BOONEVILLE, Miss. - The Northeast Mississippi Community College football team raked in the awards while its counterparts around the state idly observed their bye date.
The freshmen trio of Freddy Lopez, Makyi Reed-Jones and JD Washington gave the Tigers a sweep of the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACCC) Player of the Week honors.
In addition, Lopez was recognized as the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division I Special Teams Player of the Week after connecting on two more lengthy field goals at Mississippi Delta Community College.
"It's a blessing to receive an award like that," said Lopez. "I really developed my strength through soccer. I've known how to kick a ball my whole life and known how strong my leg is."
Lopez got the Tigers on the board less than two minutes into the second quarter with a career-long 43-yarder. It concluded Northeast's lengthiest scoring drive of the contest of nine plays and, ironically, 43 yards.
The Ripley native extended the Tigers' advantage to 13-7 early in the third on a 37-yard field goal. Antonio Kennedy set up the score with a 25-yard run that got Northeast into the red zone.
Lopez remained perfect on extra points with two more makes. He is the first Tiger to earn national player of the week since current University of Missouri starting linebacker Triston Newson did so in October 2022.
"Offensively, we didn't really finish things out and had some miscues so Freddy had to come on and work his magic," said Northeast head coach Greg Davis. "He went out there and did a great job."
Reed-Jones recorded the first 100-plus yard receiving performance by any Tiger this year. He had 101 total yards on five catches for an average of just over 20 yards per reception.
The Lafayette High School graduate produced a pair of explosive plays in the opening period. His first catch of the game was a 30-yard dart from Caden Greer that moved the ball from one 35-yard line to the other.
Reed-Jones then hauled in a 50-yard strike from Greer on Northeast's next possession that eventually led to Lopez's first field goal. He is one of four Tigers with double-digit receptions through five outings.
"Overall, he had a wonderful night. We needed that," Davis said. "This is really good for him. When he gets that confidence about him, he just goes out and plays well. I'm really proud of him and the way his effort has been."
Washington made a difference for Northeast both defensively and on special teams. He blocked a field goal and returned it 67 yards for a touchdown on the final play of the first half to give the Tigers their inaugural lead against the Trojans at 10-7.
The Center Hill High School alumnus forced a fumble and recovered it as Mississippi Delta marched deep into Northeast territory in the fourth. He registered a season-best six tackles, including five solo stops.
Washington also had a leaping interception that was negated by a penalty on the Tigers. He added a pass break up during his initial collegiate start at cornerback.
"The thing about JD is he's getting better with experience as time goes on," said Davis. "He's becoming more-and-more accustomed to the game at our level. He's coming into his own."