By CURTIS ROCKWELL

Item Sports Editor

JACKSON — A pair of Picayune standouts were honored with selection to te Class 4A first team All-State team that was picked over the weekend.

Jonathan Billups, a two way lineman, is a repeat first team selection from last year while Reggie Bailey, who may have been the Tide’s best all around player, was elevated to the first team after being a second team pick last year.

Also, Picayune’s T’Daryl Grays, a running back and cornerback, was named to the second team.

“All three are very deserving of the honor,” Picayune’s Dodd Lee said. “Each was a three year starter and made some very big contributions to our program.”

The Maroon Tide finished the season 9-3, losing to Wayne County in the second round of the Class 4A South State playoffs.

The trio of Maroon Tide standouts were also part of one of the most successful Picayune senior classes ever on the gridiron, winning 30 games in three seasons.

The selection to the prestigios team marked the beginning of a big week for Billups.

He is also a member of the state team for the Alabama /Mississippi All Star Football Classic that takes place on Saturday in historic Ladd-Peebels Stadium in Mobile, Ala.

Billups will report to that port city this week to practice with his Mississippi teammates in preparation for Saturday’s game, which kicks off at 1 p.m.