The DeKalb County High School Football Program held their annual banquet and awards ceremony last Saturday evening, honoring some of last season’s top players and cheerleaders. The event was held at the Smithville First Baptist Church Life Enrichment Center building.

Taking this year’s top awards for the Tigers was senior Ari White and Ally Fuller. White was named the 2023 Most Valuable Player, while senior Fuller, was named the Most Valuable Football Cheerleader. This year’s awards were sponsored by Liberty State Bank.

Head Coach Steve Trapp talked about Ari White’s accomplishments and attitude towards the team.

“He was a big-time leader for us. I have been playing him since he was a sophomore. I had to get him on the field because he was so good. I had to put him at defensive line because we knew he was going to be the next middle linebacker. He came in and played running back when Malachi Trapp was hurt and he did a good job for us. We used him at tightend. He would always do what you asked him to do. He graduated early. It has been a pleasure to coach him. I watched him play in Junior Pro and at the Middle School,” Trapp continued. “I couldn’t wait for him to get to the high school level. When he got here, he did not disappoint.”

Cheer Coach Amanda Fuller, who is also Ally’s mother, told how Ally had been in the cheer program all of her life.

“She has shown respect to her former captains and has equally shown compassion and love to the freshmen on the team this year, I determine our captain each year based on seniority and score. I also consider their attitude, dedication to the team, and the input of my assistant coaches.”

“This girl has been around the DCHS football cheerleading program her entire life. She has been cheering since she was six years old. She has genuine crowd appeal and makes it all look natural and easy. She has participated in gymnastics and competition cheer, and now works as a tumbling instructor at Infinity Athletics. She has been an NCA All-American nominee every year in high school and she made the All-American team last year. She is so very precious to me. She makes me proud every day. I wish I could be more like her,” said Coach Fuller.

Ty Webb, a junior, was presented with the Coach Clay Edwards Memorial Tiger Pride Award. Members of Edwards’ family were on hand to present the award to Webb, including son Abram Edwards and Abram’s mother Tena Edwards-Jacobs, Abram’s wife, Shannon, and children Emmie Edwards, Carleigh Clay Edwards, and Harmony Edwards.

Other taking home football awards on the night included: Offensive Player of the Year - Malachi Trapp, Offensive Lineman - Chris Pulley, Offensive Back - Briz Trapp, Best Receiver - Jordan Parker, Defensive Player of the Year - Ty Webb, Defensive Lineman - Wil Farris, Linebacker - Andrew Dakas, Defensive Back - Trace Hamilton, Special Teams Player - Adrian Prater, Most Improved - Bryson Arnold, Scout Team Player of the Year - Kobe Roller, and Newcomer of the Year - Kevin Ahlgard.

Nine DCHS Football players also earned 2023 All-Region honors. These awards are voted on by coaches in the region. They were Most Outstanding Linebacker - Ari White, Most Outstanding Running Back - Malachi Trapp, Most Outstanding Returner - Ryon Lyons, 1st Team – Wil Farris, Ty Webb, and Briz Trapp, and 2nd Team – Jordan Parker, Chris Pulley, and Andrew Dakas.

The Tiger cheerleader award winners were, Most Spirited - Macy Anderson, Best Dancer - Addyson Swisher, Best Stunts - Annabella Dakas, DEAR (Dedication, Enthusiasm, Attitude, and Responsibility) - Jade Mabe, Best Jumps - Landen Tubbs, and Best Motions - Elaina Turner.

It was also announced that the 2023 DCHS football team will receive the TSSAA’s Distinguished Scholastic Achievement Award for attaining a team GPA of 3.28. This award is given by TSSAA to teams with a GPA of 3.25 or above.

Twenty nine members of the DCHS program including football players and managers receiving TSSAA Individual Awards for a GPA of 3.5 or greater for the last semester are Bryson Arnold, Hunter Buchanan, Colin Dickens, Jerett Hamilton, Jon Hendrix, Jordan Parker, Conner Talley, Aiden Turner, Ari White, Blaine Atnip, Wyatt Carter, Wil Farris, Aaron Hatfield, Brownie Johnson, Adrian Prater, Briz Trapp, Tucker Webb, Chase Young, Hunter Ballew, Andrew Dakas, Jesse Foutch, Caiden Hecker, Jaxon Kleparek, Kobe Roller, Bryson Trapp, Ty Webb, Shelby Driver, Abby Cross, and Sadie Moore. Fourteen of them had a GPA of 4.0.