By Rupert Howell

North Panola School Superintendent Cedric Richardson and his trustee board rallied around NPHS student athlete Justin Connor Tuesday night and honored him with a framed  Certificate of Achievement for being recognized by the Clarion-Ledger newspaper as being one of the top 12 football players in the state by being named to their Dandy Dozen.

NP Athletic Director Carl Diffee who also serves as assistant football coach said Connor was, “A great person, student and athlete. He is one of three (seniors) who started with us in the eighth grade and hasn’t missed a workout in four years.”

Connor is also one of several student athletes featured in The Panolian’s Pigskin Preview 2015, a 75-page glossy magazine that highlights local high school football teams, their players, leaders and schedules.

Those magazines were mailed to print subscribers and are available free at The Panolian and other locations throughout the county.

Connor, who is considered an ‘athlete’ in football jargon says, “I can play any position the coaches want me to play,” displaying the attitude that coaches love. 

Last year he played running  back and safety.

An Ole Miss commit since his sophomore year, he said he just wants to win and nothing else matters.

He is the son of Temeka Connor and Chris Connor Sr.