White House Football Banquet - Live Blog

The following is a blog from the White House football banquet for our fans. If you are a ministry partner for Revolution Church, please disregard this post.

Thanks!....Pastor K

------------

Sunday, December 13, 2009
White House High School Football Banquet
WHHS Cafeteria

The banquet began at 3 p.m. with opening statements from head coach Jeff Porter and Pastor Kris Freeman, with the invocation led by Pastor Jonathan Finch of Temple Baptist Church.

The meal was served to all guests and Coach Jim Grantham opened with a thanks of the Cafeteria Staff.

The awards presentation:

THE BLUE DEVIL NETWORK (Randy Cline and Lee Smith)
The following awards were voted upon by the Blue Devil Sports Network and presented during the banquet. Each week's award is voted upon during the broadcast and the player of the year is presented today.
Week 1: Bryan Dixon
Week 2: Zack Byrd
Week 3: Kevin Jackson
Week 4: Jonathan Duke
Week 6: Trent McEwen
Week 7: Cole Elrod
Week 8: Aussie Light
Week 9: Walt Wages
Week 10: Tyler Davis
Week 11: Cody Adair
Player of the Year: Zack Byrd (Linebacker #32) - "Overall, the kind of White House football player we are looking for. Career 245 tackles rnaking him 8th all-time at White House. This season, 106 tackles, 16 tackles against Sycamore is the sixth best in White House history for one game. Five games with double digits. Second-longest INT return in White House history. On offense, led the running game as starting fullback. Our 2009 Player of the Year, Zack Byrd."

THE BLUE DEVIL ADVOCATE AWARD (DeWayne McDaniel)
The following award is selected by Blue Devil football historian DeWayne McDaniel, the author and creator of The Blue Devil Advocate newsletter.
"The award generally goes to the player's character. As such, this award is earned not presented. The winner through his attitudes and actions has brought nothing but pride to his team, his pride and his family. I don't know this young man personally, I don't think I could pick him out of the crowd. It's the anonymity that deals with the offensive linemen. Without your offensive linemen, you will not have success. From everything I have heard from fans, Coach Porter, and Mr. Cordell, this young man is well deserving of this award. I salute the winner of this year's award:"
The Blue Devil Advocate Award: Jacob Knight (Tight end, #88)

Reflections
By Eddie Ray Anderson, Blue Devils public address announcer
"Potential has to be worked to do something with it. I am not talking about this year's team. They fulfilled their potential by facing setbacks, adversity and injuries and still kept their head up and kept going. There is always a possibility that next year will not be that way. What we hope next year's team not only has great potential, but great success. Next year's team has the potential to be very successful. Choose your role models, work hard and be successful so that we can be here in January next year instead of December."

FRESHMAN AWARDS

The following awards were voted upon by the players of the 2009 freshman team. Presented by head coach Ryan Hamilton and assistants Joe Draper, Chad Broadrick, Shane McDonald, DeWayne Dotson.
All freshmen were recognized in numerical order and given their "WH" letter for the jacket.

Offensive Player of the Year (presented by Coach Shane McDonald): Chris Mullins (Quarterback, #7)

Defensive Player of the Year (presented by Coach Chad Broadrick): Bryce Bumbalough (Defensive Lineman, #74)

Most Valuable Player (presented by Coach Ryan Hamilton): Grant Wicker (QB/TB/DB, #9)

ACADEMIC AWARD (Athletic Director and Assistant Principal Jeff Bennett)
"This award is given to a senior football player who has exemplified themselves as a student athlete. We have a young man who has a perfect grade point average and scored a 35 on his ACT and has never received a B."
Academic Award: Jacob Lamberth

GEORGE C. NASH CITIZEN'S AWARD (Principal Jeff Cordell)
"This man is a graduate of White House High School and he knows everything there is to know about White House High School football. He is also our number one fan and he does not miss a game and on the 50 yard line every game."
G.C. Nash Citizen's Award: DeWayne McDaniel

QUARTERBACK CLUB AWARD (QB Club President Keith O'Neal)
"On August 2nd, 54 football players, 19 hours and two hours of sleep. Lots of food, team building, 14 decisions, eight to receive Christ for the first time and six recommitments. This led to a revival with a service of over 700 people and this spread to two other schools and 24 other conversions. This would not have been possible without someone willing to serve and be obedient. I want to thank this person for their willingness to give back to these young men and this program."
Quarterback Club Award: Jonathan Finch

Coach Porter recognized the sophomores in numerical order.

Coach Porter gave special thanks to community and football program supporters.

ERIC BLAYLOCK SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD (Coach Mark Lamberth)
This award is presented in memory of the late Eric Blaylock, a former White House High School football player in the 1980s. This award is given to a person who cares more about other people than themselves. This individual is the first to congratulate someone else on their success. This award is voted upon by the players.
Eric Blaylock Sportsmanship Award: Jacob Lamberth and Ryan O'Neal

DEFENSIVE BACK AWARD (Coach Jim Grantham)
This includes linebackers, safeties and cornerbacks. This award is voted upon by the players.
Defensive Back Award: Zack Byrd

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN AWARD (Coach James Honeycutt
This includes defensive tackles and defensive ends. This award is voted upon by the players.
Defensive Lineman Award: Aussie Light and Jonathan Duke

SCOUT TEAM AWARD (Coach DeWayne Dotson)
This includes all players and is given to a player who best exemplifies work ethic in practice and preparation for each week's game. This award is voted upon by the players.
Scout Team Award: Caleb West

OFFENSIVE BACK AWARD (Coach Ryan Hamilton)
This includes quarterbacks, fullbacks, tailbacks and receivers. This award is voted upon by the players.
Offensive Back Award: Trent McEwen

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN AWARD (Coach Mark Lamberth)
This includes offensive tackles, offensive guards and tight ends. This award is voted upon by the players.
Offensive Lineman Award: Walt Wages

SULLY AWARD (Principal Jeff Cordell)
This is a new award in 2009, given in honor of Cody and Cory Sullins, who played at White House from 2001-04 and then walked on at the University of Tennessee as offensive linemen before becoming starting offensive linemen for the Vols by their senior year in 2009, and will graduate as four-time members of the All-SEC Academic Team.
Sully Award: Joey Smith

WAYNE GOURLEY AWARD (Coach Jim Grantham)
This award is given to a football player who best exemplifies the utmost in character, work ethic and commitment. This person strives always to commit all they have to the team. He exemplifies the hustle, desire and dedication of the true athlete. This is not an award of popularity, but of tribute. This award is voted upon by the players.
Gourley Award: Cody Adair

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER (Head coach Jeff Porter)
This award is voted upon by the players.
MVP: Bryan Dixon

TEAM CAPTAINS
Each year, the players elect two permanent team captains.
Team Captains: Aussie Light and Zack Byrd

Juniors were recognized in numerical order.

Senior were recognized in numerical order and gave closing comments.