FOUR OAKS — In Smithfield-Selma’s 20-6 victory over chief rival South Johnston, Justin Dixon ran the ball, and ran the ball some more.
Nevermind that Dixon, a UNC recruit, is rated as one of the top inside linebackers in the nation among high school seniors by both major recruiting Web sites.
Dixon will be featured in Tuesday’s High School Huddle, which this year includes each week a look at one of the state’s top high school football players.
Dixon did it all Friday night. On defense, he delivered some punishing hits, hurried the quarterback and was all over the field. On a few occasions, the refs thought a few of those hits were late, and his team was penalized.
“He needs to learn how to tone it down,” said Spartans coach Anthony Barbour.
Dixon, who said his favorite NFL linebackers are retired New York Giants legend Lawrence Taylor and current Baltimore Ravens veteran Ray Lewis, said he just loves the position.
“I just love hitting people,” Dixon said before the game, a statement backed up on the field.
Dixon, has clocked a 4.50-second 40-yard dash, making him one of the quickest linebackers in this recruiting class. Combined with his 6-1, 230-pound frame, it’s no wonder scouts like what they see.
In Friday’s game, he led the game in rushing, gaining 115 yards on 25 carries, by far the most carries he’s had in a game this year, Barbour said.
Barbour said that that’s just the way things worked out, as he has three running backs capable of doing lots of damage, including Josh Snead and D.J. Bunn.
As for Dixon, Barbour said he didn’t know what position Dixon would play in college. What he was sure of, was that Dixon will find a place on the field.
“He can play,” said Barbour.
Javier Serna has covered sports for The News & Observer since 2007. He previously covered growth for the North Raleigh News, and sports at The Truth in Elkhart, Ind. E-mail 
Comments
Thanks ever so much, very
Fri, 11/06/2009 - 04:00 — mkoswellThanks ever so much, very useful article.
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justin dixon
Sat, 09/13/2008 - 20:07 — chris barbour (not verified)I take it you are a big Dixon fan. Having been down on the field and seeing and hearing his comments, he should have been ejected in the first half. Perhaps you should pay more attention to what he does after the play. If this is the type of recruit Carolina wants I feel sorry for the fans. I graduated from SSS and was embarrassed by the coach ans well as the players.
come on man stop hating the
Fri, 09/19/2008 - 13:47 — Anonymous (not verified)come on man stop hating the mans game cause u no on the field u want go head to head wit him be forreal he did get the scholarship,keep doin your thing justin
chris hodge
come on man stop hating the
Fri, 09/19/2008 - 13:47 — Anonymous (not verified)come on man stop hating the mans game cause u no on the field u want go head to head wit him be forreal he did get the scholarship,keep doin your thing justin
chris hodge
come on man stop hating the
Fri, 09/19/2008 - 13:47 — Anonymous (not verified)come on man stop hating the mans game cause u no on the field u want go head to head wit him be forreal he did get the scholarship,keep doin your thing justin
chris hodge
Dixon - SSS
Mon, 09/15/2008 - 08:32 — Stadium Observer (not verified)I agree with what Chris Barbour said above. I also was witness to a lot of stuss that has no place on the high school football field. The most distressing was NOT the obvious late hits that appeared to be a premeditated game plan. Rather, I was simply appalled at the attitude not only Dixon, and the coaching staff showed when an opposing player was injured and in obvious pain lying in the middle of the field. This attitude starts at the top and filters down the chain of command.
Yes ... Mr. Dixon should have been ejected for his play. He had (2) dead-ball personal fouls, and (2) unsportsmanlike penalties that could have easily been the third and fourth personal fouls. But I suppose the officiating crew realized that an ejection might look BAD on the recruitment prospects.