Gene's 1997 "Sweet 16"

The Top 16 Mississippi High School Football Players of 1997

After much research I have come up with a list of whom I consider to be some of the best senior football players Mississippi will have to offer this coming football season. I don't pretend to think that this list is perfect. I have only seen two of these players play; therefore, this list is based on what I have read and heard from various sources. I'm sure I have left off players that should be on this list, so look at it and tell me if you feel there is a player you think should be on this list. The list is in no certain order.
  • Anthony Ephfrom - QB/ATH, 6-1 190, 4.6, Madison Central HS. Honorable Mention All-State.

  • Nick Floyd - LB, 6-1 200, 4.6, Pontotoc HS. Very strong: 265 bench press, 520 squat, 580 dead lift. 2nd Team All-Division. This is my sleeper prospect among the Sweet 16.

  • Tyrone Green - OL, 6-4 276, 5.0, Ripley HS (last I heard he was moving to Shannon HS). All-Region, All-Area, All-County.

  • Justin Griffith - RB, 6-1 210, 4.6, Magee HS. 2nd Team All-State.

  • Robert Jacobs - WR, 6-1 190, 4.5, Raymond HS. Caught 49 passes for 1,102 yards and scored 13 TDs. Honorable Mention All-State, All-Metro.

  • Albert Jones - RB, 6-0 210, 4.5, Velma Jackson HS. Rushed for a school record 2,011 yards on 261 carries and scored 20 TDs. 2nd Team All-State, All-Divison, All-Metro.

  • Francisco Kelly - RB, 6-1 185, 4.5, Moss Point HS. Rushed for 756 yards and scored 12 TDs. Honorable Mention All-Coast Team.

  • Syniker Taylor - RB/DB, 6-3, 195, 4.5, Gulfport HS. .

  • Dicenzo Miller - RB/DB, 5-10 175, 4.5, Weir HS. Rushed for 1,790 yards and scored a state-record 42 TDs. 1st Team All-State.

  • Freddie Milons - QB/WR, 5-10 175, 4.4, Starkville HS. Honorable Mention All-State, All Region Co-MVP.

  • Reggie Myles - CB, 5-11 170, 4.4, Pascagoula HS. Picked off 3 passes and had 69 tackles. Honorable Mention All-State, All-Region, All-Coast.

  • Marco Minor - WR, 6-3 190, 4.6, Natchez HS. Honorable Mention All-State.

  • Edward Prather - RB, 6-1 185, 4.5, Falkner HS. Rushed 1,610 yards on 174 carries and scored 16 TDs. Honorable Mention All-State, 3-time All-Area, Tippah County Back of the Year.

  • Eddie Strong - LB, 6-3 210, 4.6, South Panola HS. Averaged 11 tackles per game. All-State.

  • Nick Wash - RB, 6-1, 200, 4.4. Picayune HS. Will be highly recruited.

  • Kendrick Wise - OL, 6-3, 301, 5.1/5.3 Greenwood HS. The top talent on a team with three top D-I prospects. Made the All-Commonwealth Team last season.