FOOTBALL|Hinds AHS’ Darious Newton finishes as area’s top rusher

UTICA — Hinds AHS coach Michael Fields says that junior tailback Darious Newton is on his way toward becoming another standout War Dawg.

Coming up

Dec. 24: Area coach of the year

Dec. 26: County coach of the year

Dec. 27: County defensive

player of the year

Dec. 28:  County offensive player of the year, All-County team

Another season like 2008, and Newton will be drawing comparsions to War Dawg greats like Austin Divinity and Albert Williams. Newton finished his junior year as the top rusher in the Vicksburg Post area with 1,614 yards and 16 touchdowns on 212 carries. For his efforts, he has been picked as the Post’s 2008 Area Player of the Year.

“Darius is what I would call a late bloomer. We just saw his potential last year when he broke into the starting lineup,” Fields said. “I think with continued maturity, he can make himself into a Division I prospect.”

Divinity, the 2004 Area Player of the Year, signed out of Hinds AHS with Southern Miss as a defensive back. After not making NCAA eligibility requirements, Divinity played one season at Gulf Coast Community College before transferring to Hinds CC. There he got into some legal trouble and is now out of football.

Williams, a running back, played two seasons at Gulf Coast and just completed his junior season as the starting running back at Nicholls State University in Thibodeaux, La.

Fields hopes Newton will follow the path Williams blazed rather than Divinity’s.

“Darious has a lot of the same qualities Albert has. He has the drive inside his heart. The big thing with Albert is that he played the game at full speed. That’s what I want to see out of Darious,” Fields said.

“That’s what I want to do, play the game hard,” Newton said. “I haven’t played my best game.”

Again Williams’ success at the collegiate level is something Newton wants to emulate.

“He ran the ball hard every time. I want to do that,” Newton said.

Newton said Fields and his War Dawg teammates have done their part.

“My coach keeps me pretty motivated and my teammates keep me pumped up,” Newton said.

A self-described B and C student, Newton would love to go to a school like LSU or any other SEC school.

“I just have to work hard in the weight room. Eat right and get my rest and be ready to go next year as a senior,” Newton said.

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Contact Jeff Byrd at jbyrd@vicksburgpost.com.

Vicksburg Post All-Area Players of the Year

2008 – Darious Newton, RB, Hinds AHS

2006 – Jamie Fortenberry, QB, Briarfield

2005 – Albert Williams, RB, Hinds AHS

2004 – Zach McDaniel, RB, SIA

2003 – Brandon Gultrey, QB, McCall

           Cade Marsh, LB, Tallulah Academy

2002 – Cade Marsh, RB, Tallulah Academy

           Britt Grady, DL, Tallulah Academy

2001 – Jeramie O’Neal, RB/LB, McCall

2000 – Michael Lewis, QB, Tallulah High

           Jeff Johnson, LB, Tri-County

1999 – Jason Noland, RB, Tallulah Academy

           Jadice Moore, DL, Port Gibson

1998 – Jason Cassell, RB, Chamberlain-Hunt

           Johnny Hardy, LB, Tallulah High

1997 – Ronnie Strange, WR, Tallulah High

1995 – Josh Wren, RB, Central Hinds

           Michael Puckett, LB, Tallulah High