West Point High School junior Marcus Murphy was named Class 5A Offensive Player of the Year, and Starkville High senior linebacker Willie Gay was named Class 6A Defensive Player of the Year on Tuesday by the Mississippi Association of Coaches.
Murphy and Gay are two of 22 local players recognized by the MAC on its Class 1A-6A All-State teams.
Murphy led West Point to a 29-8 victory against Laurel on Saturday in the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 5A State title game at Mississippi State’s Davis Wade Stadium. Murphy had 33 carries for 141 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Green Wave to their first championship since 2010, and the program’s eighth overall. Murphy earned game MVP honors for his efforts.
The performance helped Murphy finish the season with 243 carries for 1,756 yards and 22 touchdowns. He finished the season with 1,917 all-purpose yards.
Class 5A champion West Point (14-1) put five on the Class 5A team, which was the most of any local teams. Defensive linemen Everitt Cunningham and Terrence Cherry were named to the first team, while linebacker Keonta Hampton and defensive back Trey Brownlee were named to the second team.
Gay played a dual-threat role for the Yellow Jackets, who finished 7-4. The senior linebacker moved to quarterback late in the season and spearheaded Starkville’s drive to the playoffs that fell just short in a 35-28 loss to eventual state champion Clinton in the regular-season finale. Gay finished the season with a team-high 565 yards rushing and nine touchdowns. He also was second on the team with 60 solo tackles and 83 overall stops. He also had nine tackles for loss, one interception, and one sack.
Offensive linemen Connor Reinike and Jakoby Jones (first team) and Joey Claybrook (second team) joined Gay on the Class 6A All-State team.
Columbus High’s Kylin Hill (running back) and Tahj Sykes (defensive end) also were named first team All-State in Class 6A. Columbus’ LaQuinston Sharp (offensive lineman) was named to the second team.
New Hope High’s T.J. Stephens (tight end) and Thomas Stevens (punter) were named first-team All-State in Class 5A. Andre Erby (wide receiver) was named to the second team.
Caledonia High’s Jamel Thomas (wide receiver) was named first-team All-State in Class 4A. Noxubee County High’s Antonio Roby (offensive lineman) and Kalmorris Robinson (linebacker) were named first-team All-State in Class 4A. LaJordan Anderson (linebacker) was named to the second team.
East Webster High’s Shye Link (wide receiver) was named second-team All-State in Class 2A.
Louisville High’s Charles Moore (defensive end) was named first-team All-State in Class 4A.
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