Best on the gridiron: the 2018 Robeson County all-county football team

All-County awards are decided by The Robesonian’s Jonathan Bym and Donnell Coley based on statistics, overall team performance and on-field impressions. Input from coaches and other area football experts is also taken into consideration.

Coach of the Year: Mike Setzer, St. Pauls —Taking over as the Bulldogs interim head coach this summer, Setzer improved the group’s record by three wins from a year ago. Their 8-4 mark topped all other teams in the county and they were one of just two teams in the area to make the postseason.

County Heisman: Jordan Waters, Sr., ATH, Fairmont — Coming off a stellar junior campaign as a receiver, the Golden Tornadoes senior expanded his offensive arsenal and shifted to the team’s quarterback midway through the season. The move benefited both him and his team as the position change catapulted the group on a run to the playoffs. The Duke signee racked up 2,333 total yards and 30 touchdowns in the process.

Offensive Player of the Year: Chandler Brayboy, Sr., WR, Purnell Swett — Truly one of the most talented players in the county this year with the ball in his hands, Brayboy was a one-man wrecking crew and accounted for the majority of the Rams offensive production. Taking snaps at quarterback and running backing to complement his receiving role, the Elon signee totaled over 1,600 all-purpose yards and 17 touchdowns. He also ran back two kickoffs for touchdowns in back-to-back weeks.

Defensive Player of the Year: Keraun McCormick, Sr., LB, St. Pauls — The senior linebacker had a nose for the ball and led the county with 155 tackles. He had three games with 20-plus tackles, including a season-high 23 at East Bladen. McCormick posted 20 tackles for loss, with seven forced fumbles and one pick.

Most Improved Player of the Year: Marqueise Coleman, Jr., RB, St. Pauls — Coleman was the driving force for the Bulldogs offense this year. The junior finished the season with 1,520 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns. He eclipsed the 100-yard mark times seven times and had two games over 200 yards. Coleman’s marquee performance came against West Columbus where he rushed for 203 yards and five touchdowns. This comes after an injury-stricken sophomore season where he was held to 775 yards rushing.

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OFFENSIVE AWARDS

Athlete

Quamadre Cannady, Sr., St. Pauls

Braylan Grice, Sr., Lumberton

Quarterback

Micah Carter, Sr., Purnell Swett

Denym McKeithan, Jr., Red Springs

Running Back

P.J. Christian, So., South Robeson

Jayshawn Carthen, Sr., Red Springs

Matt Locklear, Sr., Purnell Swett

Wide Receiver

Jayvon Morris, Sr., Fairmont

Jordan McNeill, Jr., Lumberton

Keagan Brayboy, Sr., Red Springs

Tight End

Austin Chavis, Jr., Purnell Swett

Kadeem Leonard, So., Fairmont

Offensive Line

Kevin McMillan, Sr., St. Pauls

Tavian Pratt, Jr., Lumberton

Dustin Miller, Sr., Fairmont

William S. Chavis, Fr., Red Springs

Rufus Harris, Sr., Purnell Swett

DEFENSIVE AWARDS

Defensive Line

Cameron Harrington, Jr., Fairmont

William D. Chavis, Sr., Red Springs

Marquise Murphy, Sr., South Robeson

Ed Brock, Sr., Lumberton

Linebacker

Darron Rozier, Sr., St. Pauls

Dylan Lowry, Sr., Purnell Swett

Erney Revels, Sr., Red Springs

Hunter Brooks, Sr., Lumberton

Defensive Back

Kalvin Carpenter, Sr., St. Pauls

Xavier Covington, Sr., Fairmont

Tobias Epps, Sr., Purnell Swett

Caleb Kelly, Sr., Lumberton

SPECIAL TEAMS AWARDS

Kickers

Chris Canuto, Jr., St. Pauls

Nick Ramirez, Jr., Purnell Swett

Jonathan Bym | The Robesonian file photo Purnell Swett senior Chandler Brayboy (4) celebrates his first-quarter touchdown against Hoke. The Elon signee accounted for 17 touchdowns this season.

https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/web1_Chandler1_ne20181025233212445.jpgJonathan Bym | The Robesonian file photo Purnell Swett senior Chandler Brayboy (4) celebrates his first-quarter touchdown against Hoke. The Elon signee accounted for 17 touchdowns this season.

David Bradley | The Robesonian file photo St. Pauls’ Marqueise Coleman, left, turns the corner earlier this season. Coleman led the county in rushing and showed his full potential with a healthy season.

https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/web1_st.-pauls-ftbl-sp-1-reduce_ne201892823361878.jpgDavid Bradley | The Robesonian file photo St. Pauls’ Marqueise Coleman, left, turns the corner earlier this season. Coleman led the county in rushing and showed his full potential with a healthy season.

Donnell Coley| The Robesonian file photo St. Pauls’ linebacker Keraun McCormick reaches out for a South Robeson ball carrier in the season finale. McCormick finished the season with 155 tackles.

https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/web1_KERAUNTACKLE.jpgDonnell Coley| The Robesonian file photo St. Pauls’ linebacker Keraun McCormick reaches out for a South Robeson ball carrier in the season finale. McCormick finished the season with 155 tackles.

Jonathan Bym| The Robesonian file photo St. Pauls coach Mike Setzer addresses the defense during a late-season game. He led the Bulldogs to a county-best 8-4 record.

https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/web1_SETZER_COY2.jpgJonathan Bym| The Robesonian file photo St. Pauls coach Mike Setzer addresses the defense during a late-season game. He led the Bulldogs to a county-best 8-4 record.

David Bradley | The Robesonian file photo Fairmont’s Jordan Waters took over the offense in the second half of the season as the Golden Tornadoes won four of their last five games to make the playoffs. Waters is Fairmont’s first Robeson County Heisman since Julius Caulder in 2016.

https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/web1_fair-ftbl-f-go-for-td-reduce.jpgDavid Bradley | The Robesonian file photo Fairmont’s Jordan Waters took over the offense in the second half of the season as the Golden Tornadoes won four of their last five games to make the playoffs. Waters is Fairmont’s first Robeson County Heisman since Julius Caulder in 2016.

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