DUNN – Nine Bladen County athletes – 6 from East Bladen and 3 from West Bladen – have been named to the 2022 All-Southeastern Athletic Conference football team.
Juniors Masion Brooks, Jadon Pridgen and Rodney Lacewell, seniors Zamar Lewis and Jordan Mathis and sophomore Malikah Moore were the Eagle representatives on the honors team. Chosen from West Bladen were seniors Tydrick Stewart, Deonte Lacey and Tyler Ward.
Brooks was the centerpiece of Coach Robby Priest’s offense rushing for 1,436 yards, 20 touchdowns and 7 conversions. Top rushing performances by Brooks included: 213 yards, 3 touchdowns vs. South Columbus; 285 yards, 2 touchdowns vs. West Bladen; 230 yards, 4 touchdowns vs. Fairmont.
Pridgen, 6-2, 211 lbs., played a starring roll at linebacker for the Eagle defense as they won their final 4 regular season games. He finished with 2 pass interceptions and 1 fumble recovery while causing 1 fumble.
Lacewell anchored the Eagle defensive line from his tackle position. Mathis rushed for 188 yards, 4 touchdowns and 1 conversion on offense and intercepted 3 passes, recovered a fumble and caused 2 fumbles on defense.
The versatile Lewis rushed for 406 yards, 4 touchdowns and 1 conversion on offense. Defensively, he intercepted 3 passes, recovered a fumble and caused 2 more fumbles. Lewis also returned 5 kickoffs for 75 yards.
Moore caught 10 passes for 236 yards, 3 touchdowns and 2 conversions. The speedy sophomore returned 14 kickoffs for 243 yards and led the Eagle defense with 5 pass interceptions.
Stewart rushed for 441 yards and 5 touchdowns, caught 25 passes for 239 yards and a touchdown and returned 19 kickoffs for 467 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Knight scatback racked up 1,155 all-purpose yards.
Lacey led the Knight defense with 69 total tackles and 52 solo tackles. The 6-3, 270 lb. tackle was credited with 13 tackles for loss, 7 quarterback sacks and 9 quarterback hurries. Top performances included 16 tackles vs. Fairmont and 12 tackles vs. East Bladen.
Ward sparked the Knight defense with 68 total tackles and 53 solo tackles. The 5-11 linebacker made a team-high 14 tackles for loss and had 1 sack and 4 quarterback hurries. A 16 tackle game at Fairmont headlined his season.
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