Gosnell's Mullins and Moody headline All-CN team

The 2013 football season was filled with headlines both on and off the field. Blytheville struggled with head coach Vince McCrosky not on the sidelines for any regular season contests and, eventually, he stepped down midway through the year as he battled Parkinson's Disease. Gosnell ran off nine wins in a row on its way to a league title. In the south end of the county, Rivercrest made a run at another conference title, Osceola had an up-and-down year and out west, Manila still struggled in their fifth season of varsity football.

Gosnell's return to the top of the 3-4A grabbed headlines as the Pirates recorded a banner year. A big reason for the Pirates' success was senior running back Marcus Mullins, who is this year's All-Courier News Player of the Year and, of course, second-year head coach Gary Moody, who is the All-Courier News Coach of the Year.

After having a break-out season in 2012, Mullins was in top form in 2013. The senior running back rushed for over 1,750 yards and crossed the goal line a whopping 26 times. Along the way, Mullins set the Gosnell single-game rushing record with 393 against Jonesboro Westside. He also scored five touchdowns in the game. He earned All-conference and All-state honors for his efforts.

Gosnell head coach Gary Moody

In just his second season as head coach, Gary Moody looks like he's found a home in northeast Arkansas as he led the Pirates to their first conference title since 2010 and their first undefeated league record since 2002. The Pirates finished 9-2 this season and 7-0 in league play. Moody has helped transition the Pirates into a spread offense team while maintaining a top-notch running attack. On defense, the Pirates had a 10-point turn around as they gave up just eight points a game a year after averaging 18 points a game.

Here's the rest of this year's All-Courier News football team:

Jonathon Banks, Blytheville--Banks was one of the most versatile players on the team. The athletic junior was effective at wide receiver, in the secondary, and he was also a punter. He earned all-conference honors for the second straight season.

Tony Garth, Blytheville--Garth was called upon to play both sides of the ball. The talented junior opened holes on the offensive line and filled them on the defensive side and earned all-conference honors for his efforts.

Everett Jenkins, Blytheville--Another talented junior all-conference selection on the Chickasaw front line, Jenkins was strong force on the offensive line and a consistent pass rusher on defense.

Jordan Jackson, Blytheville--One of many talented sophomores on the Chickasaw squad, Jackson picked up much of the running load late in the year for the injury plagued Chicks and earned all-conference honors for his efforts.

Malik Walker, Blytheville--A leader on the field and off, Walker was a one of the leading tacklers as a linebacker and a consistent option out of the backfield. Walker earned all-conference and all-state honors for his efforts.

Chase Turner, Blytheville--One of two sophomores who earned an all-conference selection for the Chickasaws, Turner picked up playing time in the linebacking core midway through the season and made the most of it.

Tevin James, Osceola--James rushed for nearly 1,000 yards for the Seminoles. He led the team with three interceptions and racked up 70-plus tackles. He earned all-conference and all-state for his efforts.

Deshawn Fowler, Osceola--A three-year starter on the offensive and defensive lines, the talented senior picked up 30 tackles on defense and was rewarded with all-conference honors.

Harold Weedon, Osceola--Weedon was a transfer from Kennett, Mo. He threw for over 1,500 yards and 14 touchdowns to earn all-conference honors for the Seminoles.

Clifton Boone, Rivercrest--Boone recorded 97 tackles, recovered two fumbles, returning one for a touchdown, and had four and a half sacks on his way to an all-conference season for the Colts.

Cecil Langston, Rivercrest--This versatile Colt led the team with 1,000 all-purpose yards, including 843 rushing yards. He scored 10 touchdowns out of the backfield and racked up 43 tackles and a fumble recovery on defense on his way to an all-conference season.

Jerry Henry, Gosnell--One of a talented core of seniors for Coach Moody's team, Henry recovered from a season-ending knee injury in 2012 and had a monster year in 2013. He was a lead blocker for Gosnell's high-powered offense, an effective pass rusher on defense and even caught a few passes. He earned all-conference honors for his efforts.

Colton Godsey, Gosnell--A three-year starter and a staple in the Pirate secondary, Godsey had two key interceptions against Valley View in their battle for the league title. His late catch against Highland helped preserve the Pirates undefeated league record on his way to an all-conference selection.

Ricky Gable, Gosnell--Gable had sure hands on offense and was a tough defender as a cornerback. He also provided solid place-kicking for Gosnell. A three-year starter for the Pirates, he earned all-conference honors for his efforts.

Ethan Ballard, Gosnell--Another three-year starter and all-conference selection on the Pirate squad, Ballard was a leader on defense and a solid guard on offense. He filled up holes in the linebacking core as the Pirates only gave up eight points a game.

Javeon Lee, Gosnell--This senior defensive end had a break out season in 2013. Lee earned all-conference honors as he upgraded the Pirates pass rush this season and rush defense.

Dwight Griffin, Gosnell--In his second year as starting quarterback for the Pirates, Griffin established himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the league as well as a solid safety on defense. He earned all-conference honors as a duel threat combing for over 1,300 yards rushing and passing.

Michael Miller, Gosnell--Miller established himself as a top linebacker in his junior year earning all-conference honors along the way.

Justin Mann, Gosnell--A second-year starter for the Pirates, Mann helped open up holes for the Pirate running attack and defended Gosnell's pass attack as well. He earned all-conference honors for his efforts.

afitzpatrick@blythevillecourier.com