Some strong performances were turned in by several Greenwood-area players in games played Thursday and Friday night.
Leading the trio as the Commonwealth’s Offensive Player of the Week is Pillow Academy’s Dayne Sanford, who reaps the honor for the fifth time this season.
Sanford, a senior running back/linebacker, bulled his way for 152 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries in Pillow’s 31-28 first round playoff win over Silliman Institute Friday night.
He also had a 2-point conversion run, caught two passes for 38 yards and recorded six tackles on defense.
The Mustangs (6-5) go to Heritage Academy Friday for a second-round Class 5A playoff game.
Joining Sanford is Greenwood High quarterback Javeon Smith. The senior signal caller threw for 189 yards on 9-of-13 passing with a touchdown in the Bulldogs’ 38-26 playoff-clinching win over Yazoo City.
He also ran for 59 yards on five carries and had one 2-point run.
Greenwood (5-4) goes to Louisville Friday a first-round North 4A playoff contest.
The third player honored on offense is Leflore County’s Dezmond Ray. The senior running back had 125 yards and two scores on 10 carries in Leflore’s 28-0 win over Leland.
Ray also had two 2-point conversion runs and caught a pass for 20 yards.
Leflore (7-2) plays host to M.S. Palmer Friday in the first round of the North 2A playoffs.
Honored as the Commonwealth’s Defensive Player of the Week is Carroll’s Lofton Holly.
The senior linebacker had 13 tackles in sparking the Rebels on defense in their 28-14 first-round win over Bowling Green in the Class 4A playoffs.
Carroll (7-4 overall) visits Greenville St. Joe Friday in the second round.
Offensive honorable mentions go to Carroll’s Brennan Blaylock and Maddox Carpenter; Pillow’s John Heston Powers; Greenwood’s Bradley O’Bryant and Delta Streets’ Daniel Crain.
Blaylock, a senior quarterback, ran for 72 yards and three scores on nine carries. He also threw for 125 yards on 9-of-20 passing.
Carpenter, a senior running back, had 83 yards on 16 carries and recorded 10 tackles.
O’Bryant, a senior running back, had 74 yards on 12 carries and scored twice.
Crain, a freshman running back, had 104 yards on 20 carries in DSA’s 21-6 loss to Benton in a Class 3A playoff game.
Defensive honorable mentions go to Carroll’s Nathan Matthews and Noah Beck; Pillow’s Drake Alderman; Greenwood’s Antonio Williams, Eric Johnson and Greg Conner; Amanda Elzy’s Eldred Horton, Leflore County’s Taahir Banks, D’Rion Freeman and Dante Kelly and Delta Streets’ Draper Aldridge.
Matthews, a sophomore defensive back, had eight tackles and two interceptions. Beck, a senior defensive back, had six tackles and returned a fumble 84 yards for a touchdown.
Alderman, a sophomore linebacker, had nine tackles.
Williams, a senior end, had eight tackles and an interception. Johnson, an eighth grade free safety, had seven tackles, broke up three passes and picked off a pass. Conner, an eighth grade linebacker, had five tackles and broke up a pass.
Horton, a junior linebacker, had eight solos and three assists in the Panthers’ 32-16 loss to Humphreys County.
Banks, a senior end, had 12 tackles. Freeman, a junior cornerback, had nine tackles. Kelly, a senior linebacker, had 10 tackles and scored two touchdowns and rushed for 52 yards on four carries on offense.
Aldridge, a senior defensive back, had nine tackles and a fumble recovery.
-Contact Calvin Stevens at 662-581-7234 or cstevens@gwcommonwealth.com.
