By Nick Nunn
Staff Writer

The Touchdown Club honored the MCHS football team Monday night at their annual award banquet.
Coach Bill Malone began the night by giving thanks to all of those who have supported the team over the year.
In particular, he wanted to thank the school system and the athletic department for doing what he loves, coaching football.
“Thank you for allowing me to be here,” said Malone.
Every year as of late, the football team has taken on a quotation from the Bible as their motto for the year. Last year, a section of Luke 12:48 set the mood for the team, but, this year, Coach Malone has chosen Galatians 6:7, which includes the oft-quoted, “A man reaps what he sows.”
Malone continued the theme of working to earn what you deserved by addressing the upcoming seniors.
“We’re going to be as good as you let us be,” said Malone. “You’ll be able to reflect this time next year and ask, ‘what did I put in it?’”
Defensive coordinator Coach Doug Huff cited several of the defense’s statistical accomplishments from the year, which include holding their opponents to an average of only 10.8 points, 89 rushing yards, and 195 yards per game.
Huff also acknowledged the many of the senior, defensive players’ commitment to playing on both sides of the ball.
“These are the kinds of sacrifices that guys make to make us successful,” said Huff. “They’re all going to be missed. We’ve got some holes to fill.”
John Robbins, offensive coordinator, had a simple compliment for the offensive squad: “They make my job easy.”
“The people in this room understand [the team] more than most,” said Robbins about the athletes, parents, and members of the Football Club, all of whose utmost goal is that the players, “become good men.”
Athletic Director, Steve Cisson, praised the team’s integrity and reminded them that their school appreciates them.
“The tone for the school year is set by the football team,” said Cisson. “And it looks like we’re going to have a good year.”
Cisson also handed out the Assistant Coach of the Year award to Alan Crowley, who played a role on the defensive coaching staff this year.
Coach Dusty Sidwell handed out certificates for first and second year participants on the football team, many of who were members of the JV team that he coached.
“We had a great season,” said Sidwell of the JV team. “If it wasn’t a W on the column, it wasn’t for lack of trying.”
After the third and fourth year players received their awards, the senior members of the team handed out signed and framed copies of the Morgan County Citizen’s 2012 football supplement to each member of the coaching staff.
Individual awards were handed out during the rest of the program. Drew McHugh won the Bill Cochran Jr. Award, and Tevin Waller received the Craft Family Award for hard work in the weight room.
Melvin Davis earned the Bill Cochran Sr. Award by being a junior with at least a 3.5 GPA, Carter Shultz won the Kiwanis Club’s award, and Bailey Ross received the 2012 Academic Award.
Levi Ewing, Brantley Frost, Tevin Waller, and Stewart Spence won their classes’ award for attendance in the weight room throughout the summer.
Finally, Coach Malone named Morgan County’s selections for the All-Region team for 2012. This year, the team was able to choose eight members: Tevin Waller, Grayson Segrest, Austin Ross, Michael Gray, Andrew Couch, Carter Shultz, Bailey Ross, and Joey Perpoli were selected for the honor.
Additionally, Malone announced that Campbell Harrison and Stewart Spence had been chosen Special Teams Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, respectively, for the 8-AAA region.
To end the night, the Touchdown Club presented a 25-minute slideshow, outlining the entire 2012 season through pictures and music.
Congratulations to all of the members of the MCHS football team for 2012.

Printed in the December 6, 2012 edition