Published: 11:13 PM, Fri Aug 03, 2012
Five Douglas Byrd football players to watch
A look at Eagles football players likely to make an impact this season.
Breon Davis
Position: Quarterback
Height/weight: 5-9, 195
Class: Senior
About Davis: One of the county's most productive offensive players in 2011, Davis rushed 111 times for 718 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also completed 98 of 200 passes for 1,616 yards and 17 more scores. Coach Russell Stone says Davis should be even better in 2012 and he'll see action on defense as well.
T.J. Collier
Position: Offensive tackle
Height/weight: 6-3, 290
Class: Senior
About Collier: Collier made 30 tackles as a backup at nose guard on defense last season. But he moved to offense during the offseason and has helped solidify Douglas Byrd's blocking corps by settling in at right tackle. "He gives us a power guy up front to block people on the edge,'' coach Russell Stone said.
Byron Cousin
Position: Defensive tackle-linebacker
Height/weight: 6-0, 205
Class: Senior
About Cousin: One of the most intense competitors in Cumberland County, Cousin earned first-team All-Cape Fear Valley 3-A Conference honors as a junior after making 116 tackles. "He has the most unbelievable motor of any player I've coached in 33 years,'' Stone said. "I've never seen anybody who can play as long and as hard as he does.''
Kevin McCoy
Position: Linebacker
Height/weight: 6-3, 210
Class: Senior
About McCoy: In just his second season of organized football, McCoy rang up 82 tackles and 10 quarterback sacks in 2011 playing end opposite All-Cape Fear region pick Chris Jones. He'll move to outside linebacker this season, which is where he's likely to play in college. McCoy accepted an offer in early July to play for the U.S. Naval Academy.
Tijuan Shackleford
Position: Safety
Height/weight: 5-8,177
Class: Senior
About Shackleford: Shackleford made the All-Cape Fear Valley 3-A Conference second team as a junior when he placed fifth in county tackles with 146. He made most of those plays at linebacker, but is expected to make the transition to safety this season.