With the 2021 DCHS Tiger football season now in the books, the program held an awards banquet last Saturday evening at the Smithville First Baptist Church Life Enrichment Center building to celebrate the team’s accomplishments and recognize some of the program’s outstanding participants. Both players and cheerleaders were honored during the event.
It was no surprise that Isaac Knowles was named as the Tiger Most Valuable Player at the event. Knowles played offense and defense, and even took over quarterback duties for a time during the season. He had 72 receptions for 1,030 yards and six touchdowns in 2021, as well as having 104 rushes for 882 yards and 15 touchdowns. Knowles also recorded 30 returns for 644 yards and one touchdown, and even had 13 passing attempts with seven completions for 155 yards and two touchdowns.
Defensively, Knowles had 47 tackles and 42 assists, with seven interceptions and one touchdown.
Knowles also made school history, playing in 47 football games, the most ever by any Tiger, and has played eight playoff games for DeKalb, also a record. He has also had three first round playoff victories, another record, while also recording a record four playoff wins with the Tigers. Knowles is also second in school history for 26 wins with the team.
Knowles was named as the Region 4-4A Offensive Player of the Year, named to the Tennessee Football Coaches’ Association’s All-State Team, and selected to play in the East-West All-Star Classic at Austin Peay.
During his four years with DCHS, Knowles had a total of 154 receptions for 2,308 yards in 47 games, had 80 returns for 1,388 yards and two touchdowns, and 109 rushes for 893 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Over his high school career, Knowles has been named four time All Region 1st Team (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021), two time 4A All State (2020 and 2021), two time 4A All Region Most Outstanding Defensive Back (2019 and 2020), 2021 All Region Offensive MVP, 2018 Team Voted Defensive Player of the Year, 2019 and 2020 Team Voted Defensive Back of the Year, FirstBank Player of the Week (November 2020), 2021 DTC Player of the Year, 2021 DTC All Star Team, 2021 TACA All Star Game Participant, 2021 Blue Gray Game Selection, and 2021 Team Captain.
“Isaac has set a standard for the record books at DeKalb County High School football,” said Tiger Head Coach Steve Trapp during the banquet. “He has also set a standard for the type of young man he is and has been an example for these guys who are playing behind him to live up to that standard. Isaac has left a great legacy here, and as of this morning he will be a Tennessee Tech Golden Eagle next year.”
The other top award of the night was presented to Tiger senior cheerleader Addison Puckett. She walked away with the Most Valuable Football Cheerleader Award.
DCHS Cheer Coach Amanda Fuller presented Puckett with the award saying, “Addison is not just someone with great talent and has been a great friend and leader, she is a fantastic role model and leads by example. She put so much pressure on herself to make sure she knew the material and worked as hard, or harder, than others. She wanted to please everyone and made sure she was a person others could look up to. When I look up other words for valuable, I find words like worthy, helpful, appreciated, cherished, treasured, respected, and admired. To me Addison has been all of those this year.”
The trophies, sponsored by Liberty State Bank, were presented to Knowles and Puckett respectively by Tiger Football Coach Steve Trapp and Cheer Coach Amanda Fuller.
Senior Isaiah Harrington was presented with the Coach Clay Edwards Memorial Tiger Pride Award during the event. Harrington, who was unable to attend, was presented the award by members of Edwards’ son and daughter, Abram Edwards and Sarah Rathbone, and their mother Tena Edwards-Jacobs.
Harrington was also named as the Defensive Player of the Year, as well as the Region 4, Class 4A Most Outstanding Linebacker.
Others honored at the banquet were:
Offensive Player of the Year - Colby Barnes
Offensive Lineman of the Year - Diego Coronado
Back of the Year - Nathaniel Crook
Receiver of the Year - John Ellis
Defensive Lineman of the Year - Wil Farris
Linebacker of the Year - Tyler Estes
Defensive Back of the Year - Brady Hale
Special Teams Player of the Year - Nolan Gottlied
Most Improved Player of the Year - Shadie Rankhorn
Scout Team Player of the Year - Jonathan Garcia
Newcomer of the Year - Ty Webb
The 2021 All-Region honors were also recognized during the banquet, with 10 DCHS Football players named. Isaac Knowles was named the Offensive Most Valuable Player in Region 4, Class 4A, while Isaiah Harrington was named the region’s Most Outstanding Linebacker. Colby Barnes was presented with the Most Outstanding Defensive Lineman award, while Diego Coronado was named Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman.
Tyler Estes, Brady Hale, Silas Cross, and Wil Farris were named All Region 1st Team from DeKalb County, while Ean Jones and Shadie Rankhorn were named All Region 2nd Team.
DTC was also on hand to present their Player of the Year award to Isaac Knowles. The DTC All Star Team members were Isaac Knowles, Diego Coronado, Brady Hale, and Isaiah Harrington.
The Tiger Football cheerleaders were also recognized with individual awards. Along with MVC Addison Puckett, the D.E.A.R. Award (Dedication, Enthusiasm, Attitude, and Responsibility was presented to Bella France. The Most Spirited honor was presented to Sadie West, while Best Stunts went to Addison Roller. Kiersten Robinson was recognized for Best Jumps, while Haidyn Hale won the award for Best Cheer. The Best Dancer award went to Hannah Trapp.
