Four Wolves Named to All-Region 23 Team

WESSON – The NJCAA All-Region 23 Team was recently announced on Tuesday, December 4 and the Co-Lin Football team saw four members receive spots. Running back Johnnie Daniels, defensive lineman Billy Pullen, defensive back Navarion Benson, and wide receiver Jaylen Smith all earned spots on the All-Region 23 team.

Johnnie Daniels had a spectacular sophomore season that saw him finish with 1,253 yards on 183 carries for an average of 104.4 yards per game with 15 touchdowns while averaging 6.8 yards per carry and had a longest rush of 88 yards, which led the MACCC in all the mentioned statistical categories. The Crystal Springs native led the NJCAA in touchdowns and was second in yards, yards per game, and longest rush, third in carries, and fifth in yards per carry. Daniels scored four rushing touchdowns in a single game twice this season and was named MACCC South Offensive Player of the Year while gaining MACCC All-South First Team honors.

Billy Pullen made the most of his only season with the Wolves turning in one of the best single seasons in program history. Pullen had 58 tackles averaging 4.8 per game with 17.5 tackles for loss including 13 sacks while also adding four forced fumbles, one interception, and two pass breakups to his season. The Kaufman, Texas native led the MACCC in sacks and shared the conference lead in tackles for loss and forced fumbles and was second in the NJCAA in sacks, tied for fifth in tackles for loss, and tied for the lead in forced fumbles. Pullen was named MACCC Defensive Player of the Week four times throughout the season and was also named the MACCC South Defensive Player of the Year while gaining MACCC All-South First Team honors.

Navarion Benson was an anchor for the Wolves secondary in his sophomore season. The Crystal Springs native finished the season with 41 total tackles for an average of 3.4 per game while adding two interceptions, four pass breakups, and four blocks on special teams. Benson also earned MACCC All-South First Team honors.

Jaylen Smith was the leader for the Wolves receiving corps while also playing a factor in the return game all season. The Jacksonville, Florida native led the team in receiving yards with 507, yards per game at 42.3 and touchdowns with four while sharing the team lead in receptions at 39. Smith was sixth in the MACCC in receiving yards and seventh in receptions. Smith earned two spots on the MACCC All-South Teams taking first team receiver honors and honorable mention honors as a returner.

The 2023 Co-Lin Football team had a season for the record books finishing 10-2 overall, 5-1 in MACCC South Division play, hitting the 10-win mark for just the second time in program history. The Wolves started the season off winning their first two games of the season including an upset of then No. 8 East Mississippi for head coach Glenn Davis' 100th career win at Co-Lin. The Wolves then picked up their first loss of the season on the road at Jones and then rattled off seven straight wins including a road upset of then No. 4 Mississippi Gulf Coast and a win over then No. 10 Northwest Mississippi in the MACCC Semifinals before falling to then No. 6 East Mississippi in the MACCC Championship game. The Wolves capped off the season with a win over No. 10 Navarro in the Heart of Texas Bowl on Saturday, December 2.