Nine Northeast Tigers picked for annual All-Star Game

Several Northeast Mississippi Community College football players are set to represent their team and institution on the field of competition for one last occasion.

Nine Tigers were chosen to participate in the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) All-Star Game. It is the most individual selections for Northeast since the 2012 edition of the annual event.

“It means a lot to these young men because they’ve worked so diligently to get to this point,” said Tigers head coach Greg Davis. “It’s unbelievable to see their excitement in wanting to play in this game. It’ll be fun to watch.”

The group is guided by a veteran lineman in Dayon Davis that has developed some of the best blocking skills in the league. He garnered MACJC All-State honors for his effort in the trenches this season.Davis earned the starting nod in all nine games for Northeast at left guard. He gave up only four sacks this year and did not allow his assignment to bring down the quarterback at all during seven contests.he Byhalia native anchored a unit of five men that gave the Tigers’ signal callers the necessary time to setup plays and lead the offense to an average of 304.1 yards each matchup.

Orlandous Davis successfully converted from a running back to a linebacker during his pair of campaigns at Northeast. He had 45 total tackles for the Tigers in that stretch.Baldwyn’s Davis was among the top 10 tacklers for Northeast in his final year on the squad. He accumulated 29 stops overall that were broken down to 10 solos and 19 assisted takedowns.He made a career-high eight tackles and one sack in an overtime victory over Northwest Mississippi Community College one year ago. Davis had a season-best five stops during a win against Pearl River Community College as a sophomore.

Jaylon Fair was part of a dangerous and highly talented faction of receivers. He placed second among all wideouts for the Tigers with 26 catches and third with 231 yards.Fair opened the campaign by grabbing five passes for 52 yards versus Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. He later had a career-high six receptions against Itawamba Community College.The Amory product averaged a first down per catch during four contests and snagged three or more passes in six outings for Northeast this fall. Fair had a career-long 31-yard reception in a week three matchup at Northwest.

Tiberias Lampkin became a dynamic athlete in his only season on the Booneville campus. He was sixth in the conference with 634 yards on the ground and also finished fifth with 135 touches.Lampkin had two 100-yard rushing performances with the Tigers. He initially reached that plateau at Hinds Community College and repeated the feat three games later versus Coahoma Community College.The West Oktibbeha High School alumnus toted the pigskin 55 consecutive times without a fumble to conclude the campaign. Lampkin added four touchdowns to his resume as well.

Chester Lewis persistently gave Northeast an outstanding effort at the running back position. He tallied 99 carries for 345 yards and scored once during his tenure in the City of Hospitality.Gluckstadt’s Lewis was brilliant during a road trip to Itawamba seven weeks into his inaugural year with the Tigers. He recorded career-bests of 22 rushes and 108 yards during the rivalry affair.Lewis proved to be reliable for Northeast in that he did not lose a fumble at all this campaign. He scored his lone touchdown and also had a season-high eight touches in a triumph by the Tigers at Coahoma.

Jacob Meeks has been a catalyst on special teams over the last couple of years at Northeast. He used his powerful right leg to shift the field position in favor of the Tigers.eeks ended the season tied for first in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) with 43.1 yards per punt. Five of his 14 attempts landed inside the 20-yard line. The former Kossuth High School standout had a career-long 61-yard boot as a freshman versus Northwest. He handled kickoffs as well for Northeast and averaged 51.1 yards with five touchbacks.

Brady Smith was a consistent force for the Tigers in their backfield. He had identical campaigns of 52 tackles for a total of 104 stops, which was the most of any sophomore at Northeast. Smith was tabbed as the MACJC Defensive Player of the Week after accounting for 18 tackles and one fumble recovery against Holmes Community College in the last game of the 2014 season. The South Panola High School graduate also had a 33-yard pick-six that year versus Coahoma. Smith defended four passes, including three break ups and one interception, during his final campaign with the Tigers.

The West Point duo of Woodrow Prince and Mario Virges complete the list of those from Northeast that will take the field for this annual exhibition matchup that pits the North and South divisions against each other. Prince more than doubled his productivity between his first and second seasons with the Tigers to capture MACJC All-State distinction. He had 48 tackles overall, which was the third largest amount on the squad. e set a career-high with 11 stops at Holmes and also had an excellent outing against Northwest with eight takedowns. Prince compiled a team-best six pass break ups as well.

Virges found his way behind the line of scrimmage frequently for the Tigers. He made 69 stops while at Northeast with eight tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one pass break up. He amassed a career-best nine takedowns and three tackles for loss in his initial matchup with the Tigers at Mississippi Gulf Coast. Virges also had a fumble recovery versus East Mississippi Community College during the same campaign.

Davis will serve as the offensive line coach for the North squad. Joining him on the staff is Northeast assistant Dustin Jones, who is tasked with instructing an accomplished batch of running backs.

Kickoff for the 42nd MACJC All-Star Game is slated for 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 5 at Biloxi Indian Stadium. It is being held in conjunction with the Mississippi Bowl after Northeast hosted the contest for 28 straight years behind the vision and guidance of NJCAA Hall of Fame coach W.B. “Bill” Ward.

Blake Long

Sports Information Director

Northeast Mississippi Community College

www.nemccathletics.com