Head Coach Keith Graham presided over the ceremonies and said he felt the program was moving in the right direction. Graham told the audience that several times over the past couple of seasons he had been complimented by opposing coaches about how hard the Cougars play on the field.
Graham pointed out that the Cougars had won 13 games in the past three years. While not earth-shattering numbers, they are an improvement over previous years.
Graham pointed out the program needs to increase the number of players from this year's freshman class. The team finished the season with just four freshmen. Graham also said an upgrade in the team's facilities is a must for the future.
Next year's team will play without the coaching expertise of Mike Lewis. Coach Lewis will retire after this school year after 30 years in education. Graham said he and Lewis had been coaching together for the past 11 years and said Lewis would be sorely missed next season.
Nine players received All-District recognition, seven on the Honorable Mention squad and two on the All-District Team. Seniors Brandon DeWitt, Korey Fulkerson, Timmy Langley, Gavin Logsdon, Adam Phelps and Anthony Smith, along with sophomore Nathan Gordon were tabbed for Honorable Mention. This was the third-straight year Logsdon had been recognized for this honor.
Senior Ben Beeler and junior Brian Sandlin were the Cougars named to the All-District Team.
Third-year lettermen included Beeler, DeWitt, Fulkerson, Langley, Logsdon, Smith, Phelps, Scott Harris, Ryan Hodges and Jarrod Smith.
Second-year lettermen included Sandlin, Michael Decker, Nik Dunkelberger, Joey Elmore, Josh Elmore, Jon Tilford, Trey Tanner, Matt Thurman and Kenny Williams.
First year lettermen included Gordon, Matt Alvey, Brett Clemons, Bud Cook, Jordan Drake, Chris Elmore, Matt Graham, Daniel Hogan, Michael Kingrey, Nick Lacefield, Brad Meredith, Kyle Tarrance and Brian Soverns.
Those receiving letters were required to have participated in half of the 40 quarters played during the season. Those players who did not qualify for letters, but who did play during the season received certificates. They included John Dickerson, Jonathan Green, Justin Gordon, Kyle Paris, Philip Runsvold, Adam Taylor and Daniel Whobrey.
The four remaining freshmen, Neil Brown, Logan Clemons, Chris Roof and Eddie Hardin, also received certificates.
Academic Awards were presented to those players who maintained at least a 3.5 grade-point average during the season. These awards went to players Alvey, Beeler, Joey Elmore, Green, Harris, Kingrey, Langley and Anthony Smith. An academic award was also presented to Student Trainer Rebecca Bratcher.
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