Rebels Honored During Football Banquet

Coach Wade Comer bestows upon Rebel Quarterback Taylor Holland the Most Valuable Player award. Holland rushed for 1012 yards, had 13 touchdowns, and passed for 855 yards, resulting in nine touchdowns for the Rebel team.

McKenzie Rebels and cheerleaders received numerous accolades for the unprecedented football season and the honor they brought to the school. During the January 18 banquet at MHS, the post-season celebration honored the many accomplishments of the players, cheerleaders, coaches and school administrators who made the season possible. The celebration illustrated the who's who of football athletes from McKenzie who made their mark in the region and state. Numerous were the presentations of plaques, photographs, T-shirts, window decals, and other honors.

"This season has raised the bar," said Rebel Head Coach Wade Comer. He noted the team accomplishments - first time to be number one in the region, first time to reach the semi-final round, new scoring records, undefeated regular season, and winning the "championship" of the teams within Carroll County by defeating West Carroll, Huntingdon and Bruceton. "The Town of McKenzie is in good hands with these young men," said Comer of the football players, who he had watched grow physically and emotionally. The coach said the seniors have had an unprecedented run as well during their tenure at MHS. During their four years, the team has garnered 38 wins and 11 losses. Comer thanked the board of education and the administration for providing him with the opportunity to coach and the support they have given him through the year.

MHS Principal Terry Howell reiterated the support the school system has given the football program. Five years ago the Board of Education decided to enhance the competitiveness of the program. The Board allocated more financial resources to achieve that goal. Along with the support of the School Board, Howell said that many groups and individuals made possible the successful season. He thanked the Rebel Quarterback Club for raising money for the addition to the field house and the new storage building at the practice field. Jo Nelle (Ellis) Weatherford of Lexington, a 1971 graduate of MHS contributed the steaks for the delicious banquet meal, Cindy Gaskins made the bookmarks, the Booster Club decorated the cafeteria where the meal was served and the theater where the awards ceremony was held.

MHS Basketball Coach Dan Ridley served as emcee for the evening. He said the 2001 season is one that can be looked back to for a lifetime. Speaking of the coaching staff, Ridley said the MHS Football staff is very experienced and dedicated. "Look around West Tennessee. You won't find more experience." He said Comer is "truly committed to this program."


Coach Comer offered many thanks to the Touchdown Club for feeding the players after the games, donating equipment, and supporting the players; the chain gang for taking care of the sideline; PA announcer Tim McBride, video camera operator Tim Cook, clock operators Gene and Larry Anderson, cheerleaders and the MHS Band for their weekly performances; bus drivers Cheryl Foster and Wayford Washburn, Sr.; media outlets WDAP radio, WMUF radio, The McKenzie Banner, and Carroll County News-Leader; Doctor Byron Merrick for providing free medical physicals for the players and helping the coach with his kidney stones; and Methodist Hospital Ambulance Service for their free service at each home game. He complimented assistant coaches David Duncan, Randy Thomas, Jason Driggers, Paul Carroll, George Ognibene, Josh Kee, Matt McCaleb, and Steve Mathis. Coaches Duncan, Thomas, and Driggers were the full-time coaches, while the others provided assistances on a part-time basis. Comer called MHS Principal Terry Howell "a true friend" who went "above the call of duty" to assist the program. The head coach also praised the wives of the coaches for their support of the program.

Cheerleader Sponsor Christie Plunk introduced each of the cheerleaders. Senior members include Jill Stambaugh (captain) and Kaci Mebane (co-captain); Junior - Emily Kee; Sophomore - Savanna Cooper, Heather Flippin, Jessica Johnson, Kasey Nicholson, Amanda Rogers, and Carrie Stambaugh; Freshmen - Brandi Burke, Brittany Carpenter, and Rachel Clark. Mrs. Plunk said the cheerleaders were happy to have participated in the record-breaking season. She said the cheerleaders work many long hours.

