Who was the Mississippi Coast’s best high school football player in 2023? Vote now.
There was no shortage of talent on the Coast in 2023.
South Mississippi earned another Mr. Football award winner in Picayune’s Jamonta Waller, and many schools were represented by All-State selections.
Nominees for the Sun Herald’s fan vote for Player of the Year come from Bay High, George County, Hancock, Harrison Central, Gulfport, Ocean Springs, Pass Christian, Picayune, Resurrection and St. Stanislaus.
The winner of the poll will be recognized in the All-South Mississippi Football Team.
You can vote as many times as you like until the poll closes on Dec. 13 at noon. The poll is not scientific, and you can vote again by simply refreshing the page.
If you’d like to nominate a player for the Sun Herald All-South Mississippi football team, contact us via email at swatkins@sunherald.com or on Twitter (@ScottWatkinsSH) with the player’s name and stats.
- Ian Gonzalez Rioz, St. Stanislaus: Gonzalez Rioz made his lone year as the Rock-a-Chaws’ starting quarterback count, throwing for 18 touchdowns, rushing for 17 more scores and returning a kick for a touchdown.
- Benny Williams, Bay High: Williams rushed for 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns on offense and recorded 60 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and seven sacks on defense.
- Jamonta Waller, Picayune: Waller was named 6A Mr. Football after picking up 22 tackles for loss with nine sacks.
- Dylan Moran, Hancock: Moran led the Coast in touchdown passes with 28 while throwing for 2,249 yards.
- Nico Williams, Gulfport: Williams led the Admirals in passing with 2,182 yards and 18 touchdowns and in rushing with 440 yards and eight more scores.
- Trace Carter, Ocean Springs: Carter was a mainstay in his opponent’s backfield, racking up 32 tackles for loss and seven sacks while intercepting two passes.
- Marlin Odom, George County: The two-way threat caught six touchdown passes on offense and was one of the Coast’s leaders in interceptions on defense with six.
- Tyree Barnett, Harrison Central: Barnett led the Coast in receptions with 62 and in receiving yards with 1,005 while catching nine touchdown passes.
- Jacquez Alexander-Dedeaux, Pass Christian: Alexander-Dedeaux helped power an explosive Pirate offense with 1,472 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns.
- Daniel Pickens, Resurrection: Pickens found the end zone more than anyone else in South Mississippi with 22 rushing touchdowns and six receiving scores.
This story was originally published December 6, 2023 at 10:02 AM.
