offers from Southern Miss and Arkansas State.

- Coach says: "He can make anybody better. He's done that for us for three years. He had a great year for us at running back and corner." - Chris Duncan

RB Keon McGaughy, Shannon

- Vitals: 6-1, 210, senior

- The facts: Rushed for 2,362 yards on 288 carries and 28 TDs. ... Had 4 TD receptions. ... He scored a TD in every game this season. Scored 4 TDs in a game three times this season and tallied 3 TDs in a contest three times this season. The only games he found the end zone just once was vs. Pontotoc, Itawamba AHS and Lafayette County. ... MAC first-team all-state selection.

- Coach says: "He became a true leader for us in his senior season. You always knew he was going to give you the best he's got." - Chad Cook

WR Michael Carr, West Point

- Vitals: 6-1, 195, senior

- The facts: Had 42 receptions for 961 yards and 8 TDs. ... Rushed for 4 TDs, returned 3 kickoffs for TDs and 1 punt for a score. ...Primarily a WR, also spent time at QB and RB this season. ... Named MVP of the MHSAA Class 5A state championship game. ... A MAC first-team all-state selection, he also played in the Bernard Blackwell All-Star Classic. ... Committed to Mississippi State.

- Coach says: "He's definitely the best pure athlete we've had since I've been here and probably one of the best that's ever come out of West Point." - Chris Chambless

WR Diante Curlee, Corinth

- Vitals: 5-8, 155, senior

- The facts: Had 69 catches for 907 yards and 11 TDs. ... Rushed for 231 yards. ... Had 1,760 all-purpose yards with 17 total TDs. ... On defense picked off 3 passes and returned all 3 for scores, including a 104-yard INT return. ... Also returned a missed field goal for a TD. ... Runs a legitimate 4.4 40-yard dash, maybe even quicker, says his head coach, Jimmy Mitchell. ... Also plays baseball and runs track. ... Recruited by Northeast Mississippi Community college.

- Coach says: "He catches a short flare pass and turns it into a touchdown with his ability to make people miss." - Jimmy Mitchell

TE Dillon Mitchell, Itawamba AHS

- Vitals: 6-4, 200, senior

- The facts: The son of the head coach, he had 43 catches for 752 yards and 9 TDs. ... Also played some on defense. ... Has offers from University of Tennessee at Martin and Jacksonville State (Ala.). Samford and Appalachian State have shown interest. He's been protected in both baseball and football by Itawamba Community College.

- Coach says: "He's been a leader for us for four years. He certainly gives us that extra dimension out on the field. Of course, since he lives with the coach, he's become extremely knowledgeable about the game." - Jamie Mitchell

OT Jon O. Fisher, Oxford

- Vitals: 6-4, 295, senior

- The facts: The 3-year starter at tackle averaged in the high 80s, low 90s on his game-by-game blocking performance. ... Was named first-team 5A all-state by the Mississippi Association of Coaches. ... Has committed to Louisiana-Monroe, but remains open on his college options.

- Coach says: "He's a smart, intense player with a great offensive lineman's disposition." - Johnny Hill

OG Desmond Boyd, West Point

- Vitals: 6-1, 255, senior

- The facts: Can play both the guard and tackle positions. ...Was named First Team All-State in 5A. ... Played in Bernard Blackwell North-South All-Star Classic. ...Graded out in the high 80s all season. ... Recruited by East Mississippi, Hinds, and Holmes community colleges.

- Coach says: "He is our most physical offensive lineman. When we got into situations where we needed a yard or two, we ran behind him ." - Chris Chambless

C Jonathan Whirley, Tishomingo County

- Vitals: 6-3, 275, senior

- The facts: Average grade for all 10 games was 87. ... Had 34 pancake blocks and 16 knockdowns. ... Didn't allow a sack to whoever lined up against him. ... Would like to play both football and baseball in college. ... Delta State and Jacksonville State (Ala.) have shown interest in him. Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Southern Miss came to Iuka in the spring to watch Whirley, but haven't been in contact with him since. Northeast Mississippi Community College could be a likely destination.

