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PREP FOOTBALL: Newton defense gets noticed on All-Region team
NHS All
Newton’s Tahjae Mulix (24) races to the end zone after scooping up a Brookwood fumble as Olan Robinson (8) trails. - photo by Covington News/File Photo

COVINGTON, Ga. — Going into 2021, the Newton Rams named their defensive unit the “Blue Swarm.” Throughout the season, it was that unit that seemed to keep the Rams in most of their games. 

It took major contributions from each level of the defense to accomplish this. 

Multiple players made their presence known all season and, thus, earned All-Region honors from coaches in Region 4-AAAAAAA. 

In total, Newton had 12 players recognized, seven of which came from defense. 

On the first team, Nolan McCamy, Derrick Von Hubbard, Tahjae Mullix and Audavion Collins each made an appearance. 

McCamy, as the team’s leading tackler, recorded 65 tackles, nine tackles for loss, two sacks and one interception from his linebacker position. On the defensive line, Von Hubbard had 54 tackles, four of which were tackles for loss as well as seven sacks. Fellow defensive lineman, Mullix, tallied 48 tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks and had a scoop score in 2021, too. 

Defensive back Collins tallied 29 tackles and collected one interception. 

Second team defenders were Olan Robinson, Elijah Zollicofer and Montarrius Reed. 

As a linebacker, Robinson had 48 tackles, eight tackles for loss and one sack. Zollicofer recorded 40 tackles, four tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. From his defensive back position, Reed had 25 tackles and three tackles for loss. 

Even though seven of the team’s 12 All-Region honorees came from defense, the Rams’ offense had five people recognized. 

Marcus Calwise and Oro Avery earned spots on the first team. 

Calwise had 332 yards receiving while averaging 12.8 yards per reception and collected three touchdown receptions. Avery was recognized as an offensive lineman. 

Quarterback Jevarra Martin Jr., and running back Rontravious Perry’s contributions made the region coaches take notice of their 2021 seasons. 

Completing 52% of his passes, Martin threw for 776 yards and eight touchdowns. On the ground, Martin 443 rushing yards and added another touchdown score to his resume. 

Perry tallied 518 rushing yards while averaging 6.2 yards per carry and crossed the goal line five times. That also includes two games when Perry had over 100 yards rushing.