Cole Copeland (10) of Bradley Central has been nominated again this season as a Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Awards Back of the Year in Class 6A. Two finalists in each category will be announced on Tuesday, November 15th, on the Titans' website (www.titansonline.com) at noon EST. The finalists will be invited to attend an awards luncheon at Nissan Stadium on November 28th.
photo by Dennis Norwood/File Photo
NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Awards will be presented to the top 16 backs and linemen in eight classifications of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association on Monday, November 28, 2016, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. For the 15th consecutive year, the top kicker in the state will be recognized with a Mr. Football Award, regardless of classification.
The Chattanooga-area had eight nominees on this season's list. In Division 1A South Pittsburg's Mitchell Butner is nominated as Lineman of the Year, In Class 2A Marion County's Alex Kirkendoll and Hunter McClain are both up for Lineman of the Year and in Class 3A, Sequatchie County's Hunter davenport is nominated in both the lineman and back categories, the only player in the state to accomplish this.
In Class 6A, Cole Copeland of Bradley Central is nominated again this year as Back of the Year. McCallie's Giovanni Hightower is up for Division II-AA Lineman, while teammate Robert Riddle is nominated for Back of the Year.
East Hamilton's Jake McClure is nominated as Kicker of the Year.
Four semifinalists are announced in this release for each category and each classification. There are six classifications in Division I and two in Division II. With “Back of the Year” and “Lineman of the Year” for each classification, as well as the “Kicker of the Year” award, that makes for a total of 17 award categories. Two finalists for each category will be announced by Mike Keith on the Titans website at www.titansonline.com on Tuesday, November 15 at 11:00 a.m. CST / 12:00 p.m. EST. The two finalists for each award will be the ones invited to attend the awards luncheon at Nissan Stadium, where the winner of each award will be announced.
A committee of statewide sports writers selected winners based on performance in the 2016 regular season. Academics and character were also taken into consideration. High school head coaches and members of the media nominated the finalists.
“We are very excited and appreciative about being involved with the Tennessee Titans for the 10th consecutive year,” stated Bernard Childress, Executive Director of the TSSAA. “They have helped make the recognition of these 68 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 32nd year that the Mr. Football Awards have been presented to Tennessee’s best high school football players. A Mr. Football trophy will be presented to the winners of each category. A Mr. Football plaque will be presented to the runner-up in each category. The other semi-finalists will each receive a certificate.
More than 400 people, including the 34 finalists, their families, coaches, school administrators and members of the media from all parts of the state, are expected to attend the 2016 luncheon.
Mike Keith, play-by-play voice of the Tennessee Titans, will emcee the awards presentation. A live videostream of the awards will be provided at www.titansonline.com.
Contact Dennis Norwood at sportsshooter614@gmail.com, or follow him on Twitter at @DennisENorwood.