Date: Saturday, January 23 2010

McKenzie celebrates football season with banquet

By JIM STEELE, Editor pressbox1.com

After reaching the state semifinals for the third time in four years, setting a school mark for victories in a four-year span and winning the District 13A football title, there was much to celebrate last Monday night. McKenzie High School held its football awards banquet at the high school cafeteria and auditorium. The awardees included J.D. Russell (manager); Evan Rogers, Zach McEwen, Jake Johnson, John Johnson (captains); Quinton Bowden (running back); Jake Elliott (linebacker); McEwen (offensive line); Aaron Floyd (defensive line); Austin McKinney (special teams); Max Arnold (defensive back); John Johnson (receiver); Keon willilams (most improved). Special awards went to John Johnson (Phillip Carter Award); Andrew Doster and Austin Taylor (Jeff Givens Award); Alex Rider and John Johnson (David Long Award); Rogers (Howard Nolen Award); Jake Johnson (Kermit Holland 3D Award); Jake Johnson, Evan Rogers (Mr. Rebel Award). Cheerleader coach LaDona Herrin, also speaking on behalf of cheerleader coach Susan Dyer, said that cheerleader awards would be presented during the basketball banquet. However, she did offer a few remarks about her squad. "To you guys, if it weren't for you, we wouldn't be here, so thank you one and all," she said. "And you seniors, I've been to every game you've played since you were in sixth grade. I thought about that. I have  son in this class. By the time he stopped playing football, Hannah started cheerleading, so I've seen every game except one, when Hannah had strep throat this year. "Good luck to you senior guys," she said. Herrin then introduced her squad, which includes Kristen Mitchell, Anna Carey, Hannah Herrin, Mallory Dunavan, Ashlee Hampton, Taylor Webb, Kelsey Mattox, Hope Cunningham, Taylor Buckley and Hannah Harris. "We appreciate all that they do," she said. McKenzie Director of Schools Lynn Watkins introduced MHS football coach Wade Comer. "If you need inspiration, some motivation to go to work, all you need to do is hang out down at the fieldhouse with these bunch of men who are going to present our football awards," said Watkins. "Unless you've done it or been around it, you can't imagine the demands being a football coach has on your entire life and family. We have an exceptional group. The results show it. In fact, right now, they're going wide open right now t to get ready to play football in August. We have the quality of guys that it takes and it shows that daily through their commitment. "As you know Wade won his 100th game this year and in that 10-year span, that's the longest time that anyone has been the head coach at McKenzie High School. I'm very thankful for that. We're lucky to have this man in our town." Coach Comer talked a bit about his team and, like the other presenters, offered his gratitude to all those who helped make the 2010 football season a success. "Ten years, it's been a long time and it doesn't seem that long, but I've enjoyed it and had a whole lot of help. I've been very fortunate to work with these young men, have good coaches and community support," Comer said. "This team was one of the finest teams I've ever coached since being here. They came ready to work each and every day, whether it was in the weightroom or at practice. When you have kids like that, it's fun to be in coaching. As a result of them being willing to work everyday, this senior class achieved so much. They won the county championship, beat Huntingdon again, won the district championship and made it all the way back to the state semifinals. These seniors put together the best four years we've had in McKenzie High School football history." The coach recounted the team's accomplishments. "They won four county championships. A lot of them participated all four years as freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors. Not only on Friday nights, they made us better Monday through Thursday. They never lost to Huntingdon in those four years. They won at least 10 games in all four years. Had two Region 7A championships and one District 13A championship. They had three trips to the semifinals and one trip to the state championship game and was state runner up," Comer said. "It's amazing what this group of seniors did. Finally, they compiled the best record in McKenzie High School history by going 45-9. Most teams get to play 40 games in four years, these guys played in 54." The coach testified to the character of this year's seniors. "They were very unselfish. They were more interested other teammates getting credit. They are leaving the program in better shape than it was when they came here," Comer said. " hese guys are down there working with the team on their own time, making sure these younger kids are going to keep the torch burning." Assistant coach Randy Thomas, upon presenting h is awards, challenged the returning Rebels. "To all you guys coming back next year, we made it to the semifinals three years and to state championship round one time. We haven't got that gold ball yet," he said. "There's that some little something that we as coaches or we as players aren't doing. I don't know about you, but I want a gold ball. So let's go to work."