The DeKalb County Tigers football program held its annual awards banquet last Saturday evening, honoring this past season’s top players and cheerleaders. The event was held at the Smithville First Baptist Church Life Enrichment Center, where players, cheerleaders, coaches, managers, and friends and family gathered.
The 2024 Liberty State Bank Most Valuable Player award was no surprise, presented to Tigers QB Jordan Parker. The award is voted on by the team for his outstanding play this season.
Head Coach Steve Trapp said the award was well deserving and named many of Parker’s achievements while playing with the Tigers.
“Jordan started nine games his sophomore year as quarterback, and carried the team to the playoffs. He played wide receiver his junior year, and received All Region honors as Receiver of the Year. He did whatever we needed, and he didn’t complain.”
Trapp then listed his many other accomplishments, including 1,055 yards this season in rushing with 14 rushing touchdowns, only the third DCHS QB to rush for over 1,000 yards. Parker had a total of 16 rushing touchdowns in his high school career. He had 1,246 yards in passing this season, with 17 passing touchdowns. He had over 2,000 yards passing in his career, with 26 touchdowns.
Parker was also a 2024 team Captain, a 2024 Region 4A Most Outstanding Quarterback, 2024 Farm Bureau Player of the Month, 2024 DTC All-Star, DTC Player of the Game, 2024-25 Mr. DCHS, 2024 TSAA Scholar Athlete, 2023 Receiver of the Year, 2023 All-Region, 2023 Scholar Athlete, and 2022 Offensive Back of the Year.
Parker was honored with a trophy, helmet and his jersey.
Andrew Dakas was presented with the 2024 Coach Clay Edwards Memorial Tiger Pride Award. Members of Edwards’ family were on hand to present the award to Dakas, including son Abram Edwards and Abram’s mother Tena Edwards-Jacobs, Abram’s wife, Shannon, and children Emmie Edwards, Carleigh Clay Edwards, and Harmony Edwards.
Other awards presented at the event included Ryan Lyons with the Offensive Player of the Year Award, Ty Webb as the Defensive Player of the Year, Cecil Ketchum with the Back of the Year Award, and the Receiver of the Year honor went to Jon Hendrix.
Kobe Roller was named Offensive Lineman of the Year, while the Defensive Lineman of the Year honor went to Jarett Hamilton. The Defensive Back of the Year Award went to Jesse Foutch, the Linebacker of the Year went to Isaac Hannah, and the Special Teams Player of the Year was presented to Adrian Prater.
The Most Improved Player honors went to Caydin Hecker, the Scout Team Player of the Year was Tucker Webb, and the Newcomer of the Year was given to J.T. Summers.
Coach Trapp also announced the DTC Players of the Game this season, Ryan Lyons, Jon Hendrix, and Jordan Parker, while Cecil Ketchum, Ryan Lyons, Jarett Hamilton, Ty Webb, and Jordan Parker were DTC All-Stars.
This year’s All Region 1st Team was Ryan Lyons and Ty Webb, while the 2nd Team was Cecil Ketchum and Jon Hendrix. Jarett Hamilton was named Most Outstanding Tight End, while Jordan Parker was Most Outstanding Quarterback.
Student Athlete Award of Merit 3.5 GPA or better were recognized and included; Shelby Driver, Summer Garrett, Bryson Arnold, Blaine Atnip, Hunter Ballew, Hunter Buchanan, Andrew Dakas, Jesse Foutch, Jarett Hamilton, Caydin Hecker, Jon Hendrix, Jaxson Kleparek, Adrian Prater, Jordan Parker, Kobe Roller, Connor Talley, Aiden Turner, Tucker Webb, Ty Webb, Benjamin Crook, Jackson Lattimore, Hunter Locklear, Brayden Neal, and Dominic Williamson. The team GPA was 3.2.
This year’s Most Valuable Cheerleader award was split this year, with co-winners Caroline Crook and Madeline Martin.
Macy Anderson was named Most Spirited Cheerleader, Deanna Agee was honored with the Best Stunts Award, and Landon Tubbs was awarded Best Jumps. The Best Motions Award went to Addyson Swisher and Annabella Dakas, while the Best Dancer Award was presented to Annabella Dakas.
The D.E.A.R. Award (Dedication, Enthusiasm, Attitude, and Responsibility) was split with one girl receiving one letter of the award. D went to Caroline Crook, E to Macy Anderson, A to Annabella Dakas, and R to Madison Martin.
This season’s banquet also saw a new set of awards with the crowning of the King and Queen of the field and Royalty Court. This year’s queen went to Annabella Dakas, while Andrew Dakas, Ty Webb, Jordan Parker, were named kings. The court consisted of Madeline Martin and Macy Anderson.
At the end of the ceremony, Head Coach Steve Trapp was recognized with a plaque for his 20 years as head coach of the DeKalb County Tigers. During his time at the top spot, Trapp has had 111 wins, 110 losses, and is 7-15 in playoffs.
