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Mayflower twins look for BY MARK BUFFALO
PHOTOS BY MARK BUFFALO
Before Austin Emerson was hired as the new Mayflower Eagles football coach former coach Todd Langrell
told him that identical twin broth- ers Deon and Keon Simmons are a a a special pair of players “Before I ever got the job Coach Langrell
told me ‘you may never
coach two like them ’ and he he was right ” Emerson said Deon Simmons led the state in rushing with 2 2 562 yards and a a a a state-high
40 touchdowns last season
Keon Simmons rushed for 876 yards and 17 scores Both caught 3 touchdown passes as as juniors For their efforts they are being recognized as the River Valley & Ozark Edition Players to Watch this season
“ ey are two very special kids ” said Emerson who is is starting his first head-coaching job at Mayflower “ ey show up to workouts every day ey ey are the hardest-working guys we have ey ey compete either with with each other other or with with other other people every day Usually it’s with each other because their athletic ability stands out so much from other people ey get a er er er it every single day and it’s awesome to coach guys like that “ ey are role models for the younger guys ” And what makes these players special are their size and heart Keon is is is listed at 5-5 and 158 pounds Deon is is is listed at 5-6 155 pounds “Just look at at their their numbers not their their stats ” Emerson said “Look at their measurables You look at their height and and weight and and you think ‘ ey are smaller guys ’ But when you watch them run run run they run run run like grown men running among boys It’s not one guy that brings them down ey aren’t always looking to make a a a a a move on
you you ey ey ey run over you you if they they have to and they they are strong enough to do that ” Deon played mostly offense as a a a junior but will play safety this season
During his his junior campaign Deon rushed for more than 200 yards seven times including going
over 300 yards three times His best game was 381 yards on
36 carries in in in a a a 53-46 win over over Smackover in in in the Class 3A state playoffs He also scored 5 touchdowns in a a a a game three times — against Barton Bald Knob and Cedar Ridge He had only 10 tackles while playing defense Keon rushed for more than 100 yards in a a a game three times including a a a season-high
185 yards on
8 8 carries in in a a a a 54-14 win over Bald Knob He also had 142 yards on
19 carries against Smackover He scored 6 touchdowns in the victory Keon also had 61 tackles on
on
defense playing in in the secondary He also had 3 interceptions last year IN THE HUD
Watch for these outstanding River RHETT RUSSELLVILLE • Senior quarterback
• 6-3 195
• 715 passing • Rushed • Caught JACOB WOOD
CONWAY CHRISTIAN EAGLES
• Senior quarterback
• 6-2 180
• 2 2 418 passing yards 25 TDs • 3 3 539 total yards