Several East Central Community College football players received honors following the 2010 campaign.

At the top of the list is defensive standout Chris Ficklin of Forest, who was named All-Region 23 and first team MACJC All-State.

Ficklin, a 5-11, 195-pound freshman linebacker, led the nation in total tackles with 126 – 78 solo stops and 48 assists. He is also credited with six quarterback sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Ficklin received NJCAA Defensive Player of the Week honors following his performance in the Warriors’ battle with Northwest Mississippi Community College on Sept. 9 in Senatobia.

He registered 17 tackles – including four stops for minus yardage – in the 41-26 loss. He was also credited with 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. 

Ficklin also received MACJC recognition following the Northwest game and for his performance in the Warriors’ 24-14 win over Jones County and the 42-35 loss to Copiah-Lincoln. Ficklin had 19 tackles in each contest.

He is a product of Scott Central High School, where he was chosen best linebacker.

Also receiving first team MACJC All-State honors is sophomore Radarious Owens of Quitman.

Owens, a 5-11, 185-pound wide receiver, had 33 receptions for 537 yards and one score. He averaged 16.3 yards per catch and 59.7 yards receiving per game.    

He is a graduate of Quitman High School, where he was an All-District selection and received best defensive back and best wide receiver honors and the Coaches’ Award.

Two sophomore Warriors received MACJC Second Team honors – defensive standouts Khalid Wilson of New Orleans and linebacker Gabe Loper of Decatur.

Wilson, a 6-1, 310-pound defensive tackle, finished the season with 28 solo tackles and 22 assists. He was also credited with four quarterback sacks, three tackles for loss yardage, two forced fumbles and a blocked field goal.

Wilson is a product of O.P. Walker High School, where he received All-State and All-District honors and was chosen best defensive lineman. 

Loper, a 6-3, 185-pound defensive back, collected 28 solo tackles and 11 assists. He also had three pass break-ups.

He is a product of Newton County High School, where he received second team All-State and All-District recognition. 

Warriors selected MACJC Honorable Mention include quarterback Blake Matherne of Boothville, La., wide receivers Fabian Johnson of Clarksdale and Reggie Hall of Monroe, La., linebacker Rufus Williams of Mims, Fla., offensive linemen Lester Jackson of Tuscaloosa, Ala. and Alaric Keams of Choctaw.

Matherne, a 5-9, 180-pound freshman, finished the season as one of the state’s top passers, completing 122 of 226 attempts for 1,642 yards and nine touchdowns.  He averaged 182.4 yards per contest.

Matherne is a product of Belle Chase High School, where he received Louisiana’s Mr. Football award. He was also the recipient of All-State and All-District most valuable player awards and was named to the All-Metro team.

Johnson, a 5-10, 180-pound sophomore, had 15 receptions for 246 yards and one score.  His longest reception covered 31 yards.

Johnson is a product of Coahoma County High School, where he was named first team All-District and received the Old Spice Red Zone Player of the Year award.

Hall, a 5-9, 170-pound freshman and product of Neville High School, was credited with 29 catches for 355 yards and one touchdown. His longest reception covered 44 yards.   

Hall was also EC’s top return specialist. He returned six punts for 117 yards, a 19.5-yard average. His longest effort was 72 yards. He also registered 17 kickoff returns for 320 yards, an 18.8-yard average. His longest return covered 44 yards.

Jackson is a 6’, 290-pound sophomore and product of Tuscaloosa Central High School and Keams (6-3, 295) hails from Choctaw Central High School  

The Warriors finished 2-7 overall and 2-4 in the MACJC South Division for the 2010 campaign under first-year head coach Brian Anderson, who served in the position on an interim basis in 2009.