Talented DCHS Quarterback Steven Jennings, a senior, was named Most Valuable Player of the 2016 Tiger Football Team during the annual Awards Banquet held Saturday night at the Smithville First Baptist Church Life Enrichment Center building.
The MVP trophy was presented to Jennings by Coach Steve Trapp. Jennings, whose high school career ended midway through the season after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the game at Smith County, earned the MVP award for his entire body of work at DCHS according to Tiger Coach Steve Trapp.
“This award was voted on by his teammates. This is something he deserves. He has been the face of our program for four years. He’s just one of those all time great football players here. Steven was definitely a special player for us from day one as a freshman. Unfortunately he got hurt this season and only played in four and a half games. If that had not happened he would now hold every quarterback record here. I wish he could have stayed healthy but one of the greatest things about our whole season was not only how he handled that situation but how his teammates handled it as well. Steven was still a tremendous leader for us even after that. He never missed a practice. He came to the game the day he had surgery. Steven is not just a great football player but a great guy. He is just one of those football players that people in DeKalb County will remember for a long time,” said Coach Trapp.
In his 38 game high school career as quarterback, Jennings completed 472 of 912 passes for 7,104 yards and 59 touchdowns with 27 interceptions. Jennings also had 2,483 yards rushing as quarterback in 455 carries and 27 touchdowns.
In 2013, Jennings received the following awards:
1st Team All District 8AA
Most Outstanding Quarterback in District 8AA
DCHS Offensive Back of the Year
1st Team Quarterback on the All Upper Cumberland Offensive Team
In 2014, Jennings earned more honors:
1st Team All District 8AA
Most Outstanding Quarterback in District 8AA
DTC Player of the Year
DCHS Offensive Player of the Year
1st Team Quarterback on the All Upper Cumberland Offensive Team
In 2015, Jennings received the following honors:
1st Team All Region 4-3A
All Region 4-3A Offensive Player of Year
Examiner.com Class 3A All State Quarterback
TN Sports Writers Association Class 3A All State Quarterback
DTC Player of the Year
1st Team Quarterback on the All Upper Cumberland Offensive Team
“For 2016 in only four games, Steven, as quarterback, led our team in rushing. He led our team in total yards and was second in scoring and he never missed a practice even after he got hurt. He was also named 1st Team All Region this year by the coaches even though he only played in two district games. He was also named to the All Herald Citizen Team this year even though he only played in four games,” added Coach Trapp.
Jennings, who is also a member of the DCHS baseball team, has signed to play baseball for the Ole Miss Rebels after he graduates.
The Tiger football team finished the season in November with an overall record of 7-4 and another appearance in the state play-offs. It was the sixth consecutive year the Tigers earned a berth in the state play-offs and their eighth appearance in the last nine years. The Tigers lost in the first round of the TSSAA Class 3A Football Play-Offs in Smithville to East Ridge on November 4. The final score was 23-18.
Meanwhile, Rachel Fuson, a senior, was named Most Valuable Cheerleader at the football banquet Saturday night. The presentation was made by Cheer Coaches Amanda Fuller and Sonya House.
“Rachel is an outstanding student and cheerleader. She has been a cheerleader for four years. She is above a 4.0 student and is in the running for Valedictorian. She was elected by the entire school as Miss DCHS. Rachel has great character, great work ethic, and of course is extremely talented to even be considered for this. The MVC was voted on by the girls (cheerleaders). Rachel shows kindness to them and in a leadership way. It’s just is a unique quality,” said Coach Fuller.
Other individual Football Player Awards are as follows:
Offensive Player of the Year- Tyler Cantrell
Offensive Lineman- Eli Cross
Offensive Back- Colton Seifert
Receiver- Christian Pruitt
Defensive Player of the Year-Bradley Miller
Defensive Lineman- Tayvian Nokes
Linebacker- Matthew Judkins
Defensive Back- Riley Sexton
Special Teams Player-Matthew Poss
Most Improved- Justin Perricone
MVP-Steven Jennings
Coach Clay Edwards Memorial Tiger Pride Award-Luke Green
Individual Cheer Awards are as follows:
Best Stunts- Lexie Bates
Most Spirited- Grace Odom
Best Jumps- Kaitlyn Roller
Best Dance-Rosa Payne
Most Improved- Sarah Carver
MVC- Rachel Fuson
DEAR (Dedication, Enthusiasm, Attitude, and Responsibility)-Susan Webb
The DCHS Football Cheerleaders earned other honors during the year. According to Coach Fuller, their other awards and accomplishments include:
*The 2016 National Cheerleaders Association Top Team
*Technical Excellence Awards for stunts and motions
*Five girls named to the NCA All-American Team including Kaitlyn Roller, Lexie Bates, Rachel Fuson, Rosa Payne, and Allison Maynard
*Kaitlyn Roller-Top All American
*Three were asked to sign with NCA Staff: Kaitlyn Roller, Rosa Payne, and Lexie Bates
*Individual Leadership Award-given to the Captain with the best leadership skills- Rachel Fuson
*Four performed at Walt Disney World in the Spirit Spectacular Parade including Rosa Payne, Kaitlyn Roller, Lexie Bates, and Allison Maynard.
Two Tiger football players, Defensive Back Bradley Miller and Punter Matthew Poss, were recently named to the Class 3A All State Team by TNHIGHSCHOOLFOOTBALL.COM
Miller, as defensive back, was also selected by the TN Sports Writers Association to the Class 3A All State Team and to the Tennessean 3rd Team All Mid State.
Tigers selected to the All Herald Citizen Team from the Upper Cumberland Area were:
1st Team Punter Matthew Poss
2nd team Defensive Line Tayvian Nokes and Devin Bain
Honorable Mention Quarterbacks Steven Jennings and Tyler Cantrell
Honorable Mention Wide Receiver Matthew Poss
Honorable Mention Offensive Line Eli Cross, Luke Green, Devin Zaderiko, Gage Delape
Honorable Mention Linebacker Nick May
Honorable Mention Defensive Back Bradley Miller and Riley Sexton.
Thirteen players on the 2016 DCHS football team and Assistant Coach Clarence Trapp were recognized in December for All-Region honors during an awards banquet in Cookeville.
Trapp was named the Region 4-3A Offensive Assistant Coach of the Year.
Tiger players honored were as follows:
Region 4-3A Most Outstanding Linebacker Nick May
Region 4-3A Most Outstanding Defensive Lineman Tayvian Nokes
Region 4-3A Most Outstanding Defensive Back Bradley Miller
Region 4-3A Most Outstanding Tight End Christian Pruitt
Region 4-3A Most Outstanding Punter Matthew Poss
Region 4-3A 1st Team All Region Eli Cross
Region 4-3A 1st Team All Region Luke Green
Region 4-3A 1st Team All Region Steven Jennings
Region 4-3A 1st Team All Region Riley Sexton
Region 4-3A 1st Team All Region Devin Zaderiko
Region 4-3A 2nd Team All Region Devin Bain
Region 4-3A 2nd Team All Region Gage Delape
Region 4-3A 2nd Team All Region Tyler Cantrell
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