MAIS CLASS 6A Standout Players

Gage Sorey #23 6'0 180 Defensive Back Senior   Sorey should win the MVP of 6A MAIS this season; the kid made plays all over the field from offense, defense, and special team as a punt returner. He is the type of kid that you just love to have on your team as a coach; he is very gritty, team oriented, and kamikaze throwing his body around. He led the state of Mississippi in interceptions with 12 which is big time production, and shows his playmaking ability without having to turn film on. He has very good instincts of where the play his trying to attack, and he does not turn down the moment to make a game a changing play. He stamped his MVP campaign against last years champions MRA when he caught a corner post route, split 2 defenders, and raced for a touchdown. Lead the state in interceptions and have 750 yards plus as receiver on offense he's unquestionably the MVP of 6A football this year. The kid was very impressive all year long and well coached.   [player_tooltip player_id='348128' first='Reed' last='Jesiolowski'] #11 6'3 205 Running Back Junior   Jesiolowski was a one man wrecking crew out there this season for the Hawks. It seemed like at times he won games all by himself racking up huge rushing totals verse Jackson Academy and Madison Ridgeland Academy. Reed is a converted receiver to the running back position which makes it even more impressive because its not his nature position, but he strived at it in the second half of the season. Jesiolowski is one of the more physically imposing players you will see in MAIS; standing at 6'3 205 lbs playing wide receiver is the stature you see out on the field on Saturdays. One of the things that make Reed so good is that he has elite straight line speed with somewhere in the 4.4-4.5 range in the speed department and along with his vision. He has had a bunch of long runs were he went untouched for touchdowns or until the 3rd level of the defense; accredit that to his offensive line also his elite vision to find running lanes. If it was for his teammate Jesiolowski would have be next in line to win the MVP award for 6A football.   [player_tooltip player_id='344088' first='John' last='White'] #1 6'0 190 Quarterback Junior   White is the best quarterback in MAIS football and arguably the best in the state c/o 24. The kid is cool, calm, and collective running the MRA offense called by Herbert Davis. He really has a strong grip on what is going on inside of MRA's offense, and it shows every Friday night. He led MAIS quarterbacks in passing yards and was second amongst the whole state. White is a Southern Miss commit and it shows why he has early offers if you have watched him play the past 2 years. He is one competitive kid and you can tell he works at his game by how polished he is with his footwork and poise in the pocket. He didn't quite have the ending that he wanted for his junior season, but look for White and the MRA Patriots to reload and come back stronger next season. As of now he still holds the throw for the best Quarterback in MAIS until proven otherwise.   Amarien Jefferson 6'0 166 Quarterback Senior   Jefferson was arguably the best athlete in the entire MAIS league playing the quarterback position. He was a one man show at times for the Pioneers breaking off long highlight reel plays with his legs game in and game out. When you watch him on film you wonder is he as fast in person as it looks on film and that question has been answered the kid is fast. He probably runs the 40 yard dash around 4.5 range and has elite cuts against the grain leaving defenders in the dust. He also possess a strong arm striking through the air often throughout the season so playing Jefferson was always a tough task for any defensive coordinator. Jefferson's season may not have ended the way he would have liked, but he put up nice production individually landing him amongst the top 10 players in MAIS 6A.   Zed Washington #17 6'3 225 Middle Linebacker Junior   This is the most physically imposing linebacker in MAIS hands down. Beyond [player_tooltip player_id='212364' first='Dereon' last='Albert'], Washington is arguably the most physically imposing overall player in the league, the kid is huge. He Stans 6'3 in height and 225 pounds in weight looking like a power 5 linebacker currently and he's only a junior. The kid was impressive all year long being the heart and soul of the Pioneer's defense chasing down ball carriers sideline to sideline. Washington really bring the thunder when he tackles when the bal is ran directly to him, but normal you will see him making tackles running down the play as to many teams didn't run directly at him. He also excels in pass coverage too with 2 interceptions from his "Mike" linebacker positions. His stats will not jump off the charts at you to show how good he is; you would have to turn on the tape to see his value. Overall Washington played well his junior campaign and will only continue to excel more.   