Bulldog Banquet Honors Athletes

On Thursday January 25th, The THS Football and Cheer teams enjoyed a banquet to close out the season and present special awards.

The football team had a remarkable year led by an amazing group of twenty seniors who will graduate this spring. The seniors of the team were recognized and presented with a football that had their name, jersey number, and Class of 2018. That group included Jackson Walters, Aidan Brock, Colton Duncan, Braxden Peace, Jarret Gill, Logan Blevins, Branson Bowman, Austin Southerland, Jaime Lainez, Cole Phillips, Tanner Railey, Elder Morales, Jayce Harrice, Blade Reynolds, Braeden Peace, Nick McGhee, Julian Smith, Cody LuAllen, Noah Deparlier, and Cameron Carter.

In addition to all the seniors, many individual players were also given various awards. The Stacy Searels Award went to Austin Southerland, The Bulldog Achievement award went to Cody LuAllen, and each player who made the All-Region Football Team was recognized. The team captains were also recognized. The team chose the following players for this award: Cole Phillips, Braxden Peace, Logan Blevins, and Jackson Walters.

Logan Blevins was also recognized for his outstanding accomplishment for being selected on the All State Football Team and having an article written on him in the Atlanta Free Press. Blevins was also welcomed into the exclusive 1,000 yard club.

Jarret Gill was recognized as well for setting numerous passing yard records for Trion High School. He has set the career passing record with 3,750 yards, as well as the career passing touchdowns record with 35 touchdowns. Coach Justin Brown added, “He basically owns every single year passing record that Trion High School quarterbacks set before him.”

The Takeaway Belt went to Junior Hagen Willingham.

The THS Cheerleaders had a phenomenal year as well, placing 2nd in the State. Numerous girls received letterman jackets, including freshmen Autumn Hammonds, Tabitha Neal, Haley Saylor, Summer Vaughn, and Julia Wilson, sophomore Isabelle Walters, and junior Amber Kendrick.

The competition team all received medals and patches acknowledging them as GHSA Class A Public State Cheerleading Runners-up. They also recognized all the seniors, Sydney Stallings, Shannon Croft, and Abby Paseur, and gave each one a special gift.

Although the cheerleading team doesn’t give individual awards, they did make the several recognition. Sydney Stallings was named to the Top 40 GCCA Cheerleader of the year. Gabbi Carroll was recognized for receiving All On Georgia Player of the Week, and Breanna Tucker and Kaitlin Montgomery both were recognized for being on the GACA All Star Spirit Squad.

“It has been a wonderful season with this special group of girls. They worked so hard and gave it everything they had all season. We wish our seniors the best as they move on to the next exciting part of their lives. The rest of the team is already working for next season.  You can rest assured the Bulldogs will be back and stronger than before,” Coach Pam Bridges said.

The cheerleading team recognized David Helms “Mutt” for all of his years of service to the 50-Yard Club. The team recognized bus drivers, Marcia Thompson and Lester Gaylon, and Rachel Trundle the team’s trainer and choreographer, Grant Magness.

A dinner provided by the 50-Yard Club helped make it a wonderful way to  celebrate a great year for these teams and their families.

By: Natalie Peterson