Tennessee Titans Mr. Football finalists
Class 1A LinemanBrant Lawless (Nashville Christian)Josh Silvey (Greenback)Class 1A BackPreston Rice (Wayne County)Kayne Roberts (Greenback)Class 2A LinemanAlex Kirkendoll (Marion County)Hunter McClain (Marion County)Class 2A BackDarius Harper (Austin-East)Cordarrian Richardson (Trezevant)Class 3A LinemanJacob Phillips (East Nashville)Jacob Rimmer (Milan)Class 3A BackHunter Davenport (Sequatchie County)Tykee Kellogg (Alcoa)Class 4A LinemanCade Mays (Knoxville Catholic)Cain McWilliams (Marshall County)Class 4A BackChase Kuerschen (Knoxville Catholic)Amari Rodgers (Knoxville Catholic)Class 5A LinemanTrevis Hopper (Memphis Central)Eli Katina (Centennial)Class 5A BackTee Higgins (Oak Ridge)Jordan Mason (Gallatin)Class 6A LinemanT.D. Blackmon (Maryville)Aubrey Miller (Whitehaven)Class 6A BackJaCoby Stevens (Oakland)Kylan Watkins (Whitehaven)Division II-A LinemanWill Lawrence (Hardin Academy)Trey Smith (USJ)Division II-A BackEric Gray (Lausanne)Chase Hayden (St. George’s)Division II-AA LinemanGriffin Hawkins (Briarcrest)Dorian Hopkins (MUS)Division II-AA BackTy Chandler (MBA)Robert Riddle (McCallie)Kicker of the YearJacob Smith (Siegel)Adam Williams (Wilson Central)
It was a scene best described as the noisiest movie theater imaginable.
Marion County football coach Joey Mathis gathered his team and staff together in the field house film room Tuesday morning to watch live on a big screen as the Tennessee Titans Mr. Football finalists were released. When Mike Keith, the voice of the Titans, announced that Warriors linebackers Alex Kirkendoll and Hunter McClain were the two finalists for Class 2A lineman of the year, the room erupted.
"We all just went nuts and started high-fiving and cheering like crazy," Mathis said. "Alex and Hunter were sitting next to each other, and they hugged and then were mobbed by the whole team jumping on them to congratulate them.
"Having both of the finalists for that award sets our program apart for a positive reason. It's a byproduct of what those kids have done on and off the field."
The two Marion players made up half the contingent of Chattanooga-area Mr. Football finalists, joined by McCallie senior quarterback Robert Riddle (Division II-AA bBack) and Sequatchie County senior Hunter Davenport (3A back).
The Titans released a list of four semifinalists in each of the TSSAA's eight classifications for back and lineman of the year awards two weeks ago. That list was narrowed to two finalists in each class Tuesday.
A committee of sports writers from throughout the state selected the finalists and winners based on regular-season performance. Academics and character also were taken into consideration.
Only one other team has both finalists in one category: Knoxville Catholic's Chase Kuerschen and Amari Rodgers are up for Class 4A back of the year. The Irish also have a finalist, Cade Mays, for that classification's lineman award.
The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Kirkendoll ranked among the area's leaders in tackles with 126 and had 11 for lost yardage, three sacks and two safeties in the regular season. On a defense that allowed just four rushing touchdowns in 10 games, the 5-11, 195-pound McClain had 73 tackles, 10 for loss and three sacks, and he also had 1,087 offensive yards and scored 15 touchdowns.
"The first person I saw when they announced it was Alex," McClain said, "and that is pretty cool to know that my teammate and I are the finalists. It's a huge honor for both of us and for our football team. But we know we've still got a bigger goal in mind, too, and that starts again this Friday."
The Warriors play at Forrest in the state quarterfinals.
Through the regular season, Riddle threw for 18 touchdowns and more than 2,400 yards.
Davenport, the first Mr. Football finalist in Sequatchie County history, was the only player in the state to be a semifinalist for both back and lineman awards in a classification. Although he did not make the cut in 3A's lineman category, the 6-2, 200-pounder is one of the two finalists for his classification's top back award after amassing more than 1,100 total yards and 20 TDs on offense. He also made 92 tackles, nine for loss, and forced four fumbles.
"He's a huge part of everything we do," Sequatchie coach Adam Caine said. "He's a guy we depend on to get a lot of yards and has been our most physical and best defensive player for two years."
All of the finalists are invited to attend the awards ceremony at the Titans' Nissan Stadium on Monday, Nov. 28, where Mr. Football awards will be presented to the top 16 backs and linemen in eight classifications, as well as the overall top kicker for all classes.
This is the 32nd year that the Mr. Football Awards have been presented.
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293. Follow him on Twitter @StephenHargis.