Signal Mountain’s dominance in high school football has earned statewide recognition, and now two of the school’s seniors have earned individual acclaim. The Eagles have finalists in both the Class A Mr. Football Back and Lineman of the Year categories, with quarterback Hogan Whitmire and linebacker Gervell Morgan.
Baylor quarterback Jacob Huesman was named a finalist for the Division II-AA Back of the Year award for a second straight season.
The awards will be given at a Nov. 29 banquet in Murfreesboro.
2010 Tennessee Titans Mr. Football FinalistsClass A LinemanDavis Frank, Grace ChristianGervell Morgan, Signal MountainColin Vinson, McKenzieClass AA LinemanDerek Evans, AlcoaJordan Murphy, CamdenDarrell Warren, AlcoaClass AAA LinemanKyler Kerbyson, Knoxville CatholicRyan Mack, WooddaleDeon Meadows, SmyrnaDivision II-A LinemanCabell Brown, St. George’sHunter Little, Knoxville WebbSpencer Pulley, Evangelical ChristianDivision II-AA LinemanWoody Baron, Brentwood AcademyKeenen Crenshaw, EnsworthHenry Dickinson, Memphis Univ. SchoolClass A BackTyler Rice, Wayne CountyJacob Tucker, Perry CountyHogan Whitmire, Signal MountainClass AA BackWilliam Carmichael, GreenevilleVanderbilt Hambrick, AlcoaAndy Hibbett, GibbsClass AAA BackI’Tavius Mathers, BlackmanJaylen Walton, RidgewayDevrin Young, BeardenDivision II-A BackMatt Brown, Harding AcademyJake Overbey, Univ. School, JacksonJustin Williams, Davidson AcademyDivision II-AA BackToby Baker, MUSCornelius Elder, EnsworthJacob Huesman, BaylorKicker of the YearKyle Mitchell, ArlingtonSpencer Roth, Knoxville CatholicZach Sharp, Maryville
Whitmire and Morgan are the Eagles’ first Mr. Football finalists.
Despite missing two games with seven cracked ribs, Morgan finished the regular season with 88 solo tackles and 28 assists. He also intercepted two passes, returning one for a touchdown, and recovered three fumbles, also returning one of those for a score, helping the Eagles (10-0) win nine games by the state’s 35-point mercy rule.
After winning its first district championship, Signal Mountain earned a first-round bye in the Class 2A playoffs and will open Friday at home against Friendship Christian.
Whitmire once was thought to be Baylor’s quarterback of the future. But when Signal Mountain began its program two years ago, Whitmire, who had grown up on the mountain, elected to go to the public school. He gave up a year of varsity competition in transferring but has led the Eagles to a 20-2 record the last two seasons after one year of a junior varsity schedule.
“It’s quite an honor for both of those kids and for our program as a whole,” Eagles coach Bill Price said. “Gervell really battled through a tough injury and has been a big-time player for us for a couple of years now, and Hogan makes us go on offense.”
Huesman transferred to Baylor before his junior season, after his father took over as head coach at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Russ Huesman knew Baylor coach Phil Massey from the years when both coached in Memphis, Huesman at the University of Memphis and Massey at the high school level.
“To be honest, I didn’t have much say in where I was going to school,” Jacob Huesman said. “My parents told me about Baylor, the school and the football program, and I said, ‘That sounds like the place for me.’ The fact that they were unsettled on a quarterback [with Whitmire’s departure] didn’t really have anything to do with why I came here. I’m not afraid of competition, and I was going to have to win the job no matter where I went.”
Huesman was good enough not only to win the job as a junior but to become a Mr. Football finalist. He also qualified for the state track meet in the 100 meters and the long jump.
“Anything Jacob gets as far as awards, he has earned,” Massey said. “Jacob has been the perfect model of how to fit in and earn respect as a new transfer. He came in and worked hard, bonded with his teammates, competed and won the job. We in no way could have anticipated what he has meant to our program, but he’s such an explosive runner and has been very impressive with his talents and understanding of the game for two years.
“A lot of where we are right now is because of Jacob, so I’m really glad he and his family chose to be at Baylor.”
While Baylor has had two players win the Lineman of the Year award, Huesman would be the program’s first to be a Back of the Year. He has rushed for 1,325 yards and 18 touchdowns, averaging 9.5 yards per carry, and thrown for 788 yards and four TDs. Baylor hosts McCallie in a second-round playoff game Friday.
Whitmire has completed 72 of 115 passes for 1,765 yards and 22 TDs and has gone eight games without an interception.
“Hogan grew up on the mountain and was willing to give up a shot at winning the varsity job at Baylor to come here, play jayvee for a year, and now his work is paying off,” Price said. “Being a Mr. Football finalist at any level is a huge honor. Now our kids will realize that our program is being looked at across the state. Hogan has set the bar really high for the guys who come after him.”
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293.