2023-24 ALL-NNS Football Team
1st Team ALL-NNS Offense
QB- SR. Qurron Ross, Kinston High - 197-331, 2,406 passing yards, 27 TDs, 13 INTs. Ross is the best quarterback in the area without a doubt. The numbers put up by the Vikings' senior were dynamic, as he was super accurate on all three levels. Ross's most impressive game this season was against North Lenoir, where he threw for six passing touchdowns in the first half. He finished the game completing 26 of 35 passes for 365 yards and seven touchdowns with no interceptions.
RB- JR. Malik Fuller, North Lenoir - 192 rushes, 1,609 yards, 8.4 per rush, 15 TDs. What an impressive season for the Hawks' running back. Fuller accounted for 60 percent of North Lenoir's total yards and 52 percent of the Hawks' total touchdowns. Malik Fuller was the best running back in the area, also the most productive easily. This kid will be great again next season.
RB- SR. James Ballard, Greene Central - 208 rushes, 1,295 yards, 6.2 per rush, 8 TDs. No one runs more violently than James Ballard. Standing at 5’9", 170 pounds, Ballard has the heart of a lion, never backing down from a collision. Ballard didn’t start until week 4 and still amassed almost 1,300 yards. The Rams' senior was without a doubt the motor of the Rams' offense.
WR- SO. Tyreek Copper, Kinston High - 60 catches, 918 yards, 13 TDs. The BEST playmaker in the area. Standing at 6’2", 170 pounds, there is not a more complete player in their position than Copper. He can run any route on the receiving tree, has great hands, great route running, good speed, and with only being a sophomore, he’s going to get stronger/faster. He was the number one option on a team that defeated every NNS local school they faced. Copper proved he cannot be guarded one-on-one.
WR-SR. AC Simmons, Kinston High - 58 catches, 629 yards, 6 rec TDs, 5 rushes, 94 yards, 2 rush TDs. The most slept-on player in our area. AC Simmons put in work. For the majority of the season, Simmons led his team and area in catches. He made big plays for the Vikings this season and did a lot of dirty work in the short passing game.
ATH- JR. Jaylen Solomon, APA - 166 rushes, 1,140 rushing yards, 13 TDs, 15 catches, 261 rec. yards, 3 TDs. This kid is without a doubt a top player in the area. Solomon took on the heavy load of the APA offense and did it with toughness and touchdowns. A versatile athlete that can line up in the backfield or on the outside as a WR. Solomon is arguably our most improved player in the area.
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN (Coaches Nominations)
OL- SR. Kayvon Freeman, Kinston High
OL- JR. Jack Herring, North Lenoir
OL- JR. Landon Scott, North Lenoir
OL- JR. Tyler Williams, Greene Central
OL- SO. Craig Whitley, Greene Central
K- Derek Carillo, Greene Central- 16-22 PAT 2-2 FG
1st Team ALL-NNS Defense
DL- JR. Tyler Williams, Greene Central - 83 tackles, 24 TFL, 4 hurries, 2 pass deflections, 1 FG block. The heart and soul of the Rams' defense this season. Tyler “Smiley" Williams dominated in the trenches. One player you have to know where he is at all times. Williams is versatile with strength, speed, and explosion. Smiley attracts double teams on most plays and still led the area in tackles for loss by a long shot.
DL- JR. Javen Dixon, Kinston - Stats unavailable. Long and agile defensive end that plays down the line effectively but also a terror on the pass rush. Dixon, being taught by former KHIGH defensive star Reginald Clark, progressed into a problem this season coming off the edge. Dixon's production lacked due to facing a conference full of run-dominant teams but he left no doubt he is top-tier talent this season.
DL- SR. Mike Jones, North Lenoir - 25 tackles, 8 TFLs, 2 sacks. Mike Jones is a big and powerful force in the trenches. Jones lived in the backfield of opposing teams and forced plays away from his zone/gap the majority of the time. His numbers don’t reflect his work as a run-stuffing defensive lineman, but there is no doubt Jones is the best defensive interior lineman in our area.
