by Chris Johnson

Exponent Telegram

 

BUCKHANNON — With his school’s single-season interception record tied heading into Buckhannon-Upshur’s regular-season finale against arch-rival Elkins, the odds were against Marcus Lofton in his quest to set a new mark.

 

The Tigers run a single-wing offense, seldom putting the ball in the air. Against B-U, Elkins threw the ball a grand total of six times. Lofton, a junior, picked off two of those passes. He then added one more interception in a playoff game — the Buccaneers’ first since 2005 — against Martinsburg bringing his season total to 11. 

 

Eleven interceptions ... it is a number that jumps off the page and the driving force behind Lofton being selected by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association as the first-ever Carl Lee Defensive Back of the Year.

 

“Just knowing how many great players are out there in this state, how many options the Sports Writers Association had and knowing they chose me, it’s very humbling,” Lofton said. “There are no words to describe how grateful I am to receive this honor.”

 

Lofton’s interception total may be the highest for one season in the history of the state. Defensive stats have only been kept with some sort of regularity state wide since the early to mid 90s. In 2006, Martinsburg’s Xavier Peters had 10 en route to winning that year’s Huff Award. Nobody seems to be able to recall any other player reaching double-digits in interceptions.

 

As impressive as his knack for picking off a pass became in 2014, it just touches the surface as to what kind of player Lofton has emerged as.

 

Primarily a cornerback, although he did play some free safety when a teammate was injured, Lofton also had 46 tackles, forced three fumbles, recovered two fumbles and returned two of picks for touchdowns. On offense, he averaged more than 12 yards per rush attempt, was B-U’s top receiver and accounted for seven more touchdowns.

 

“Marcus is a big-play player,” B-U coach Duane Stoeckle said. “No matter what side of the ball he is on. You look at his number of interceptions and the impressive thing was it never stopped with just the interception. He’s such a student of the game too. Marcus is constantly watching film looking for ways to improve, looking at things the receivers he is going to cover do. He’s like a sponge.

 

“As great a season as he had, Marcus is a team-first guy. He’s an unselfish player, he’s very coachable and he’s an even better person. I’m thrilled for him that he is receiving this honor.”

 

Of his 11 picks, Lofton. who is also one of the premier track and field athletes in the state, says the one that stands out the most is the one where he tied Jamie Green’s school record of eight against Preston.

 

“I’m pretty sure the ball was intended for (Josiah) Nuse, Lofton said. “He went up, I went up and my teammate Brandon Mallett went up at the same time. Nuse ended up on the ground, Brandon did too until he made sure I had the ball and I just took off. I was running down the sideline, heading to the end zone (he returned it 68 yards for a touchdown) and everybody was just going nuts because they knew that tied the record. I will never forget that moment.

 

“Then to get two more the next week against Elkins and talk to Jamie, who I have gotten to know real well this year. He told me he was a little disappointed that he didn’t have the record any more but he was glad it was me that broke it. Then to get one against Martinsburg. Obviously, the score of the game wasn’t what we wanted it to be, but to be in the playoffs and going up against a program that has accomplished what they have the last few years and make a big play on defense that proved to myself that I can get one against the very best in the state. Stlll though, the best part of this season will be knowing I played a role in getting B-U football turned around and back to the playoffs."

 

The Lee Award is one of six news honors introduced this season by the WVSWA. Previously announced were the Moss Award for wide receiver of the year to Jefferson’s Christian Johnson; House Award for quarterback of the year to South Charleston’s Kentre Grier; Walker Award for special teams player of the year to Musselman’s Deonte Glover; Warner Award for running back of the year to Capital’s Kashuan Haley and Howley Award for linebacker of the year to Martinsburg’s Isaiah Honesty.

 

Lee, a former South Charleston and Marshall University standout played in the NFL for 12 seasons (11 with the Minnesota Vikings and one with the New Orleans Saints). He was selected to the Pro Bowl three times and retired with 31 career interceptions.

 

Editor's Note: Photo by www.benqueenphotography.com.