The DeKalb County High School football program held its annual Awards Banquet last Saturday evening, where several players, cheerleaders, and managers were honored for their efforts during the 2022 season. It was no surprise that senior Colby Barnes was named Most Valuable Player after his record-breaking season with the Tigers, while senior Hannah Trapp was named the Most Valuable Football Cheerleader.
The banquet was held at the Smithville First Baptist Church Life Enrichment Center building, where coaches and family members gathered to celebrate the Tigers season. The trophies for the ceremony were sponsored by Liberty State Bank, and were presented by Head Tiger Football Coach Steve Trapp and Cheer Coach Amanda Fuller.
For the season, Barnes had 287 carries for 2,073 yards, averaging 7.2 yards per carry. He averaged 189 yards per game with 19 touchdowns on the ground. Barnes also had nine receptions for 69 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 7.7 yards per catch.
In his career with the Tigers, Barnes had 518 carries for 3,689 yards and 41 touchdowns on the ground, averaging 100 yards per game. He had 16 receptions, for 114 yards and two touchdowns in the air.
Among his achievements, Barnes served as a 2022 Team Captain, was the 2022 Region 4-4A Offensive MVP, was 2022 TNFCA All-State, 2022 Mainstreet Preps All-State Honorable Mention, 2022 Farm Bureau Player of the Month for August, the 2022 DTC Player of the Year, a 2022 DTC All-Star, and served as the 2022-23 Mr. DCHS. In 2021, Barnes was the Offensive Player of the Year, and was the Region 4-4A Most Outstanding Defensive Lineman. In 2020, Barnes was named the Back of the Year, and was on the All Region 3-4A 2nd Team.
During the ceremony, Coach Trapp talked about Barnes’ achievements. “This year he broke records for DCHS Football. He probably had the most rushes in a season with 287. He definitely had the most yards ever rushed for in a season with 2,073. He averaged 7.2 yards every time we put the ball in his belly. He had probably the most touchdowns by a running back or rushing touchdowns in a season ever with 19. He averaged 189 yards per game.”
“In the state playoffs, he had 55 carries for 327 yards. Fifty five carries in a game is number two in the state of Tennessee all time. The record is 56. Colby was a very productive player for us. He was a load on both sides of the football and he is an excellent young man. That’s what makes this even better. Colby is not just a good football player, but he has a blue collar work ethic and we are desperately going to miss him,” said Coach Trapp.
Other players honored at the banquet included Ean Jones who was named the winner of the Coach Clay Edwards Memorial Tiger Pride Award. Son, Abram Edwards and Abram’s mother, Tena Edwards-Jacobs, were present to present the award.
Other individual Football Player Awards included:
Offensive Player of the Year - Malachi Trapp
Offensive Lineman - Ean Jones
Offensive Back - Jordan Parker
Receiver - Holden Trapp
Defensive Player of the Year - Tyler Estes
Defensive Lineman - Wil Farris
Linebacker - Ari White
Defensive Back - Ty Webb
Special Teams Player - Nolan Gottlied
Most Improved - Chris Pulley
Scout Team Player of the Year - Aaron Hatfield
Newcomer of the Year - Juan Ortega
Cheer Coach Amanda Fuller also announced this year’s Most Valuable Cheerleader, Hannah Trapp. “Hannah is someone her fellow cheerleaders look up to,” Fuller said. “She is someone they appreciate and with the characteristics they desire to have. Hannah is dependable, helpful, funny, friendly, humble, trustworthy, kind and loyal.”
“There is a quote by Maya Angelou ‘People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’ I think Hannah made her team feel appreciated and she is their friend. She gave 100 percent of herself in practices and games, and made it obvious that cheerleading was very important to her. She has been a cheerleader for me since she was in the seventh grade and she started competition cheer before that. She has battled through a back injury and disorders and has continued to be an excellent flyer and gymnast for our team for four years. She does it all with a sweet personality and a beautiful smile,” said Cheer Coach Fuller.
Other Individual Cheer Awards winners include:
Most Spirited - Macy Anderson
Best Dancer - Reese Williams
Best Stunts - Morgan Walker
DEAR (Dedication, Enthusiasm, Attitude, and Responsibility - Carlee West
Best Jumps - Ellie Dillard
Best Motions - Carlee West