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Medford’s Parnell earns top defensive honor By Staff, wire reports Updated: Nov 17, 2022 03:42 PM A A RICHARDSON, Texas — Former South Medford High standout Jaylin Parnell highlighted a host of postseason honors for the Western Oregon football team after being named the Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Year on Thursday. Parnell was selected Defensive Player of the Year (called the J.V. Sikes Award in the LSC), Linebacker of the Year and to the all-conference first team. The senior led the LSC in tackles per game (8.5) and sacks per game (0.77) this season and finished with 94 tackles and 8.5 sacks to go along with an interception, a forced fumble, a blocked kick, five quarterback hurries and three pass breakups. During his senior season at South Medford, Parnell also was named Class 6A defensive player of the year after helping lead the Panthers to a state runner-up showing. Also earning first-team honors for the Wolves, who had 15 players honored overall, were running back Omari Dixon-Land, defensive end Noa Aluesi and safety Joey Sinclair. Dixon-Land, the Wolves’ all-time leading rusher, led the LSC in rushing during the regular season with 1,084 (16th in the nation) and was second in rushing touchdowns with 11 (28th in the country). He averaged 5.0 yards per carry on the season. Aluesi was a menace off the end for the Wolves and finished the season with 16 tackles, a sack and six quarterback hurries. Sinclair finished second in the LSC and ninth in the nation in interceptions per game at 0.5. He was second on the team in tackles with 65 to go along with six interceptions, four pass breakups and a forced fumble. Named to the second team for WOU was offensive tackle Tommy McKedy, receiver Damon Hickok, all-purpose returner and wide receiver Marquis Sampson, linebacker Malcolm Liufau and safety Ryan Minniti. Named All-LSC Honorable Mention for the Wolves were: guards Josh McKey and Keating Hinkley, receiver Thomas Wright, Sinclair as a punt returner, defensive tackle Sam Stowers and cornerback Machiah Lee. Jaylin Parnell, Western Oregon University football