Four area players were named Tennessee Titans Mr. Football winners on Sunday. From left to right: Bryce Hanley, Walker Russell, Cade Ballard and Deshawn Page. (Photo by Danny Parker)
Greenback quarterback Bryce Hanley, Greeneville quarterback Cade Ballard, Alcoa quarterback Walker Russell and Fulton linebacker Deshawn Page were all named Tennessee Titans Mr. Football winners on Sunday at the awards ceremony held at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.
Ballard was the only repeat winner among the four, as he took the trophy in Class 4A again.
Mr. Football awards are based on regular-season performance only, and a statewide committee of media members selects all the semifinalists, finalists and eventual winners based on their play on the field — as well as taking character and academics into account.
Hanley led Greenback to a perfect regular season, throwing for 2,110 yards and 30 touchdown passes in nine regular-season games while also rushing for 400 yards.
Hanley discusses why the moment winning Mr. Football gave him chills … VIDEO: https://youtu.be/Ibb3m-HZR30
Ballard guided Greeneville to another 10-0 regular-season mark this fall, completing 85.7 percent of his passes for 2,297 yards, 32 touchdowns and no interceptions. He also led the team in rushing touchdowns with nine. He has committed to Army.
But Ballard won’t keep his award. Here’s why … VIDEO: https://youtu.be/JBOPlZqqPKc
Russell helped steer Alcoa to 10-0 record in the regular season and only had to play in three second halves. He completed 95 of 137 passes for 1,530 yards, 23 touchdowns and two interceptions from Week 1 through Week 11.
For Russell, he joined an elite fraternity of Alcoa players who’ve won the award … VIDEO: https://youtu.be/ISBZBPwIKc8
Fulton went 9-1 in the regular season and won Region 3-5A thanks to Page’s efforts on both sides of the ball. Page, a Power 5 Conference recruit as a linebacker, made 59 tackles with 12.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions. But his spot running back duties produced 525 yards and five touchdowns for the Falcons.
Page said winning Mr. Football was ‘unbelievable’ … VIDEO: https://youtu.be/KYawBoz9m8s
Local players finishing as Mr. Football finalists were: Anderson County quarterback Stanton Martin (Class 4A) and Oak Ridge quarterback/defensive back Herbert Booker (Class 5A).
HERE is a list of winners and finalists …
Class 1A
Bryce Hanley (Greenback) — winner
Dezmon Johnson (Lake County)
Cameron Whitaker (Cornersville)
Class 2A
Aaron Stafford (Meigs County) — winner
Jeremiah Batiste (Tyner)
J.D. Dixon (Waverly)
Class 3A
Walker Russell (Alcoa) — winner
Kam Harris-Lusk (Fairview)
Xavier Shepherd (Pearl-Cohn)
Class 4A
Cade Ballard (Greeneville) — winner
Stanton Martin (Anderson County)
Bobo Hodges (Maplewood)
Class 5A
Deshawn Page (Fulton) — winner
Herbert Booker (Oak Ridge)
Cade Larkins (David Crockett)
Class 6A
Devon Starling (Cane Ridge) — winner
Xavier Myers (Oakland)
T.J. Sheffield (Independence)
Division II-A
Stone Norton (Davidson) — winner
Da’Joun Hewitt (Davidson)
Rube Scott Rhea (Fayette Academy)
Division II-AA
Eric Gray (Lausanne) — winner
Cam Wynn (Notre Dame)
Noah Henderson (CPA)
Division II-AAA
Maurice Hampton (MUS) — winner
Bill Norton (Christian Bros)
Omari Thomas (Briarcrest)
Kicker of the Year
Mason Lafollette (East Hamilton)
Garrett Taylor (Oakland) — winner
Zaden Webb (Rossview)