PLAYER OF THE YEAR

DAVID HELTON

There was no question that the Baylor senior would play college football, and he knew where before the season started, having made an early commitment to Duke coach David Cutcliffe. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound middle linebacker led Baylor defenders the past

two seasons and finished this year with 119 tackles.

"David knows he's going to play at the next level and where, and it is a great example of what hard work and perseverance will accomplish," Red Raiders coach Phil Massey said. "He was a cornerstone for our defense all season long.

He came ready to play every week. He was a captain, he conducted himself as a captain, and this year he came to every game mentally and physically prepared."

COACH OF THE YEAR

BILL PRICE

Price's Signal Mountain team got to the state championship game faster than any new school in TSSAA history and rebounded from a 21-7 deficit for a 56-28 win in the Class 2A final. The Eagles posted a 14-0 record this season, making them 24-2 in the program's two varsity seasons.

"Winning the state is huge - for the kids, the community, the assistant coaches and me. These kids committed to being in the weight room and doing all the little things that make for a team's success," Price said. "You have to have great players to win a state championship.

I have coached some great teams, and what it always comes down to is having the good athletes, but more importantly having the good kids."

FIRST TEAM

Kelvin Clay III

RED BANK

Senior back

He had five interceptions and returned two for TDs and made 28 tackles. As a receiver he had 34 catches.

Jarrod Coleman

MCCALLIE

Senior lineman

Moving from linebacker to end, the UTC commitment had 86 tackles, including 10 for loss and three sacks.

Tevin Cowan

TYNER

Senior lineman

He had 88 tackles with 11.5 sacks and 18 tackles for loss and also contributed 400 receiving yards.

Brandon Henry

SILVERDALE BAPTIST

Senior punter

Also a lineman for the Seahawks, he averaged 43.6 yards on 30 punts.

Travis Jones

TYNER

Senior back

One of the Rams' most versatile players, he had an interception plus more than 1,500 yards of offense.

Ross Keasler

BOYD-BUCHANAN

Senior linebacker

He had 133 tackles with 18 for loss, four sacks and three interceptions, one of which he returned for a TD.

John Mackey

BAYLOR

Senior lineman

He had 48 tackles, four sacks, 11 tackles for loss, an interception, two fumbles caused and two recovered.

Gervell Morgan

SIGNAL MOUNTAIN

Senior linebacker

He had 120 tackles, 11 for loss, two interceptions, two fumbles caused, five recoveries and three defensive TDs.

Stefan Nelson

EAST RIDGE

Senior linebacker

He had 164 solo stops with 29 for loss, 10.5 sacks, six fumbles caused, two recoveries and an interception.

Izaiah Rutledge

RED BANK

Senior lineman

His 51 tackles included 16 lost-yardage hits and five sacks, and he caused a fumble and recovered one.

Elijah Turnage

SIGNAL MOUNTAIN

Sophomore lineman

He led Eagles linemen with 86 tackles, seven sacks and five tackles for loss.

Sean Neal

TYNER

Senior back

He had seven interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns.

SECOND TEAM

JAKE ABLES Soddy-Daisy Junior Lineman

ZACK BOWMAN Signal Mountain Junior Linebacker

KEVIN DOSSETT Tyner Senior Lineman

BUCK FERGUSON Baylor Senior Lineman

HORACE HECTOR Howard Senior Defensive back

CLARENCIO HOLMES Hixson Junior Linebacker

BEN JOHNSTON McCallie Senior Defensive back

DEOSHA MCCOLLEY Baylor Junior Defensive back

WILL SAWYER Signal Mountain Senior Lineman

DAMEIAN SUTTLES Tyner Senior Linebacker

ANDREW TALLENT Boyd-Buchanan Senior Punter

JOHN TIPTON Baylor Junior Linebacker

TEAMS OF THE YEAR

1 SIGNAL MOUNTAIN (14-0)

The second-year program was undefeated, averaged better than a point per minute and won the Class 2A state title.

2 BAYLOR (10-2)

The Red Raiders made it to the Division II-AA state final and secured the school's first 10-win season since 1991.

3 BOYD-BUCHANAN (10-5)

The Buccaneers had a five game win streak to reach the Class 2A state semifinals before falling to Signal Mountain.