Noxapater senior Raheem Hathorn has been named 1A Defensive Player of the Year. Four other Tigers also received all state honors after a 12-3 season.
Hathorn starred on both sides of the ball as a running back and linebacker. He carried 193 times for 1,293 yards and 16 touchdowns. As a defender, he had a team high 120 tackles, with 23 for losses and three sacks.
He was joined on first team all state by senior defensive end Ryan Whitfield, senior defensive tackle Kyler Carter, senior offensive guard Sebastian Gunnin and sophomore K.D. Carter, who was chosen as an athlete.
On offense, K.D. Carter carried 211 times for 2,125 yards and 32 touchdowns and completed 20 passes for 236 yards and one TD. As a defensive back, he had 75 tackles, three interceptions and a fumble recovery.
Kyler Carter had 75 tackles, with 20 for losses, and three sacks. Whitfield had 85 tackles, including team highs of 34 for losses and six sacks.
Hathorn was named Region 2-1A Defensive Player of the Year and K.D. Carter as Offensive Player of the Year. They were joined on the all region team by Gunnin, Kyler Carter and defensive lineman Sawyer Roberts. Roberts, a senior, had 72 tackles, with 26 for losses and three sacks.
Noxapater finished second behind state champion Nanih Waiya in 2-1A with a 7-1 record. In the playoffs, the Tigers defeated Myrtle 43-0 and Biggersville 49-26 before losing to Nanih Waiya 21-20 in the North State final.
K.D. Carter ran for 541 yards and seven touchdowns in the three games.
