Thursday, August 28, 2003
West Marion’s Collins to suit up in Juan Mariner’s No. 18 in 2003
Pearl River defensive back honored by coaching staff

    POPLARVILLE — Pearl River freshman Sandy Ray Collins of Foxworth has been selected by the Wildcat coaching staff to wear a special jersey during the 2003 season.
    Former Wildcat Juan Mariner’s No. 18 will be worn by Collins in honor of Mariner, who was killed in an automobile accident Sept. 13, 1997.  Collins is the first freshman to receive the  honor.
    Mariner, the son of Charles and Joyce Mariner of Oakvale, was signed by the late Wildcat head coach Keith Daniels as a tight end-linebacker after he graduated from Prentiss High in 1996. He lettered his freshman season at PRCC and started at tight end his sophomore season in 1997.
     Daniels, who died of a brain hemorrhage in October 2000 three games into his sixth season with PRCC, initiated the honor prior to the 1998 season as a tribute to Mariner.
     Current head coach Tim Hatten carries on the tradition.
     “I didn’t know Juan Mariner, but obviously he was a special person and football player that was extremely well liked and respected by the teammates, coaches, and teachers,” Hatten said.
    “Sandy Ray is also that kind of person,” he continued. “He takes care of business in the classroom and on the football field and is very coachable.”
    Hatten said Collins’ selection was based on “leadership skills, excellent attitude, hard work habits, and commitment to the Wildcat team.”
    Mariner died in a one-car accident near Lumberton  just two days after Pearl River’s second game of 1997. Another Wildcat player, linebacker Freddie White of Lumberton, was critically injured in the crash, ending his football career. PRCC student, Jerry Williams of Hattiesburg, also died in the crash.
    Collins is a 2002 graduate of West Marion High School and is the son of Janis Marie Tyson of Foxworth. He was an all-around players for former Trojan head coach Perry Coggins and earned All-Division 8AAA honors.
     Here is a list of the past recipients of the Mariner honor since its inception five seasons ago include:
1998 — Defensive back Derick Rankin of Oak Grove.
1999 — Running back DeShonzo Frankline of Columbia.
2000 — Linebacker Larry Thompson of Bassfield.
2001 — Wide receiver Otho Graves of Bassfield.
2002 — Wide receiver Justin Herring of Pearl River Central.