Jaylen Anderson #7 5'11 165 Athlete Senior   Anderson was the heart and soul of the Bobcats football team. If he had a big game they normally won the game, and if he had a bad game they normally lost that game. Jaylen is as quick as a cat on offense and has great ball skills to go with his defensive assignment as a defensive back. He was always a big play waiting to happen every time he touched the ball, and was an exciting guy to watch all season. He came up big in the huge upset win over Hartfield early in the season as a high point for the Bobcats.   Will Upton #11 5'10 165 Wide Receiver Senior   Upton gets the nod as the best receiver in 6A. He was extremely consistent all year long winning the title for the most yards in the league with 1.199 yards and 17 touchdowns. He done most of his damage from the slot receiver position giving linebackers and nickel backs fits nightly. Upton came up big in the state championship game with 5 receptions for 129 yards and a touchdown to end the year plus the ultimate prize of a state championship. He just really has a knack for getting open and finding the4 soft spots in zones. He also possesses the speed to win vertical consistency which making him the complete package in the slot.   Rivers Godwin #4 6'2 180 Wide Receiver Senior   Rivers blew the top off defenses all year long. He possesses prototypical size at 6'2 and weight 180 is equivalent to what you will consisitently throughout college football rosters. Godwin has great straight line speed clocking in the 40 yard dash around 4.4 range. He is the epitome of a deep threat receiver in the MRA offense who features him as he raced to 1,100 yards this season coming up second in that department. Rivers had monster games this year especially against top ranked Raleigh in the public school ranks who also boast the top player in the state too. He racked up over 200 yards receiving against the Lions.   [player_tooltip player_id='340872' first='Noah' last='Short'] #7 5'11 185 Cornerback Senior   Noah is the best defensive back in MIAS overall. Teams game plan to attack the other side of the field normally when team's game planned against them. His stat will not show his true dominance due to not having any interceptions this season, but he was amongst the leader in pass break ups. He plays boundary corner and usually is going against the team's #1 receiver in 1v1 coverage. Beyond his very cover skills, Noah is a very physical corner coming up in the run game often being assigned d gap on corner blitz calls. He was a very vital part of MRA success this season locking down a half of the field forcing teams to go away from his side.   [player_tooltip player_id='353438' first='Matthew' last='Perkins'] #9 5'10 160 Cornerback Sophomore   Perkins is the youngest player on this list, but do not tell that to him by watching his maturity on the field. He was amongst the leaders in interceptions especially early on in the season. Perkins mostly played receiver his freshman year for MRA, but this year for varsity he strived on the defensive side of the ball as the "nickel back". He had 5 interceptions finishing amongst the top of all the leaderboards from public to private schools according to max preps. Narrow the list down to only sophomore he ranks in the top 5 which is very impressive being apart of a program with a nice senior class. Perkins trajectory looks to be on a great incline, and next year we will probably get to see Perkins on the offensive side at Wide Receiver to go along with his defensive assignment continuing at nickel back. He has a chance to really make a legacy at MRA going forward with the impact he potentially holds after having such a nice season.   [player_tooltip player_id='106321' first='Jalyn' last='Spencer'] #2 6'2 265 Defensive Line Senior   Spencer was the heart and soul of the Bobcat defense rotating from defensive tackle to "Mike" linebacker dominating opposing offenses. He was in the top portion for total tackles, tackle for loss, and sacks in MAIS 6A statistics. Jalyn possess elite quickness for such a big guy and brute strength to shed blockers to make tackles in the backfield. He was so athletic they would stand the 265lb tackle up at "Mike" linebacker and watch him roam making tackles sideline to sideline. Spencer is the nephew of former Collins High School standout and NFL vet Brandon McDonald so you know the genes are present.

Gage Sorey #23 6'0 180 Defensive Back Senior