MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Typically cool under pressure while on the football field, Jacob Huesman stood on shaky legs Monday afternoon. Baylor’s senior quarterback admitted he was nervous as he waited to hear the announcement of the state’s Division II-AA Mr. Football back of the year.
Even when Huesman’s name was called, and he became the first Baylor player to win a TSSAA top-back award, he barely allowed the hint of a smile.
“I was pretty nervous,” said Huesman, surrounded by teammates and well-wishers inside the Murfreesboro Embassy Suites ballroom. “I don’t even remember hearing my name called. It’s a great feeling. Being the first back to win it at Baylor is something to be really proud of, but I think this is more of a team accomplishment.”
There were three finalists for the top back and top lineman in five classifications, and Huesman was one of three area players in that group, but the only award winner. The other local finalists were Signal Mountain quarterback Hogan Whitmire and Eagles linebacker Gervell Morgan in Class 2A. They are the first finalists in the short history of Signal Mountain’s program.
Two former Baylor players have been Mr. Football linemen of the year.
Huesman, who transferred to Baylor before his junior season after his father took over as head coach at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, has led the Red Raiders to a state championship game for the first time since 1977. In nine regular-season games, Huesman rushed for 1,325 yards and 18 touchdowns, averaging 9.5 yards per carry, and threw for 788 yards and four TDs.
Baylor will play Ensworth for the state championship Thursday at 8 p.m. EST at Tennessee Tech, and Signal Mountain plays Trinity Christian at 1 p.m. Saturday at TTU for the Class 2A title. South Pittsburg also plays for a state title in 1A, Friday at 1 EST.
Staff Photo by Dan Henry/Chattanooga Times Free Press Baylor quarterback Jacob Huesman (14) was named Mr. Football Back of the Year winner Monday, winning the Division II-AA award.“I’m certainly thankful to the Huesmans for choosing Baylor, and I’m really thankful to UTC for hiring Russ and bringing the family to town in the first place,” Baylor coach Phil Massey said with a grin. “Jacob takes it all in stride and deflects all the attention on to his teammates. Those are the type kids you’re glad to see get noticed for their accomplishments.”
Despite missing two games with seven cracked ribs, Morgan finished the regular season with 86 solo tackles and 36 assists. He also intercepted two passes, returning one for a touchdown, and recovered three fumbles, also returning one of those for a score.
“As soon as I realized my name wasn’t called, my first thought was we still have a bigger trophy to play for,” Morgan said. “The state championship is all that really matters to any of us this week.”
Whitmire gave up a year of varsity competition in transferring but has led the Eagles to a 23-2 record the last two seasons after one year of a junior varsity schedule. In the regular season this year, he completed 72 of 115 passes for 1,765 yards and 22 TDs and went eight games without an interception. He helped the Eagles win nine regular-season games by the state’s 35-point mercy rule.
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293.
2010 Mr. Football Award winners
Class A Back of the Year
Winner: Tyler Rice (Wayne County)
Finalists: Jacob Tucker (Perry County), Hogan Whitmire (Signal Mountain)
Class A Lineman of the Year
Winner: Davis Frank (Knoxville Grace)
Finalists: Gervell Morgan (Signal Mountain), Colin Vinson (McKenzie)
Class AA Back of the Year
Winner: Williams Carmichael (Greeneville)
Finalists: Vanderbilt Hambrick (Alcoa), Andy Hibbett (Gibbs)
Class AA Lineman of the Year
Winner: Darrell Warren (Alcoa)
Finalists: Derek Evans (Alcoa), Jordan Murphy (Camden Central)
Class AAA Back of the Year
Winner: Devrin Young (Bearden)
Finalists: I’Tavius Mathers (Blackman), Jaylen Walton (Ridgeway)
Class AAA Lineman of the Year
Winner: Kyler Kerbyson (Knoxville Catholic)
Finalists: Ryan Mack (Wooddale), Deon Meadows (Smyrna)
Division II-A Back of the Year
Winner: Jake Overbey (University School of Jackson)
Finalists: Matt Brown (Harding Academy), Justin Williams (Davidson Academy)
Division II-A Lineman of the Year
Winner: Spencer Pulley (Evangelical Christian)
Finalists: Cabell Brown (St. George’s), Hunter Little (Knoxville Webb)
Division II-AA Back of the Year
Winner: Jacob Huesman (Baylor)
Finalists: Toby Baker (MUS), Cornelius Elder (Ensworth)
Division II-AA Lineman of the Year
Winner: Henry Dickinson (Memphis University School)
Finalists: Woody Baron (Brentwood Academy), Keenen Crenshaw (Ensworth)
Kicker of the Year
Winner: Zach Sharp (Maryville)
Finalists: Kyle Mitchell (Arlington), Spencer Roth (Knoxville Catholic)