Long County High School recently had its fall sports banquet to honor athletes in softball, cross country, cheerleading and football. Friday’s story will feature the softball, cross country, track and cheerleading participants. Today’s story focuses on the football team.
Receiving letters for playing football were James Barren, Jalleel Baggs, Anthony Bryant, Irmal Coney, Cody Copeland, John Duncan, Delavin Hampton, Thomas IIlcken, Al Jackson, Johnnae Jones, Kwanzi Lattimore, Shawn Mills, Jarques Payne, T.J. Sims, Tyler Smith, David Stewart and Donte Wright.Receiving their first letters for football were Brandon Adkins, Lee Bailey, Josh Berry, Jermaine Gibbs, Luke Golden, Jeffrey Hall, Brandon Hope, Patrick Howard, Anthony Roberts, Lamar Sims and Glenntis Watkins.
Receiving bars for their letters were Marcus Williams, Dominique Torres, Kendrick King, Mike Jones, Miguel Hernandez, Bernaby Guadalupe, Jake Durham, Omar Castro, Donte Brown, Justin Boyd, Caleb Bailey and Chris Banks.
In addition to the presentation of letters and bars, Adkins was recognized as the most improved defensive player. Stock received the strongest man on the team award. Turner was selected as the junior varsity’s defensive most valuable player, and Williams was named defensive specialist of the year. Hernandez won the special teams player of the year title. Castro was named lineman of the year. Boyd was tapped as the offensive specialist of the year. Bailey was named junior varsity offensive most valuable player of the year.
Banks, Bailey, Berry, Brown, Castro, Durham, Hernandez and Williams were honored by Region 2-AA.
Chris Banks received the big team/little me coaches award.
Manager Ashley Banks, Laura Clary and Dustin Spell received letters, and Courtney Middleton received a bar for her letter.
Long County athletic director Karen Swindell, who attended the banquet, praised the award winners.
"Out athletic department is full of outstanding student-athletes. To become a great athlete, you must first perform in the classroom, and then you must maintain the proper discipline to be successful on the playing field," she said. "As the athletic director, I have tried to emphasize the student part of the student-athlete. I look forward to continued success in our program."