By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

A historic trio of finalists, including Edgard native and former West St. John quarterback Juan Joseph, have been selected by media voters for the 2008 Cellular South Conerly Trophy, Mississippi’s most prestigious individual football honor.

The trio includes the first offensive lineman and the first Division III finalist in the award’s 13-year history along with only the third defensive lineman to be named a finalist.

Fifty-seven media voters representing radio, television and print outlets throughout Mississippi determine the finalists and the eventual recipient of the Cellular South Conerly Trophy in two rounds of voting.

The finalists are, with their statistics:

JUAN JOSEPH: Millsaps; Senior QB Edgard, LA; three-time SCAC Offensive Player of the Year; 9-time SCAC Offensive Player of the Week; nationally ranked in several NCAA Division III categories including total offense (6th; 320 yards/game) and points per game (9th; 19/game); averaged more than 24 completions per game while completing 67% of his passes with 31 TD’s; intercepted only 6 times in 403 attempts.

PERIA JERRY: Ole Miss; Senior DL; Batesville, MS ; four-year letterman; pre-season All-SEC; three-time SEC defensive lineman of the week; leads team in tackles for loss (13; #2 SEC), 4 sacks and tied for fourth in SEC in forced fumbles despite undergoing knee surgery in August; was on Nagurski and Outland Trophy watch lists.

MICHAEL OHER: Ole Miss; Senior OL Memphis, TN; pre-season All-American and All-SEC who is one of three finalists for the Outland Trophy which is awarded annually to the country’s top interior lineman; started 45 consecutive games as keystone of offensive line that is third in the SEC in total offense and rushing offense while allowing 13 sacks through 11 games; two-time SEC offensive lineman of the week.