HERMITAGE, Tenn. – Four local standouts have been named finalists for the Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Awards that will be presented to the top 10 backs and linemen in five classifications of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association on Monday, Dec. 1, at the Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center in Murfreesboro.
For the thirteenth consecutive year, the top kicker in the state will be recognized with a Mr.
Football Award. There are three finalists in this category, regardless of their school’s classification.
McCallie running back Alex Trotter is one of three finalists for the Division II-AA Back of the Year award.
Ooltewah’s Laszlo Toser is a candidate for the Kicker of the Year honor
Signal Mountain’s Harrison Moon is up for the Class AA Lineman of the Year award.
And Marion County's is a candidate for the Class AA Back of the Year.
A committee of statewide sports writers selected winners based on performance in the 2014 regular season. Academics and character were also taken into consideration. High school head coaches and members of the media nominated the finalists.
"We are obviously excited and appreciative about being involved with the Tennessee Titans for the eighth consecutive year,” stated Bernard Childress, Executive Director of the TSSAA. “They have helped make the recognition of the 33 student-athletes, their families, and schools possible. The sponsorship of the Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Awards and numerous contributions to high schools across the state since the team moved to Tennessee have meant a great deal to the member schools of the TSSAA.”
This is the 30th year that the Mr. Football Awards have been presented to Tennessee’s best high school football players. Plaques will be presented to 22 other finalists.
Approximately 600 people, including the honorees, their families, coaches, school administrators and members of the media from all parts of the state, are expected to attend the 2014 luncheon.
2014 Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Finalists
CLASS A LINEMAN
Alex Givens, Nashville Christian
Zach Stewart, Coalfield
Tristan Jernigan, Union City
CLASS AA LINEMAN
Parker Howell, CPA
Kyle Mitchell, Alcoa
Harrison Moon, Signal Mountain
CLASS AAA LINEMAN
Dylan Jackson, Maryville
Jack Jones, Oakland
Joshua McMillon, Whitehaven
DII-A LINEMAN
Brant Mitchell, Webb School of Knoxville
Trey Smith, USJ
Andrew Wood, Friendship Christian
DII-AA LINEMAN
Myles Douglas, Ensworth
Jackson Pittman, Brentwood Academy
Drew Richmond, MUS
CLASS A BACK
Kyle Akin, Trinity Christian
Ricky Henry, Union City
Blake Zeman, Marion County
CLASS AA BACK
Johnny Jones, Crockett County
Jaquez Tyson, Alcoa
Ke’Shawn Vaughn, Pearl Cohn
CLASS AAA BACK
Van Jefferson, Ravenwood
Jauan Jennings, Blackman
Malik McGue, Science Hill
DII-A BACK
Clay Beathard, BGA
Chase Hayden, St. George’s
Austin Taylor, Friendship Christian
DII-AA BACK
Cole Euverard, MBA
Colton Neel, MUS
Alex Trotter, McCallie
KICKER OF THE YEAR
Corey Fatony, Franklin
Thomas Garrison, Columbia Academy
Laszlo Toser, Ooltewah
(E-mail Larry Fleming at larryfleming44@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @larryfleming44)