/Conerly Trophy will be awarded Nov 29; four of 10 schools name their nominees

Conerly Trophy will be awarded Nov 29; four of 10 schools name their nominees

Each year, the award is presented to the best college football player from Mississippi. This is the 21st year of the award. Each of the Mississippi football-playing four year schools nominates a player to receive the award. Four schools have so far named their representative: Austin Bray, Mississippi Valley State quarterback. He has completed 129 out of 239 passes for 1,462 yard and eight touchdowns. He was also responsible for four rushing touchdowns. * Fred Ross, Mississippi State wide receiver. He is the 2016 Southeastern Conference’s leader in touchdown receptions with nine. He also ranks third in receiving yards with 664 and third in catches with just 57. This season, Ross holds four MSU career records in receiving: catches (184) and consecutive games with a catch (32) as well as receiving yards (2,275) and 100-yard receiving games (9 (9)). Ross’s 184 career catches rank 16th in the SEC. With 33 catches, he leads all SEC receivers for 10-yard or more plays from scrimmage. * Javancy Jones (Jackson State defensive end): He is the JSU C Spire Conerly nominee. Jones, a versatile defensive linebacker and linebacker who leads JSU’s defense with 17.5 tackles for loss and four quarterback interceptions for 26 yards losses, is an excellent example of a hybrid defensive end/linebacker. He is also used by JSU as a tightend and has caught two passes, including one touchdown. * Marcel Newson is a Mississippi College wide receiver, and kick returner. He was transferred from Northwest Community College. He was the leader of the Gulf South Conference, and ranks fifth in all-purpose yardage at 180.6 yards per match. He led the Gulf South Conference and was 27th in all-purpose yards with 180.6 yards per game. GSC ranks third in kickoff return average (27.3), and punt return average (15.5). The deadline for coaches to name their finalist is Monday, November 21st. Dak Prescott was the first player to win consecutive years of the Conerly Trophy. Jerious Norwood and Austin Davis were also winners in the past. The Clarksdale Country club will host the 21st annual C Spire Conerly Trophy Presentation. A 5:30 p.m. reception will be followed by the banquet and trophy presentation at 6:30 p.m. For ticket information, contact the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum at 1-800-280-FAME (3263), 601-982-8264 or generalinfo@msfame.com.