National News

 November 2, 2009

Itawamba Community College had a trio of players honored by the MACJC on its post-season football awards listings. The Indians, who played the final six contests of the season with at least six starters out in each game, had offensive lineman Houston Lantrip (6'3, 275 Fr. Southaven) and defensive back Darius Slay (6'1, 190 Fr. Brunswick, GA) make the first team MACJC All-State North squad.

The Mississippi State signee, Slay, also was selected by the league coaches to the all-state north squad second team as a returner after finishing among the state's best in kickoff returns with a 24 yard average in 20 returns and that didn't count a 90 yard kickoff return for a touchdown that was called back due to a penalty the first time he touched the ball as a collegiate in the season opening win against then number 14 Jones County. He also finished among the state leaders in interceptions with three on the year to go along with his 41 tackles and five pass break ups.

Nose tackle Jeffrey Howie (6'4, 325 So. Chester, PA) missed the final three games of the year with an injury to his hand and still made the all-state north second squad after registering a team best five sacks in six games and also was in the MACJC top five in solo tackles when he was injured in the sixth game of the year against Delta. The second team all-state selection a year ago as an offensive lineman had 38 tackles on the year (35 solo) and 12 tackles for losses in just six games along with a couple quarterback pressures.