NOXAPATER FOOTBALL DEFENSIVE DREAM TEAM

Ends: Samuel Moore (1970-71) and Steven Parker (1984-86) Moore, at 6'5", 220 was strong enough and quick enough to play almost any position. He dropped back to free safety for the 1971 Big Black championship game and picked off four passes. He was the conference's most valuable player in basketball and won the shot put event in the conference track and field meet. Moore was the first Noxapater player selected to the Mississippi All-Star game. Parker, another all-star game choice, led the state runner-up team in 1986. He made the game-saving tackle against Sturgis in the state playoffs.

Tackles: John Carter (1970-72), Devon Coburn (1990-92), and Eric Lyon (1997-99). Carter and Coburn have several things in common. They were both selected to the All-Star game and then played in the SEC. They both led Noxapater to 11 wins in their senior seasons and they both had tremendous size and strength. Carter started at defensive tackle two years at MSU while Coburn played a year on defense and then switched to offense at Ole Miss. Lyon, though not as large, was equally impressive on the defensive line. He led the team to the state championship game as a senior. His interception against Durant in the playoffs preserved the win. Lyon signed a track scholarship with Southern Mississippi as a discus and hammer thrower. He broke Southern's school record in the hammer throw as a sophomore.

Linebackers: Barry Hatcher (1970-73), Paul Coburn (1971-72), and Willie B. Moore (1978-80) Hatcher was a 6'0", 210 lb. mass of muscle who started four years for the Tigers and then played at ECJC. Coburn was a speed rusher from the outside who had a knack for being around the ball. He scored five touchdowns in 1972 from his outside linebacker position on the way to being named all-conference. Moore was a two-time defensive player of the year in the ECAC. He was selected to the all-star game and then played at USM.

Backs: Lemone Triplett (1974-76), Ricky Phillips (1978-80), Darryl Burnside (1984-86), Bobby Hudson (1958-60), and Noah Bryant (1996-98). Triplett was named the Big Black Conference Defensive MVP in 1976 after helping the Tigers to a 9-2 season. Burnside was a two-time state high jump champion. Phillips was chosen as a defensive back on the Mississippi All-Star team and signed with USM along with teammate W.B. Moore. Hudson was a hard-nosed player who helped lead the Tigers to three straight winning seasons. He had a 106-yard fumble return against Sebastopol in 1960. Bryant was a state champion sprinter in track and used his speed to pick off seven passes in 1998.

Punters: Dennis Duran (1982-84) and Matthew Stone (1997-99). Duran was chosen the all-county punter in 1984. Stone led the state in 1998 with a 39.2 average on 31 punts. His best effort was a school-record 71-yarder against Scott Central in 1999. He averaged 48 yards per punt in the 1998 Weir game.