Each football player was introduced and received a plaque with the team record and a team photograph. Freshmen - Clint Anderson, Steven Boone, Ben Boyd, Cody Cook, Paul Edwards, Jonathan Harris, Randy Lacey, Billy Poff, and Andrew Wilson; Sophomores - Shane Barksdale, Jose Becerra, Stephen Brown, Brad Campbell, Andrew Cross, Daniel Duncan, Daniel Hollowell, John Craig Howell, Clint Manns, Kent Ozment, Jake Smith, Kris Sydnor, Clint Woodard, and David Wheeler; Juniors - Hugo Becerra, Brandon Cook, Haywood Cunningham, Steven Dickson, Demerick Diggs, Ryan Drewry, Junior Guzman, Matt Jones, Ricky Mathis, Matt Merrick, Ryan O'Rourke, Chris Stephens, Josh Stewart, Jay Taylor, Jazz Taylor, and Brian Winston; Seniors - Jonathan Adkisson, Justin Adkisson, Bruce Anderson, David Duncan, Jonathan Gaskins, Eric Gilbert, Mitchell Hall, Stevia Harris, Taylor Holland, Brannon Milton, Howard Nolen, Shiron Perkins, Josh Stenberg, Jeremy Sydnor, Carone Tharpe, Chris Wall, and Nathan Young. The trainers and managers were also introduced. The included: Justin Cook - Trainer; and managers - Shay Barksdale, Laken Comer, Harris Laughrey, Corey Manns, and Justin Taylor.

Coach Thomas presented offensive awards. The Most Valuable Offensive Backs, as voted by the players, were Shiron Perkins and Brannon Milton. Most Valuable Offensive Linemen were Jeremy Sydnor and Ricky Mathis.

Coach Duncan presented defensive awards. The Defensive Lineman Awards were presented to Eric Gilbert and Jonathan Adkisson. Defensive Back/Linebacker went to Josh Stenberg.

Most Improved Awards went to Nathan Young and Justin Adkisson.

Team First Award - an award for placing the team before one's self, was presented to Howard Nolen and Chris Wall.

Terry Howell presented the academic awards to seniors with a 3.3 GPA or higher. Honored were Chris Wall (3.3 GPA), Mitchell Hall (3.6), Jeremy Sydnor (3.7), Taylor Holland (3.8), and Bruce Anderson (3.9). Mr. Anderson received the David Long Academic Award.

The Jeff Givens Sportsmanship Award was presented to Jonathon Gaskins and Stevia Harris. The Jerry Phillip Carter Most Inspired Play Award was given to David Duncan, who played with a broken bone in his wrist the entire season. The Kermit Holland 3-D Award was presented to Mitchell Hall. The 3 D's stand for dedication, determination, and discipline.

Mr. Howell noted that the seniors had him as their principal in both junior high and high school, with the exception of their eighth grade year. He had unveiled a photograph of the team that will be displayed in the school's hallway that illustrates the team's record.

The Most Valuable Player award went to Taylor Holland, who served as quarterback. Holland rushed for 1012 yards, had 13 touchdowns, and passed for 855 yards, which resulted in nine touchdowns.

The four captains for the end of the year were Mitchell Hall, Taylor Holland, Josh Stenberg, and Carone Tharpe.

Additional awards were noted during the awards ceremony. All Region First Team were David Duncan, Mitchell Hall, Taylor Holland, Brannon Milton, Josh Stenberg, Jeremy Sydnor, Ricky Mathis, Justin Adkisson, Jonathon Adkisson, Eric Gilbert, Shiron Perkins, and Howard Nolen. All Region Honorable Mention - Bruce Anderson, Stevia Harris, Nathan Young, Carone Tharpe, and Jonathan Gaskins. All West Tennessee First Team - David Duncan, Josh Stenberg, Mitchell Hall, and Jeremy Sydnor. All West Tennessee Honorable Mention - Jonathan Adkisson, Justin Adkisson, Eric Gilbert, Taylor Holland, Ricky Mathis, Brannon Milton, Howard Nolen, and Shiron Perkins. All State Honorable Mention - David Duncan and Taylor Holland.

The Rebel Quarterback Club presented plaques to each senior player, senior cheerleader, coach, Cheerleader Sponsor Christie Plunk, MHS Principal Terry Howell, and Superintendent Jim Ward. The wooden plaque had a raised relief emblem of the Rebel Man on the front. The team schedule and resulting scores were on the rear of the plaque. They also received a V-neck shirt with the scores on the rear.