The votes are in and The Columbian-Progress’ four football awards have been decided. West Marion’s Jartavious “Tater Rabbit” Martin has been selected as the county’s Most Valuable Player; Columbia’s Omar Johnson is the Offensive Player of the Year; West Marion linebacker Octavious Harvey won Defensive Player of the Year; and Trojans sophomore Jakaden Mark made his mark as Newcomer of the Year.
Martin said it means a lot to him knowing that the community is behind him and recognizes all the hard work he’s put in.
“It’s just all paying off,” he said. “What happens in the dark comes to the light. I’m just thankful overall.”
The senior, who recently committed to play at Pearl River Community College next season, is no stranger to receiving hardware for his prowess on the gridiron. As a sophomore he earned The Columbian-Progress Newcomer of the Year award, and he was also chosen as Marion County MVP by the Marion County Football Championship Committee, an award voted on by the county’s four head coaches, Paul Pounds, Hilton Holmes and C-P reporter Joshua Campbell.
Going into the season, Martin said he didn’t expect to receive both MVP awards.
“We have a real talented county. I’ve seen a few awards here and there, but what I achieved this year I really didn’t see it coming,” he said. “But I worked for it, for all of it. That’s all I can continue to do is just work and be thankful.”
Martin had 114 carries for 944 yards (8.3 yards per carry) for eight touchdowns and caught five passes for 32 yards and three scores. He also racked up 73 tackles, six tackles for loss, two interceptions, two passes defended, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, a sack and a defensive touchdown.
After rushing for 2,521 yards and 27 touchdowns combined between his freshman and sophomore years as the 1B running back to Kentrel Bullock’s 1A, Omar Johnson didn’t disappoint being the unquestioned bell cow for the Wildcats in 2020, leading to his selection as Offensive Player of the Year. The junior rushed for 1,164 yards and 11 touchdowns on 185 carries (6.3 yards per carry) — leading the county in all three categories — to go along with 85 receiving yards and two more scores.
Johnson, who holds a scholarship offer from Mississippi State, said he is really excited and happy to be named the county’s top offensive threat but that he didn’t expect to win the award.
“I don’t really think about things like that. I just try to think about how I can become the best every day,” he said. “I just want to be the best player I can be.”
The electric and powerful running back thanked his offensive line and said if it wasn’t for them he wouldn’t be in this position. He also thanked God.
With one more season left and 3,685 rushing yards already under his belt, Johnson said he wants to run for 2,000 yards as a senior.
Harvey said it means a lot to him to be recognized as the county’s top defensive player. When the junior found out he was nominated, Harvey didn’t think he would win the award initially because he was nominated alongside a trio of really good players — Columbia’s Greg Fortenberry and Jaheim Oatis and East Marion’s Carlos Stubbs — but he said he started thinking about how well he played to finish the season and expected to claim the hardware.
At just 5-foot-6 and 165 pounds, Harvey doesn’t come anywhere close to fitting the typical mold of a linebacker. But as his head coach, Brad Duncan, likes to say, Harvey plays like a man possessed on the gridiron and doesn’t let his size hinder him in any way.
“I think like a dog,” he said. “I just want to play football. I don’t care what size or how big other people are, I just play as hard as I can for as long as I can.”
Harvey was the primary reason the Trojans were able to hold Columbia’s powerful offense scoreless for four quarters in West Marion’s 7-6 overtime win over the Wildcats Oct. 16. He flew all over the field and made several clutch plays on third down to force punts, finishing with 12 tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks. For the season, he compiled 87 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, seven sacks, three hurries and a blocked field goal.
After registering just 30 yards and no touchdowns on 14 carries as a freshman last season, Mark exemplified the moniker of “Newcomer of the Year,” as he burst onto the scene as part of West Marion’s four-headed backfield to tie for the county lead with 11 rushing touchdowns. Despite carrying the rock just 69 times this season, he finished fourth in Marion County with 496 yards (7.2 yards per carry) and found the end zone once every six carries, which is by far the best rate in Marion County.
“It’s a true blessing,” Mark said of being recognized by the county’s fans. “Hard work pays off.”
Since he was nominated, Mark said it was great to see how many people supported him, from the fans to his coaches, teammates and teachers.
With being the Trojans’ third back behind Martin and Harvey, Mark said when he got in the game he had the mentality that he had to score and couldn’t go down, leading to his elite touchdown rate. He also credited West Marion’s offensive line for opening up big holes for him all season.
With two more years left with the Trojans, Mark said he wants to win a state championship and earn a Division I scholarship. n
