For faithful Miss-Lou football fans, today we threw our own personal signature on the revival of an annual tradition.

In the past, you might have recognized the yearly prep football all star squad by the name All-Metro Team. Well, consider that moniker a thing of the past.

Let’s be real about this for a moment, shall we? Although The Natchez Democrat coverage area stretches north to the edge of Port Gibson, south to Centreville, east to Meadville and west to Jonesville, La., I have a hard time calling any of it “metro.”

Folks, it’s the rural south and there’s certainly nothing wrong with that. Look for the new phrase on postseason teams from here on out.

So, after a year away, for whatever reason, The Democrat is proud to bring back and unveil this year’s All-Area football team.

We spent many hours compiling and sifting through nominations from the football coaches of every school considered in our reach and player statistics, and we think this edition is a team every reader can be proud of.

Heck, I’d put this bunch up against anybody’s squad, and be quite confident they’d come out on top.

As with any year-end award team, there are plenty of great players who may not make it but feel they deserve to, but unfortunately, we have to draw the line somewhere.

I will say the toughest part of the decision-making process came at the quarterback position. There wasn’t a whole lot of difference between the top three guys, who undoubtedly, should enjoy plenty of success at the next level, but when it came right down to it, it’s just like the Heisman trophy. As a writer, you will always lean more toward who you see the most. Don’t let any of us tell you any different.

Is that fair? I certainly hope so, because if anything, we can walk away from the proverbial drawing board knowing above all else, that’s we shot for.

This team gives you, the sports fan, an excellent mix of the best players to take a snap in this region this past year.

And yes, football is a team sport, so if you look at this squad and think it weighted toward the teams who had more successful seasons, well, you may be on to something. But, there are also teams, who overall didn’t fare as well, but are represented.

Special thanks go out to part-time sports staffer

Patrick Jones

, who is very wise when it comes to area teams. Jones did a great deal of legwork in helping pull all of this together.

I’d also like to thank staff photographers

Ben Hillyer

and

Erin Webster

for all the hard work they did in the preseason weeks before I came on board in getting pictures.

Thanks to those players who took time out of their busy schedules to come up to the office to get last minute shots taken. Due to computer problems, some of the fellows had to take a second pic.

And lastly, thanks to every football player who strapped on the pads this year, whether your team went 0-for-season, or grabbed the brass ring, you all provided a plethora of memorable and downright thrilling moments we’ll never forget.

Richard Dark is a sportswriter for The Natchez Democrat. &160;

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