By By Marty Stamper/The Meridian Star
Dec. 31, 2001
When the original plans were being made for the 2001 football season at Wayne Academy, Tom Boszor was supposed to be in the background as one of the Jaguars' assistant coaches.
The head coach moved off before the season began and Boszor got a quick promotion.
All he did was led Wayne to a 12-2 record and a second place finish in the Academy A league.
In doing so, Boszor was named The Meridian Star's 2001 All-Area Coach of the Year.
Joining Boszor on the team's coaching staff are Newton County's Jeff Breland, Louisville's Tony Stanford, Quitman's Charles Faulkner, and Noxubee County's M.C. Miller.
Breland, the 2000 Coach of the Year, led the Cougars to a 12-1 season, the Region 5-3A championship, and the third round of the Class 3A state playoffs.
Stanford opened his season with three straight losses to Class 5A teams, but finished the year with an 8-5 mark and a trip to the third round of the Class 4A playoffs.
Faulkner got the Panthers from Clarke County in the state playoffs for the first time in school history as they reached the second round in Class 4A in going 9-3.
Miller led Noxubee County to a 10-2 record, the Division 2-4A championship, and a trip to the second round of the Class 4A playoffs.
Four players were selected for individual honors.
Wayne County senior defensive lineman Willie Evans was selected Player of the Year. The 6-foot-2, 260-pound senior recorded 88 tackles and had nine sacks and three fumble recoveries for the War Eagles as they went 9-3 and reached the Class 5A playoffs. The War Eagles allowed 14 points or less in eight of their 12 games.
West Lauderdale junior running back Carlessio Blanks was named Best Offensive Player. Blanks was second in the state in Class 3A rushing yardage as he gained 2,090 yards on 269 carries. Blanks, a 5-foot-8, 185-pound junior, scored 26 touchdowns as the Knights went 7-5 and reached the second round of the 3A playoffs. He was also named Most Valuable Player for Region 5-3A.
Newton County senior place-kicker David McConnell was chosen Best Special Teams Player. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound senior was 9-of-17 in field goals and 45-of-51 in extra points. He was equally adept at long kicks and sky kicks on kickoffs. He booted a 53-yard field against Morton and a 52-yarder at West Lauderdale in the state playoffs. McConnell also averaged 38.4 yards as a punter.
Philadelphia junior Tyler Threadgill was named All-Purpose Player of the Year. Threadgill, a 5-foot-11, 165-pound junior, rushed 106 times for 807 yards and seven touchdowns as the Tornadoes' quarterback. He completed 29-of-71 passes for 538 yards and four touchdowns. Threadgill also averaged 37.6 yards punting and kicked three field goals and 21 extra points as the Tornadoes went 7-5 and reached the second round of the Class 3A playoffs. He averaged 33.1 yards on eight kickoff returns and 31.3 yards on six punt returns. He also started in the defensive secondary.
Marty Stamper is a sports writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail him at mstamper@themeridianstar.com or call him at 693-1551, ext. 3235.