The 2020 DeKalb County High School Football Tigers had a historic season, and players, cheerleaders, coaches and managers gathered last Saturday evening to honor the teams and some of the outstanding participants at their annual Awards Banquet. The event, held at the Smithville First Baptist Church Life Enrichment Center building, held a dinner for the team and family members.
The 2020 Tigers were the first DCHS football team to win a regular season regional championship, beating Macon County, and the first to host back to back state playoff football games in Smithville. The Tigers ended the season in the second round of the state playoffs, at 7-5, with one loss to Cumberland County due to a forfeit as a result of Covid-19.
During the ceremony, Senior quarterback Axel Aldino was named as the Most Valuable Player, while senior cheerleader Talon Billings received the Most Valuable Cheerleader Award.
Head Coach Steve Trapp presented the award to Aldino, saying, “In his four year, 40-game career as quarterback, Axel threw for 61 touchdowns and had 5,848 passing yards. He completed 369 passes out of 639 attempts with 22 interceptions and 43 sacks. Aldino had 472 carries running the ball for 2,024 yards and 24 touchdowns. A job well done.”
Among Aldino’s high school football acheivments were:
2020: Region 3-4A MVP and 1st Team All Region
2020: Tennessee Football Coaches Association All State
2020: DTC Player of the Year
2020: Mr. Football Semi-Finalist
2020: Tennessee Athletic Coaches Association All-Star Combine Invitee
2020: Tennessee Football Coaches Association Division 1 Class 4A All State Team
2020: Preseason Academic All American
2020: Preseason All State (Murphy Fair)
2020: 615 Preps All Area Offense 1st Team
2020: 615 Preps Player of the Week
University of Central Missouri Football Commit
Team voted Offensive Player of the Year in 2018 and 2019
Region 3-4A Offensive Player of the Year in 2019 and 1st Team All Region
Region 3-4A Most Outstanding Quarterback in 2018 and 1st Team All Region
2020-21 Quarterback for Team Tennessee 7 on 7
Tiger Cheer Coach Amanda Fuller presented Billings her award, saying “She has been cheering for a very long time at school and in competitions. She cheered for basketball at middle school, but thankfully changed to football cheering in high school ... From the first day she has been one of the easiest people to work with and for others to get along with. She is always smiling and respectful to others. When it comes to stunts she is always willing to try whatever we ask her to do. Her experience and talent have given her the ability to be successful in most of the things we have asked her to do. She has been an example to her team on how to work hard and persevere and not worry about the little things. We will certainly miss seeing her in the air and cheering on the sidelines.”
Other Tiger players honored included Jasper Kleparek, who received the Coach Clay Edwards Memorial Tiger Pride Award. The award was presented by Edwards’ family, son Abram Edwards, daughter Sarah Rathbone, and their mother, Tena Edwards-Jacobs.
Kleparek was also named as the Special Teams Player of the Year, as well as the All-Region Most Outstanding Kicker honor. Kleparek, a soccer player, joined the team just this season after the team found itself in desperate need of a kicker. During his time with the team, he never missed an extra point or field goal in eleven games.
Other Football Players honored at the ceremony were:
Offensive Player of the Year - Desmond Nokes
Offensive Lineman - Caven Ponder
Offensive Back - Colby Barnes
Receiver - Trevonte (T.J.) Alexander
Defensive Player of the Year - Isaiah Harrington
Defensive Lineman - Evan Jones
Linebacker - Aidan Curtis
Defensive Back - Isaac Knowles
Special Teams Player - Jasper Kleparek
Most Improved - Silas Cross
MVP - Axel Aldino
Coach Clay Edwards Memorial Tiger Pride Award - Jasper Kleparek
Scout Team Player of the Year - Ari White
Newcomer of the Year - Wil Farris
Seventeen players and four coaches also earned All-Region honors in Region 3-4A.
Tiger Coach Steve Trapp was the Region’s Coach of the Year, while members of his staff earned the following region honors:
Offensive Assistant Coach Michael Shaw, Defensive Assistant Coach Thomas Cagle, and Special Teams Coach Corey Rathbone.
Tiger players with Region honors were:
Most Valuable Player - Axel Aldino
Defensive MVP - Isaiah Harrington
Offensive MVP - Desmond Nokes
Most Outstanding Defensive Back - Isaac Knowles
Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman - Caven Ponder
Most Outstanding Wide Receiver - Trevonte (TJ) Alexander
Most Outstanding Kicker - Jasper Kleparek
All Region 1st Team - Evan Jones, Peyton Leaf, Diego Coronado, Bryan Portillo, Ean Jones, and Aiden Curtis.
All Region 2nd Team: Colby Barnes, Josh May, Antwon McCoy, and Wil Ferris.
Individual Cheerleading awards were:
Most Valuable Cheerleader - Talon Billings
Most Spirited - Sadie West
Best Dancer - Keirstine Robinson
Best Cheer - Presley Agee
Best Stunts - Hannah Trapp
DEAR (Dedication, Enthusiasm, Attitude, and Responsibility) - Presley Agee
Best Jumps - Addison Puckett
