Red Devil Captains receive special recognition
(L to R) Zach Houchin, Eric Metz and Marcus Davis
Marcus Davis receives "Big Hit Award" and "Best Lineman"
Gaylen Duskey, Sports Editor
MOUNT ZION - Calling it the best 4-6 football team in the state, Calhoun County
High School football coach Bucky
Stewart expressed his admiration for a team that "never gave up."
"We took some whippings," Stewart told those in attendance at the annual football
banquet Friday night, "but we never quit. I
am proud of these boys for that."
Senior tackle-line backer Marcus Davis was the only two-time award winner,
copping the Lineman Award and the Big Hit
Award.
Davis, 6-3, 225, was also one of three Red Devils honored as team captains. Joining
him were halfback Eric Metz and
quarterback Zach Houchin. Metz and Davis were named first team all-LKC while
Houchin was a second team member.
Metz, who gained more than 1,100 yards this season, was named the Offensive
Player of the Year while junior Justin Price,
who was an all-LKC defensive pick, was named the Red Devils Defensive Player of
the Year.
Derek Roberts, an honorable mention all-LKC pick, was the Special Teams Player
of the Year. Roberts was the Red Devils'
place kicker for most of the season.
Coach Hupp honors "my longtime friend" and player Ryan "Goob" Fitzwater with "Most Improved Player Award"
Eric Metz designated "Best Offensive Player"
"Best Defensive Player" is Justin Price
Assistant coach Doyle Hupp made a tearful presentation of the Most Improved
Player Award to Ryan "Goob" Fitzwater,
recalling how Fitzwater was crushed under a tractor and his long battle to
recovery. Fitzwater, Hupp said, made a choice to
move from an end position to center for "the good of the team." It was, Hupp said,
an extremely mature decision.
The Academic Award went to Houchin while sophomore Paul Goodrich won the
photographer's award.
Seniors recognized for outstanding contributions
The Red Devils had seven seniors including Davis, Houchin, Metz, Roberts,
Fitzwater, Shawn Laughlin and Chris Boone.
Boone and Laughlin were honorable mention all-LKC players.
Following the awards ceremony the season highlight film was shown. The film was
made and produced by Jim Sullivan and
copies are available by contacting him.
The banquet was sponsored by the Calhoun Athletic Boosters.
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