Winona Christian football coach Junior Graham has seen his fair share of college level players.
He has seen state championships at both Weir and Eupora and seen SEC-level players.
But the veteran coach said he has never seen a player have a better year than Choyce Diffey.
Diffey was named the Class 3A Defensive Player of the Year after having 48 tackles and an astounding 12 interceptions. On offense, Diffey had 954 yards receiving on 40 catches with 12 touchdowns.
“He may have had as good a season as any one person I have ever had,” Winona Christian coach Junior Graham said. “If I have had a better one, it would be Dicenzo Miller (of Weir). We didn’t plan on him playing both sides (of the ball) but as we started preparing for the year, he looked better and better at safety and ended up with 12 interceptions. He scored every way you can score except for a punt return. He had a really special year.”
Diffey signed with Meridian Community College to play baseball but was also a standout in football and basketball. In basketball, Diffey averaged 15 points a game and eight rebounds a contest.
Three other Winona Christian players were named to the MAIS Class 3A all-state team. Joining Diffey on the team by offensive threat Dalton Wiggins had 855 yards rushing on 111 carries and 837 yards receiving on 56 catches.
Four other Winona Christian players also made the defensive team. Leading the way there was Hayden Self who recorded 119 tackles and six sacks. He is joined by senior Ben Pinkard, who had 101 tackles. Also making the team was Latham Hill (66 tackles), Thomas Costilow and Reed Roberts, all of whom were named the MAIS All-Star football game along with Pinkard.
