MONTICELLO – The Lawrence County faculty, coaches and family members honored their Cougars’ football players and cheerleaders with a athletic banquet Thursday night in Lawrence County’s Multi Purpose building/Gymnasium.

Assistant baseball coach and radio announcer Craig Davis opened the ceremony welcoming the crowd to this special event to honor these great young men and ladies for their hard work and achievements.

Bro. Jeremy Burnham gave the invocation to bless the meal that was provided by Bessie Turner. During the meal, everyone enjoyed a highlight film that show of the Cougars football season.

After the meal, LCHS Cheerleader Coach Roshanda Alexander begins the award ceremony honoring her cheerleading squad by handing out certificates of participating. Layton Powell earning a 31 on her ACT received the Scholastic Award. Taite Williamson earned the Heart of the Cougar award. Receiving senior recognition were Mary Barker, Layton Powell and Shatavia Presley

Head Football Coach Jaymie Palmer thanked his assistant coaches, the football coach wives and several others for their hard work and contributions to the team to this season. “Everyone did a great job and played a huge part in our team success on and off the field this season. I just want to say thank you and I appreciate everything that everyone has done to help this season be a success.”

Lawrence County finished 6-5 on the season, with a 2-3 record in the Region 7-4A race. “Before entering into the season, we set three goals as a team to achieve,” said Palmer. “The first was to have a winning season, the second was to win all the home games and the third was to make the playoffs. We accomplished two of our goals but overall we had a great season and I look for us to be in the playoffs next season.”

Coach Palmer and his assistant coaches hand out the special awards that were voted on by the players. Each player received a participation certificate and the line of recipients stretch across half the room.

Several players were also recognized for their achievements in the classroom as several students were named to the Principle Scholars list and Super Attendant Scholars list. Duke Tanksley was the overall winner of the Scholar Award.

Quinton Brown was recognized as the Best Offensive Back of the Year. Marcus Atterberry earned the Receiver of the Year Award. Noah McLaurin captured the Best Offensive Lineman Award.

Laderrick McCray was voted the Best Defensive Back. Jarius Snell earned the Best Linebacker Award. Brandon Armstrong captured the Defensive Lineman of the Year Award. Josh Stephens received the Special Team Player award.

Charl’Tez Nunnery was honored with the Cougar Award. Jessie Hedgepeth won the Coaches Award. Duke Tanksley and Cedric Rhodes were recognized as the teams’ Permanent Captains.

Before the end of the ceremony, Palmer revealed T-Tex Cole as this year overall Most Valuable Player award for the Lawrence County Cougars.

LCHS Priniciple Darrell Turner closed the ceremony thanking the athletes, coaches and families for the wonderful season they had at Lawrence County. Coach Cory Keyes, LCHS Athletic Director, ended the ceremony with a benediction.

 Lawrence County Football Awards

Team Captains:  Duke Tanksley, Cedric Rhodes.

Offensive Back of the Year:  Quinton Brown.

Receiver of Year: Marcus Atterberry.

Best Offensive Lineman: Noah McLaurin.

Best Defensive Back: Laderrick McCray.

Best Linebacker: Jarius Snell.

Defensive Linemen of the Year:  Brandon Armstrong.

Special Team Player:  Josh Stephens.

Scholastic Award:  Duke Tanksley.

Cougar Award:  Charl’Tez Nunnery.

Coaches Award:  Jessie Hedgepeth.

Overall MVP Award:  T-Tez Cole

All-Region 7-4a Selections

All-Region First Team:  T-Tez Cole, Laderrick McCray, Brandon Armstrong, Quitten Brown.

All-Region Second Team:  Duke Tanksley, Jarius Snell, Noah McLaurin, Cedric Rhodes.

Cheerleader Awards 

Scholastic Award:  Layton Powell (ACT 31)

Heart of the Cougar:  Taite Williamson

Senior Recognition:  Mary Barker, Layton Powell, Shatavia Presley