By Rupert Howell

South Panola running back Qyen Griffin was named Mississippi’s Mister Football by The Clarion Ledger newspaper in Sunday’s edition.

Griffin, a senior, led his football team to a state and national title, the first national title by a Mississippi high school football team.

But Griffin didn’t do it by himself, and the Jackson newspaper realized that by naming wide receiver Nick Brassell, offensive lineman Deshondrick Hines to the state’s First Team offense and linebacker Kendrick Market, and all-purpose strong safety Antonio Conner to the first team defense. All are seniors except Conner who is a sophomore.

On the Second Team two seniors, center  Austin Douglas and lineman Kenyahti McMurry, were named.

Two juniors, defensive lineman Isaac Gross and linebacker Temario Strong were named to the second team defense giving the Tigers some solid experience for the 2011 season.

The new Mr. Football was  not on the offensive radar screen pre-season as he had played defense his prior years when South Panola had a full stable of upper classmen at running back position. But Griffin made the All-State Team last year as linebacker. This season he recorded 2,670 yards averaging 9.2 per carry and 40 touchdowns, 37 on the ground.

Wide Receiver Nick Brassell caught 52 passes for 877 yards and 13 touchdowns during his senior season and had 10 pass break-ups as defensive back.

He was chosen for the Alabama/Mississippi All-Star Classic where he scored a touchdown.

Offensive lineman Deshondrick Hines was a three-year starter for the Tigers. At 6-0, 295 lbs., head coach Lance Pogue describes Hines as physical and tough and “. . . a true run blocker,” helping South Panola total 4,670 yards of rushing this season.

Linebacker Kendrick Market is a two-time All-State selection who not only recorded 52 tackles, six interceptions and two sacks, he played offense running the Tiger’s Wildcat formation and rushed for 726 yards, including six touchdowns and completed 13 of 15 pass attempts.

Pogue said he may have been the most valuable player in the state.

Conner  was the only sophomore to make this year’s All-State Team and led the Tiger defense with 89 tackles and four interceptions, two in the state championship game.

He played for the Tigers at free safety during his freshman year moving to strong safety this season.

Where he plays next year may be anybody’s guess as he rushed for 410 yards on offense scoring six touchdowns. That’s a 12 yard per carry average.

Coach Pogue did not repeat as Coach of the Year as he was named in 2009 by The Clarion Ledger, but he was National All-Star Coach of the Year as announced last week by USA Today.

Former South Panola Coaches named to The Clarion-Ledger’s Coach of the Year title and year named are: Ricky Woods, 2005; Ed Stanley, 1998; and Willis Wright, 1984, (while he was head coach at Starkville).