DL- SO. Mez Coppedge, Greene Central - 44 tackles, 9 TFLs, 2 sacks, 4 hurries, 3 pass deflections, 2 FF, 1 FR. One of the most interesting storylines of a player this season. Started the season at cornerback and safety, Coach Jay Wilson had to make some changes to adjust his defense after a slow start. He got this one right! Mez, a 6’3", 190-pound edge rusher, brings it. Coppedge possesses all the makeup of a high-potential defensive end with long arms, explosive athleticism, and a high motor.
LB- SR. Cade Mixon, APA - 114 tackles, 6 TFLs, 4 sacks, 1 interception, 2 FF, 2 FG blocks, 1 defensive TD. A pure dog on the field! I loved watching this kid play, a great athlete, tenacious, high motor, and high IQ makes up a great linebacker. Mixon was huge for APA, making play after play, including a game-winning play like blocking the game-winning FG against JP2 to seal the win.
LB- SR. Larry Dillon, Greene Central - 78 tackles, 9 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 pass deflection, 1 FF. One of the most consistent players in the area. Game in and game out, you knew what you were going to get out of Larry Dillon. Small but brings the heat! LJ delivered many crushing hits this season and went to war in the trenches as Greene Central's lead head hunter on defense.
LB- SR. Jedi Day, South Lenoir - Stats not available. Day is a warrior. Went out and competed every play and made a difference in the game. Leader of the Blue Devils' defense. Athletic, versatile, played multiple positions on both sides of the ball.
DB- SR. Jaylen Wynn, Greene Central - 36 tackles, 4 interceptions, 1 pick-six TD, 7 pass deflections. A four-year varsity player for the Rams, Wynn put in his work at the safety position. A two-way player, ball-hawk safety with stout run game support. Wynn was huge for the Rams this year, consistently making plays. Leader and captain of the Rams.
DB- SO. Exavion Croom, Kinston - No stats available. Croom has all-around skills to be a playmaker anywhere on the field. The fastest player in the area, strong, hard-nosed mindset, sure tackler, and good coverage. This kid is going to be a real big part of Kinston football the next two years.
DB- SO. Michael Suggs Jr, Greene Central - 43 tackles, 1 TFL, 5 interceptions, 3 pass deflections, 1 FR, 1 defensive TD. Suggs switched from outside linebacker to safety midseason and flourished immediately. The Rams' safety had an incredible year, leading the area in interceptions (5). A ball-hawk with a good sense of being in the right spot at the right time.
ATH- James Ballard, Greene Central - 57 tackles, 4 TFLs, 3 interceptions, 2 pass deflections, 1 pick-six TD, 1 FR. Ballard deserves the athlete title on defense as he played as needed for the Rams. Switching back and forth from linebacker to defensive back, Ballard made plays regardless of his position pre-snap. Ballard is a hard-nosed, tough kid, that wants action.
2nd Team ALL-NNS Offense
QB- SR. Caleb Sanderson APA.
RB- SR. Jeremiah Hart, Kinston
RB- SR. Montreal Yancey-Moore, Greene Central
WR- JR. Christian Tavarez, Greene Central
WR- SR. Jaylen Wynn, Greene Central
ATH- FR. Kendarius Bey, South Lenoir
OL- JR. West Broadway, North Lenoir
OL- SO. Mishaun Pollard, Kinston
OL- FR. Alex Stott, APA
OL- JR. Jaylen Chavis, Greene Central
OL- JR, Gjamarion Burris, Jones Senior
2nd Team ALL-NNS Defense
DL- Adonius Newborn-Williams, Kinston
DL- Tony Stephens, North Lenoir
DL- Isaiah Newton, Kinston
DL- Jeremy Snipes, APA
DL- Kane Moore, North Lenoir
LB- Haywood Porter, North Lenoir
LB- Peyton Wiggins, North Lenoir
LB- Jedi Day, South Lenoir
DB- Koraun Humprehy, Kinston
DB- Jamorris Poole, Kinston
DB- Frank Haddock, South Lenoir
DL- Kane Moore, North Lenoir
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