- Coach says: "He's got good size and good feet. He played some defensive tackle for us, but he's more of an offensive player. I think he can play at the Division I level even though he's a little small for Division I." - Steve Carter

OG Brennan Tutor, Pontotoc

- Vitals: 6-4, 290, senior

- The facts: A 3-year starter at guard and tackle who graded out consistently high. ... Scouts like his quick feet. ... He's protected by ICC, but has gotten looks from Memphis, Southern Miss and Samford.

- Coach says: "The guy can play. He's the one we ran behind." - Charlie Dampeer

OT Chanston Jeter, Ripley

- Vitals: 6-4, 300, senior

- The facts: Graded out in high 60s, which is a high percentile for the Tigers coaches' assessments. ... Had 10 pancake blocks this season, and close to 20 total in the last two seasons. ... Ripley head coach Mac McCurry said, "He's a good technician who has good feet." ... Also played defensive end. ... Recruited by Northeast Mississippi Community College. Had been in contact with Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Southern Miss prior to the season. RHS offensive line coach Quess Hood said Jeter has the size, meanness and brain to play at a high level in college.

- Coach says: "He's probably one of the most aggressive offensive lineman I've ever had. He's got a little vinegar in him that makes him better than anybody. He is also so smart." - Quess Hood

K Jordan Parker, Corinth

- Vitals: 6-0, 160, junior

- The facts: Was 6 of 14 on field-goal attempts (3 of the misses were from 40-plus yards). ... Coaches confident in him to kick winning field goals from inside 45 yards in the closing seconds. ... Handled kickoff duties. ... 2009 MAC first-team all-state selection. ... Punted 40 times for a 35.3-yard average. ... Was able to pin the ball inside the 20-yard line 12 times. ... Attends kicking camps. ... Also plays baseball and soccer.

- Coach says: "He kicked a field goal one time this year in mush that was hard to stand up in. He's strong in his legs and he's still got plenty of room to get stronger." - Jimmy Mitchell

DEFENSE

DE Nathan Kendrick, Amory

- Vitals: 6-0, 240, senior

- The facts: Made 28 solo tackles and assisted on 54 stops for a total of 82. ... Had 9 tackles for a loss, 2 QB sacks, 2 caused fumbles and 2 recovered fumbles. ... Also played offensive guard, and "didn't leave the field very much," says his head coach. ... First-team MAC Class 4A all-state defensive selection. ... Mainly Division II and Division III schools, such as Belhaven and Millsaps, are recruiting Kendrick, who is also a "very good student," according to his coach.

- Coach says: "He's extremely explosive off the football. His first three steps are as quick as anybody's." - Pat Byrd

DT Kelsey Traylor, Pontotoc

- Vitals: 5-8, 245, senior

- The facts: Used his great explosion off the ball to record 75 tackles, 5 sacks and 15 tackles for losses and 1 interception from his noseguard spot. ... Named Division 1-4A's defensive MVP. ... The lone drawback for recruiters is his size; however, he is expected to walk on at ICC.

- Coach says: "He got everything out of his body that he could. His motor never stops running." - Charlie Dampeer

DT Curtis Virges, West Point

- Vitals: 6-3, 290, senior

- The facts: First-team MAC Class 5A All-State defensive selection. ... Recorded 55 solo tackles and 25 assists for a total of 80 takedowns and led the Green Wave with 14 sacks. ... Already qualified academically, owns a 3.5 GPA. ... Committed to Mississippi State.

- Coach says: "He's as good a student as he is a football player. He's one of the smartest kids on our team and he's by far the strongest. That's a good combination." - Chris Chambless

DE Channing Ward, Aberdeen

- Vitals: 6-31/2, 235, sophomore

- The facts: A sophomore, Ward is already drawing the attention of college coaches. ... He had more than 150 tackles in 2009, including 16 sacks and an interception returned for a touchdown.

- Coach says: "Channing's a freak. He's one that comes through every 30 years." - Chris Duncan

LB Chris Donald, Tupelo

- Vitals: 5-9, 210, senior

- The facts: His work ethic, especially in the weightroom during the offseason, led to his banner season. ... Recorded a team-high 92 tackles, 46 solo, 4 sacks, 3 tackles for losses, 8 QB hurries. He also forced a fumble, recovered a fumble and broke up a pass. ... Expected to continue his career at community college or small college levels.

