McKENZIE, Tenn. – It’s the day that impacts a young man’s life for four years as thirteen signed to play football for the Wildcats in the upcoming season.  Ten players from Tennessee and three players from Florida make up the list.  Of the signees, Huntingdon High School Mustang, Kennon Holder headlines the list.

Holder has made quite a name for himself in West Tennessee and many Wildcat fans will recognize that he is from the same high school that produced Terrence Bell, Bethel’s second all-time leading rusher.

“He’s a very talented player,” said Bethel Head Coach Dino Kaklis.  “He had a distinguished high school career and he is very comparable to another Huntingdon running back (Terrence Bell).  The coaches hope he can match and continue to have success that Bell had.  We like his versatility, not only can he run the ball, he can catch balls out of the backfield or line up in the slot receiver position, with him we have lots of options.”

This past season, Holder was one of three TSSAA Mr. Football award nominees.  He posted gaudy numbers this past year with 2,023 yards on 215 carries for a 9.4 average; he had 29 touchdowns. He was named MVP of District 13A and to the All-West Tennessee team.

Holder finished his career with 492 carries for 4,016 yards with an average of 8.2 yards a carry and 148.7 yards a game. He scored 52 touchdowns, caught six passes for 82 yards, had 14 one hundred yard games, four 200 yard games and one game for 503 yards which is a state record.

Holder is the son of Tammy King and Kenneth Holder.

Bethel University Football 2010 Signees:

Nate Davis                 Hickman Co. H.S. ( Tenn. )            ILB   

Robbie Irwin               William Blount H.S. (Tenn.)            RB

Robbie Long               Maryville H.S. ( Tenn. )                 OL   

Vic Czyewski               Merritt Island H.S. ( Fla. )             SS   

Sabastian Jordan         Merritt Island H.S. ( Fla. )             WR   

Mike Gundmunsson      Merritt Island H.S. ( Fla. )             CR

Cody Newman            Riverside H.S. ( Tenn. )                 OL   

Joey Dienye                Giles County H.S. (Tenn.)             DE

Josh Brewer                Giles County H.S. (Tenn.)             DE

 Ronnie Fair                 Union City H.S. (Tenn.)                DL

A TSSAA Class 1A Mr. Football Lineman of the Year finalist, Fair helped the Union City Tornadoes win the Class 1A state championship.  Fair was a disruptive force defensively for the state champion Twisters last fall, earning All-State as well as Defensive MVP honors in District 14A after making 74 total tackles — 26 for lost yardage. (Courtesy of the Mike Hutchens – Union City Messenger).