The Top 10 Players from Tatum since 2000

In preparation for the Top 100 Lobos since 2000, I want to look at some of the best from some of our rivals and neighbors. This week let's take a look at the best 10 Tatum Eagles over the past 20 years. 
                                                    10. Teo Freeney

Years: 2005College: TJC
A First Team All-State, East-Texas, All-District selection in 2005, Teo Freeney was a 6' rangy corner. He partnered with Lufkin's Leonard Hewitt as the best two corners in East Texas in 2005. At TJC, Freeney made all conference his first year at campus. He will always be remembered by the 2005 Lobos as the corner that got away.

9. Chance Blackmon

Years: 2005-07

College: Colorado/Houston

Blackmon was Tatum's best wide receiver during the state championship runs and was the beneficiary of playing with outstanding talent around him. In 2005, Chance's sophomore year, he posted 22 catches for 450 yards and four touchdowns. 2006, junior year, he caught 27 passes for 785 yards and 9 touchdowns before breaking off 32 catches for 830 yards and 12 touchdowns his senior year. For a career the Eagle finished with 81 catches for 2,065 yards and 25 touchdowns.

                                        8. BJ Allen

Years: 2008-10

College: Baylor

In his 3 year run, B.J. Allen was a blur on the field for the Eagles. As a sophomore, Allen started for the Eagles at running back and was the named the District's Newcomer of the Year. As a junior, Allen rushed for 1,700 yards with 22 touchdowns including a huge 286 yard game against Gilmer, winning 47-41. As a senior he was named 2nd Team All-State after rushing for 1,355 yards and 15 touchdowns while also catching 2 interceptions on defense. 

                                     7. Denarius Moore

                                                     

Years: 2005-06

College: Tennessee

Blazing speed was displayed all over the place for Moore in his career. He was an All-East Texas wide receiver and cornerback throughout his career. His numbers aren't as impressive as other on this list, but that's because Moore is a victim of playing with such great talent. Moore caught 27 passes for 423 yards as a junior for 8 touchdowns, and rushed 22 times for 287 yards and 2 touchdowns. As a senior Moore came back with 32 catches for 501 yards and carried the ball 27 times for 200 yards. 

Moore went on to Tennessee and did great things. For a career Moore caught 112 passes for 2,004 yards and 18 touchdowns. Moore was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in 2011 and in his 4 year career there he caught 142 passes for 2,169 yards and 17 touchdowns.

                                   6. Jalen Overstreet

Years: 2009-11

College: Texas/Sam Houston State

Overstreet led the Eagles for 3 seasons and during that span he went 31-9 as a starting quarterback. As a sophomore Overstreet started the year as a receiver before switching to QB. He was named 2nd Team All-District and the Newcomer of the Year. As a junior he passed for over 1900 yards and 28 touchdowns to 4 interceptions while also rushing for over 700 yards and 16 touchdowns on 60 carries. As a senior Street threw for 1,471 yards and 13 touchdowns, while rushing for an oustanding 1,190 yards and 23 touchdowns en route to the state semifinals. 

Overstreet went to Texas initially, saw little playing time before he moved on to Sam Houston State. At Sam he played running back and in his 2 seasons he rushed for 1,550 yards and 14 touchdowns. 

                                      5. Daylon McCoy

                                   

Years: 2003-2005
College: ULL

McCoy had a prolific career at Tatum. A 3 year starter, McCoy was named All-State twice and All-East Texas twice. His senior year, McCoy was named Texas 3a Defensive Player of the Year. He had 150 tackles and 2 interceptions that he housed as a senior. He was a key part of a defense that won a State Championship at Tatum. 

He went on to ULL where was productive. He arrived there as a safety and started at strong safety in one game. He ranked 10th in tackles as a freshman. His sophomore and junior years McCoy was back in the box at linebacker. He started 6 games as a sophomore and as a junior started the first 9 games of the year before going down with a knee injury. He had a big senior year for ULL, starting 12 games and racking 68 tackles, 1 FF and 1 FR.

4. Cashas Pollard

Year: 2005-07

College: Northwestern State

At 5'10 180, 2 star athlete Cashas Pollard has one of the best starting records in Texas Football History. 43-4 as a starter who threw for 5,439 yards and 61 touchdowns in his career. As a sophomore he quarterbacked the Eagles to a State Championship, he repeated as a junior, and was beat in the state game as a Senior. Cashas was named 3rd Team All-State in 2007. A two way player, Cash was a standout on defense for the Eagles too, Pollard had 10 interceptions in his career. Pollard shared with special teammates. In the backfield with University of Tennessee signee Lennon Creer and throwing to former Oakland Raider, Denarius Moore. 

3. Bryce Beall

Years: 2005-07

College: Houston

Splitting time with Lennon Creer, Bryce Beall managed to be All State at running back and linebacker in his career. He was the District MVP his junior year as well as being named First Team All State at linebacker. His senior year he was First Team All State at running back. While his high school stats aren't available, Beall's numbers in college should prove his worth. As a freshman, Beall rushed 198 times for 1,247 yards and 13 touchdowns. That would be his best season but for a career Beall rushed 553 times for 3,098 yards and 39 touchdowns while catching 87 passes for 1,004 yards and 7 touchdowns. 

2. Stephen Hodge

Years: 2003-04

College: TCU

Before becoming a top flight safety at TCU, Hodge was an All-East Texas quarterback for the Tatum Eagles. In 2002 Hodge was the District MVP passing for over 1,600 yards and rushing over 2,000 yards combining for 45 touchdowns earning first team All-East Texas Quarterback. As a senior, Hodge passed for 1,471 yards and ran for 1,561 and 39 touchdowns, giving him a career total of 84 touchdowns in 2 seasons. Hodge went on to start at TCU and was even drafted by the Dallas Cowboys at the end of his collegiate career. 

1. Lennon Creer

Years: 2004-06

College: Tennessee/La. Tech

A PrepStar All American and multiple Player of the Years, Creer is the king of running backs of Tatum. As a sophomore, Creer came out his sophomore year in 2004, rushing for 1,263 yards and 8 touchdowns. The next year Creer established his dominance, rushing for 2,106 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior. His senior year, Creer totaled 2,835 rushing yards for 36 touchdowns. For a career, Creer rushed for 6,204 yards for a total of 60 touchdowns. He moved on to Tennessee where he rushed for 602 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2 seasons before transferring to LA. Tech. At Tech, Creer rushed for 1,181 and 10 touchdowns in his first season and another 838 yards and as a senior.