Golden Tigers hand out awards at annual banquet
By Staff
Mike Self, FCT Sports Editor
The Russellville Golden Tiger football team recognized several of its members at the team's annual awards banquet on Sunday afternoon at the A.W. Todd Center.
Running backs Mike Abernathy and Kirby Nelson shared the Offensive Production Award. Abernathy, a junior, rushed for 1,527 yards and 17 touchdowns while also leading the team with 55 catches for 584 yards. Nelson, a senior, rushed for 698 yards and six scores while catching 41 passes for 359 yards.
Senior tackle Taz Tillery and sophomore center Evan Swindall won the Offensive Lineman Award.
The Special Teams Award went to junior Caleb Mitchell, who averaged 22.3 yards per punt return and 24.7 yards per kickoff return. He returned one punt for a touchdown.
Seniors Shawn Vandiver and Casey Morgan won the Meanest Tiger Award. Vandiver, a linebacker, led the team with 76 total tackles. Morgan, a defensive lineman, finished the season with 75 tackles and seven sacks.
Defensive end Seth Fergerson and defensive back Rashad Graham, both seniors, shared the Hardest Hitter Award. Fergerson recorded 50 tackles and four sacks while recovering four fumbles. Graham made 62 tackles, including 54 solo stops.
Mitchell and fellow defensive back Kelby James received the Effort on Defense Award. Mitchell led the team with six interceptions, three of which he returned for touchdowns, and James had 44 tackles and two fumble recoveries.
Senior tight end Marc Dunn won the Effort on Offense Award. Dunn didn't play his first game for the Golden Tigers until Week 6 but still finished third on the team with 23 catches for 290 yards and five touchdowns.
Tillery and Vandiver shared the Effort in the Weight Room Award, and Bradley Franklin and Alex McCluskey won the Scout Team Award.
Tillery and fellow seniors Josh Harbin and Corey Blankenship won the Team Captain Award on offense, and Morgan, Graham and Fergerson were named Team Captains on defense. Vandiver won the Team Captain Award on special teams.
The Luther Thorne Spirit Award went to senior defensive end Brett Young.
Blankenship won the Hal Kirby Sportsmanship Award, and senior receiver Patrick Hines won the Academic Award. Seniors Josh Puckett and Adam McCluskey shared the Russell Mears Memorial Award.
Morgan, who played in Russellville's quarterfinal game against J.O. Johnson despite having injured his knee the previous week, won the Touchdown Courage Award.
Bert Fowler won the Torch Award, and Richard Parker and Danny Price won the Service Award.