- Coach says: "For him, it's his speed and his ability to run to the ball." - Lamar Aldridge

LB Quad Freeman, Saltillo

- Vitals: 6-2, 205, junior

- The facts: Recorded 128 total tackles (11.6 per game), 3 sacks, 8 pass deflections, 4 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries and 1 safety. ... Has the ability to deflect passes at the line of scrimmage. The majority of his pass deflections came on quick slants or quick out passes. ... Runs a 4.6.-4.7 40-yard dash. ... Still growing physically, says May. ... Ole Miss and Mississippi State have been in contact with him.

- Coach says: "He's just as effective and good in traffic as out there in space. He has really strong arms and hands. His wing span is phenomenal. He looks like a basketball shot blocker playing football." - Greg May

LB Devin Lindsey, Baldwyn

- Vitals: 6-2, 200, senior

- The facts: Recorded 167 total tackles (101 solo), 30 TFL, 8 sacks, 5 forced fumbles and 3 INTs (2 of those returned for TDs). ... Selected Division 1-2A's 2009 defensive player of the year by the division's coaches and was selected 2009 MAC first-team all-state. ... Delta State, Elon (N.C.) and Arkansas State have shown interest.

- Coach says: "He was probably our bell cow because everybody rallied around him to make plays. He controlled everything on that side of the ball (defensive) and made sure everybody was lined up and where they needed to be." - Michael Gray

LB Jerome Owens, Shannon

- Vitals: 6-0, 195, senior

- The facts: Had 133 tackles, 21 TFL, 5 sacks, 1 caused fumble, 4 pass deflections and 4 hurries. ... 2009 MAC First-Team All-State selection. ... First-team All-Division 1-4A selection.

- Coach says: "Once he gets his hands on you, the play is over. He's a guy who has the ability to play bigger than he really is ." - Chad Cook

DB Austin Shumpert, Itawamba AHS

- Vitals: 6-1, 175, sophomore

- The facts: Had 9 INTs and 8 pass breakups, and 22 solo tackles while assisting on 42 more. ... First-team All-Division 1-4A selection.

- Coach says: "He developed into our best DB. We play a lot of man coverage and we put him on our opponent's best wideout. He was matched up against some really good players." - Jamie Mitchell

DB Gary Hughes, West Point

- Vitals: 5-10, 180, senior

- The facts: Recorded a team-high 10 interceptions, including two in the Class 5A North State Championship Game against New Hope and another in the state title game against Wayne County. ... Returned two interceptions, a punt, and a kickoff for touchdowns. ... Also an all-division basketball player.

- Coach says: "He's one of the best playmakers we've got. Whenever we needed a big stop, he was always around the football." - Chris Chambless

DB Skyye Jones, Tupelo

- Vitals: 5-9, 170, senior

- The facts: A force in the Golden Wave secondary, he gave up only 4 completions all seasons. ... He finished with 3 INTs, 7 pass breakups, 1 sack and recorded 16 tackles from his cornerback position. ... He also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns, including one for 98 yards against Olive Branch. ... He was named team MVP by his teammates.

- Coach says: "His quickness and his ability to turn his hips were keys for him." - Lamar Aldridge

DB Dominique Price, Lafayette

- Vitals: 6-2, 205, senior

- The facts: As a strong safety, recorded 74 tackles, 4 INTs, 2 forced fumbles. He had a defensive TD and a safety and blocked two punts. ... Three-year starter. ... Recruited by Delta State and Alabama Aamp&M.

- Coach says: "Very rangy kid with good football instincts." - Anthony Hart

P Clay Russell, Lafayette

- Vitals: 6-2, 190, senior

- The facts: Averaged 37.4 yards per punt on 40 tries. ... His longest punt was of 55 yards and was able to pin the ball inside the 20-yard line 13 times. ... 2009 MAC Class 4A all-state selection. ... Recruited by some junior colleges after not playing most of his junior season due to a quadriceps injury.

