(front, l-r) Ladarrius Stallings, J. D. Ratliff, Marty Stadom

(back, l-r) Mychal Bailey, Head Coach Charles Anthony, A.J. Freeman

Several members of the Southwest Bears football team were awarded honors from the state’s juco coaches at their recent meeting in Jackson.

Linebacker Mychal Bailey and cornerback J. D. Ratliff were named to the First Team All-State and All-Region squads. In addition, Bailey was named South Division Defensive Co-MVP (along with Co-Lin’s Dequan Menzie).

A 5’ 11”, 193 lb. sophomore from LaGrange, GA, Bailey ended the 2009 season with 101 total tackles. He also had three tackles for loss, three sacks and two forced fumbles as well as a blocked extra point. He added two interceptions and returned one for a 22-yard touchdown. He is a University of Kentucky signee.

Ratliff (5’ 9”, 170), a freshman from Tylertown, led the nation’s two-year schools with 10 interceptions in eight games. He also registered 40 tackles.

Both Bailey and Ratliff have been nominated for NJCAA All-American status.

Chosen for 2nd Team All-State were defensive end Marty Stadom and center Ladarrius Stallings. A native of Melbourne, FL, Stadom (6’ 2”, 235) had 65 tackles in ’09. He led the Bears with six sacks and also forced three fumbles and recorded five tackles for loss.

In addition to receiving All-State honors, Stallings and offensive lineman A. J. Freeman were selected to play in the MACJC All-Star game December 5th in Booneville.

Stallings (6’, 290), a South Pike graduate, had 40 knockdowns this season. A North Pike product, Freeman (6’ 2”, 320) recorded 67 knockdowns.