NATCHEZ — The MPSA District 3-AA champion Trinity Saints added some bragging rights when 12 players were added to the All-District football team.

Offensive linemen Larry Calcote, Bryant Pearson and Deacon Newman, receivers Wells Middleton and Kent King, defensive back Brandon Daggs and quarterback Givonni Dent were named to the district’s first team.

Kicker Chas Moroney, defensive back Jackson Bryant, linebacker Jordan Dossett and tackle Matthew Rymer were added to the second team.

Running back R.J. Fleming was named the District 3-AA Offensive Most Valuable Player for his 143 carries for 1,194 yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging 8.35 yards per carry. The junior also caught 11 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns despite being injured in the later part of the season.

“He’s got the talent to play at the next level,” said Trinity coach David King. “He was just such a dangerous player on the field with his speed and his quickness. He’s a threat to score every time.”

MPSA South All-Star selection Calcote — who King said has received offers from colleges — recorded 54 tackles and two fumble recoveries, adding two blocked kicks. MPSA selection Pearson added 51 tackles and a fumble recovery.

Middleton caught 28 catches for 626 yards and five scores — 22.36 yards per catch — and carried 23 times for 196 yards and three touchdowns.

Middleton, a senior, will continue his career at Delta State University next year.

“I think the leadership of Wells Middleton was a big portion of our season’s success,” King said. “Our play was really hinged on his success and his all-out effort.”

The Saints went 11-2 this season and were undefeated in district play. They lost to Oak Forest in the second round of the postseason.

“A lot of our fans expect us to be outstanding every night, but I think this was certainly a successful season,” King said. “We just caught a bad break at the end with three kids that couldn’t quite make it out there (because of injuries). It certainly ended up hurting our chances.”

Cathedral had no postseason hopes this season, but that didn’t stop the Green Wave from adding 10 players to the MHSAA 1A All-Region 4 team.

Seniors fullback JEB White, quarterback Preston Edwards, receivers Daniel Jenkins and Kole Junkin, linebacker Zac Arnold and tackle Stowers Mohon all made the Region 4 first team.

“JEB had a good year for us both offensive and defensively,” said Cathedral coach Craig Beesley. “He led the team in rushing and touchdowns, and Preston did a good job for us not only at quarterback but also at linebacker.”

White led the team despite a nagging knee injury — he never missed a game — and recorded 613 yards on 137 carries and 10 touchdowns. He added nine catches for 82 yards and two scores.

Edwards, a two-year starter under center, was 101-for-214 for 1,365 yards and two scores. He scored five touchdowns on 67 carries for 251 yards.

Seniors kicker Harrison Burns, center William Wilson and tackle Josh Gamberi were named to the second team, along with freshman receiver Daniel Huffines.

“We’re going to need him to step up and be a leader for this next year,” Beesley said of Huffines. “We graduate a lot of starters — eight on offense and nine on defense, and they’re going to have a lot of competition next year to get starting positions.”

Most of the Green Wave players saw time on both offense and defense, and Beesley said his seniors provided leadership on both sides of the ball.

Stowers Mohon recorded 89 total tackles, with four sacks and nine tackles for loss, and Arnold had 44 tackles, two blocked punts and an interception.

He returned the interception and one of the punts back for 6 points.

Despite going 5-5 this season and missing the playoffs, Beesley said Cathedral is still getting noticed.

“That’s good for the kids to get a little recognition and see we’re sill maintaining our reputation around the region,” Beesley said. “We just had a tough stretch in the middle of the year.”