- Coach says: "He has a big-time leg, I think. He's going to continue to get better punting the football." - Anthony Hart

SECOND TEAM

OFFENSE

- Utl/ATH Kareem Brown, New Albany, 5-8, 165, junior

- QB Maikhail Miller, Itawamba AHS, 6-2, 225, junior

- RB Deshawn McGaughy, Itawamba AHS, 5-9, 205, senior

- RB Lakenderic Thomas, West Point, 5-10, 190, junior

- WR Erik Buchanan, Aberdeen, 6-1, 180, senior

- WR Deante Smith, Oxford, 5-11, 170, senior

- TE Michael Bush, West Point, 6-1, 250, senior

- OT Josh Jennings, Shannon, 6-1, 220, senior

- OG DaQuez Sommerville, Lafayette, 6-0, 250, junior

- C Scott Hollowell, Lafayette, 5-11, 270, senior

- OG Marshall Williams, South Pontotoc, 6-2, 305, senior

- OT C.J. Ramirez, Itawamba AHS, 6-3, 285, junior

- K Tyler Jackson, Lafayette, 5-10, 175, sophomore

DEFENSE

- DE Demitri McIntosh, Lafayette, 5-10, 194, junior

- DT Nick Stegall, Itawamba AHS, 6-2, 225, junior

- DT Jermaine Pegues, Lafayette, 6-0, 300, senior

- DE Fred Ward, Aberdeen, 6-2, 250, senior

- LB Trae Bobo, Itawamba AHS, 5-9, 225, senior

- LB Jamel Dennis, Lafayette, 6-0, 195, sophomore

- LB Matthew Lewis, West Point, 5-9, 190, senior

- LB Decedrick Quinn, Aberdeen, 5-11, 200, senior

- DB Ro Hogan, Tupelo, 5-10, 175, senior

- DB Ontario Phillips, Lafayette, 5-11, 165, junior

- DB Tevin Spurgeon, Shannon, 5-11, 185, senior

- DB Aaron Thompson, Calhoun City, 5-10, 175, junior

- P Jon Harrison, Belmont, 6-3, 170, junior

THIRD TEAM

OFFENSE

- UTL/ATH Deonta Herman, Corinth, 5-10, 170, junior

- QB Jeremy Liggins, Lafayette, 6-3, 227, sophomore

- RB Bo Brown, Booneville, 6-1, 217, senior

- RB Gage Smith, Belmont, 6-1, 165, senior

- WR Chuck Tillery, Starkville, 6-0, 185, senior

- WR Tre Welch, Booneville, 5-11, 155, junior

- TE Luke Foley, New Albany, 6-1, 220, junior

- OT Eric Baumann, Tupelo, 6-1, 215, junior

- OG Derryan Ryce, Shannon, 5-11, 245, senior

- C Collin Stubblefield, New Albany, 6-0, 265, junior

- OG T.J. Clanton, Calhoun City, 6-0, 320, senior

- OT Zach Stephenson, Smithville, 6-6, 270, senior

- K Sonny Harrison, New Albany, 5-10, 160, senior

DEFENSE

- DE P.J. Jones, Tupelo, 6-4, 235, junior

- DT Jeremy Penson, Vardaman, 6-3, 300, senior

- DT Antwan Ivy, Okolona, 6-0, 240, sophomore

- DE Jordan Cobb, Baldwyn, 6-0, 180, senior

- LB Donovan Rogers, Shannon, 6-2, 225, senior

- LB Martavious Ford, Okolona, 6-0, 240, junior

- LB Myles Snyder, North Pontotoc, 6-0, 180, senior

- LB Trevor Toomer, Corinth, 6-1, 210, junior

- DB Shemiah Carter, North Pontotoc, 6-0, 180, sophomore

- DB Datrune Freeman, Smithville, 5-8, 170, junior

- DB Mario Lucas, Aberdeen, 6-0, 175, senior

- DB Andrew Long, Shannon, 6-0, 185, senior

- P Sam Lockhart, Falkner, 5-10, 170, junior