Seven Bulldogs honored by the MACJC, Region XXIII

Others players named to the team included: Eric Hilton, Second Team All-State, defensive line; Kris Givens, Second Team All-State, defensive back; Dennis Robertson, Honorable Mention All-State, quarterback; and Dalvin Taylor, Honorable Mention All-State, linebacker.

With Rumph's All-Region, he will now be considered for All-American. The Cayce, S.C. sophomore finished the season with 45 catches for 569 yards and three touchdowns for the Bulldogs. "Everybody recognizes his talent," Koonz said. "He definitely deserved that (All-State honor). We hope he has the opportunity to be an All-American." He recently made a verbal commitment to play for the Georgia Bulldogs next season.

Ousley, a sophomore from Canton, finished the season with 19 kickoff returns for 468 yards and two touchdowns, one from 93 yards. "Ousley's selection was well-deserved," Koonz said. "His award is a team award, one that should be shared with the kickoff return team."

Ousley missed the first few games with a nagging hamstring injury. "There's no telling what kind of year he would have had if he stayed healthy all year," he added. "Nobody got a bead on what we were trying to do on kickoff returns."

Robinson, a sophomore from Canton, started consistently along the offensive front both this season and his freshman season. "Robinson was a returning All-State selection," Koonz said. "He had a great reputation in the league."

Hilton, a freshman from Hollywood, S.C., finished the season with 54 tackles including eight tackles for loss, and five sacks. He also had five caused fumbles. "Eric was our most productive defensive lineman," Koonz said. "He could get the quarterback moving in the pocket and was a presence up front."

Givens, a freshman from Ridgeland, had 34 tackles, seven interceptions with one returned for a touchdown, 12 pass breakups and three recovered fumbles with one being returned 85 yards for a touchdown. "I'm disappointed that he didn't get first team," Koonz said. "He's a Division I talent. We had an All-State selection from last year (Cedrick Tillman) playing the other corner, and they really didn't throw in his direction quite as much. A lot of opportunities came his (Givens') way. The defensive scheme put him in situations where he was able to make those plays.

Robertson, a sophomore from Gulfport, threw for 1477 yards on 151-of-251 passes, six touchdowns and seven interceptions.   He rushed for 96 yards and had seven touchdowns. "Dennis was a warrior," Koonz said. "The harder you hit him, the more he came back and competed. He took a bunch of hits, but he kept on ticking.

"He's a tough kid, and a kid that likes to win and compete. That'll carry over to the rest of his life. Competitors are winners. Even though the coaches didn't want Robertson taking on linebackers, Robertson didn't shy away from the contact. "He wanted to see who's the better man," he said.

Taylor, a sophomore from Grenada, had 70 tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack and four pass breakups. "I was happy for Dalvin," Koonz said. "He didn't play a lot last year," Koonz said. "He was our smartest defensive player. The fact he was able to pick it up enabled him to make a lot of plays.

"He was a product of the system. He came in, really listened, really studied and knew where to be. He may not have been the best physical specimen, but he was the smartest."