For the second year in a row, the Chattanooga area has seven players who have been named Tennessee Titans Mr. Football semifinalists. Five players in each of the state’s nine classifications plus five for the overall kicker award earned semifinalist honors Thursday, and three finalists for each category will be announced at noon EST on Tuesday, Nov. 19.
Meigs County quarterback Aaron Swafford and McCallie quarterback DeAngelo Hardy are the only two area players who were semifinalists last year as well.
Swafford, who has committed to the Naval Academy, was a finalist as a sophomore and won the Class 2A award last year. He is joined on the list of 2A semifinalists by Tyner’s Martavius Ryals, a quarterback and defensive back.
Meanwhile, McCallie’s Hardy and Baylor running back Elijah Howard in Division II-AAA, Boyd Buchanan quarterback Eli Morris (DII-AA) and South Pittsburg running back Ronto Tipton (1A) are also semifinalists. East Hamilton’s Alen Karajic is one of five players chosen from among all classes as a semifinalist for kicker of the year.
The three finalists for each award, who will be announced by “Voice of the Titans” Mike Keith on the team’s website (titansonline.com), will be invited to attend the awards luncheon at Nissan Stadium, where the winners will be revealed on Monday, Dec. 2.