DCHS senior Steven Jennings took Most Valuable Player of 2016 at the annual football banquet at Saturday night.
Coach Steve Trapp presented the trophy to Jennings, who earned the honor despite being sidelined by an injury just short of halfway through the season.
“This award was voted on by his teammates, Trapp told the assembly at the Smithville First Baptist Church Life Enrichment Center. “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. 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.”
Jennings completed 472 of 912 passes for 7,104 yards and 59 touchdowns with 27 interceptions in 38 games with the Tigers. He rushed for 2,483 yards in 455 carries as quarterback, scoring 27 touchdowns.
"In only four games, Steven, as quarterback, led our team in rushing. He led our team in total yards and was second in scoring,” Trapp continued. “He never missed a practice even after he got hurt. He was 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.”
Among the many achievements Jennings reached in his high-school career are:
2013:
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
2014:
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
2015:
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
Jennings is also a member of the DCHS Tiger baseball squad, and has signed to play baseball for Ole Miss.
The Most Valuable Cheerleader award went to senior Rachel Fuson.
In presenting the award, Cheer Coach Amanda Fuller said that Fuson was not only an athlete, but a scholar.
“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. Rachel shows kindness to them and in a leadership way. It’s just is a unique quality,” said Coach Fuller.
Tiger football players taking home other awards included:
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
Other Tiger cheerleader award winners were:
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
Tiger Defensive Back Bradley Miller and Punter Matthew Poss, were named to the Class 3A All-State Team by TNHIGHSCHOOLFOOTBALL.COM. Miller was also chosen by the TN Sports Writers Association to the Class 3A All-State Team and to the Tennessean 3rd Team All Mid State as defensive back.
Tigers selected to the All Herald Citizen Team 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 Tigers, along with Assistant Coach Clarence Trapp were honored for All-Region accomplishments at a December awards banquet in Cookeville, where Trapp was named the Region 4-3A Offensive Assistant Coach of the Year.
Tiger players honored were:
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
Other cheer achievements in 2016 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.
The Tigers ended the 2016 season with a 7-4 overall record and their sixth consecutive state play-off appearance, their eighth appearance in nine years.
