RANGERS ALL OVER ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM | Webb named defensive MVP
Kilgore College cornerback Jaylon Webb had to be a pretty happy young man on Monday.
That’s because Webb, from Kennedale, was named the defensive player of the year as a part of the Southwest Junior College Football Conference’s 2024 All-Conference Team.
Webb and three KC teammates – defensive back Anthony Rose, defensive lineman Wilburn Smallwood, and deep snapper Trace Emola – were all named first-team all-conference.
Webb had five interceptions to lead everyone on the ball-hawking Rangers’ defense. He also had 44 tackles, two for loss, and a forced fumble.
Smallwood, a former Lufkin High standout, had five sacks, 48 tackles, three for loss, and a forced fumble.
Rose, from Central High in Miami, Fla., had an interception, five pass-breakups, 24 tackles, one for loss.
Webb, Smallwood and Rose are all sophomores.
Named second-team all-conference from the Rangers: receiver Samuel Mbake (sophomore, Kennesaw, Ga.), running back Gary Maddox (sophomore, Euless Trinity), tight end Ashtin Watkins (freshman, Tyler High), offensive lineman Zo’Maryon Bryan (sophomore, Bay City), defensive lineman Christian Thomas (sophomore, Port Arthur Memorial), linebacker Josh Williams (sophomore, Mesquite High), and kick returner Devontae Mozee (sophomore, Hodge High in Jonesboro, La).
Honorable mention all-conference players from KC: running backs Luke McMullen (freshman, Jefferson) and Dominique Williams (sophomore, Marshall), receivers Mozee and Tanner Harrison (sophomore, St. Martinsville, La), offensive linemen Austin Yeager (sophomore, Richland Foster), and Etueni Ropati (freshman, Killeen Shoemaker), defensive lineman Matt Freeman (sophomore, Trinity Christian in Red Oak), linebackers Izeal Jones (sophomore, Houston Pearland) and DaeVaundric Lewis (sophomore, Daingerfield), and defensive back Marcus Moultrie (sophomore, Killeen Harker Heights).
Cisco quarterback Landon Vessell was named the conference’s overall most valuable player, wide receiver Tim Burns of Navarro was named the offensive player of the year, and Tyler Junior College coach Tanner Jacobson was named the coach of the year.
Navarro topped TJC in the conference title game. Kilgore College had sought a third straight conference title – the Rangers didn’t get that, but did finish with a 6-4 record and made it back to the conference playoffs. KC hasn’t missed the playoffs since the 2017 season.