Approximately 125 family members and fans attended Monday night’s Parklane Academy football banquet at the school gym.
Certificates were presented to the junior high and junior varsity football teams and cheerleaders.
Seventh-grade coach Charlie Newlon thanked his players for always coming to practice, working hard and always giving great effort.
Rhonda Terrell and Laney Wallace presented awards to the JV cheerleaders, while coach Bradley Creel, Dusty Davis and Robert Young presented certificates to the junior varsity players.
Before presenting varsity awards, coach Mike Powell addressed the parents and players about the season.
In his first year as coach, Powell guided the Pioneers to an 8-3 mark. He expressed his appreciation for being given the opportunity to return to his alma mater as coach. Powell also took a phrase out of Alabama coach Nick Saban’s book,, asking his players “How good do you want to be?” He also asked his players what kind of legacy they wanted to leave behind. He said he asked the team those two same questions throughout the season.
Assistant coaches Randy Martin, Stacey Smith, Wayne Rogers, Cal Henderson and Ken Callender presented certificates to players.
Plaques were presented to senior team captains linebacker James Michael Schmidt and lineman Tyler Stutzman. Stutzman and Schmidt also were selected as MAIS All-Stars, while running back Joseph Clark was selected alternate. The All-Star game is at 4 p.m. Friday at Mississippi College.
Trophies were presented to the First- and Second-Team All-Conference selections.
First Team All-Conference picks included kick returner Justin Brent, offensive lineman Tyler Stutzman, receiver Zach Stutzman, tight end Dan Gill, Schmidt and Clark.
The Paul Ott Carruth Award went to Tyler Stutzman. Safety Seth Travis was selected for the Ernie Lawson Team Spirit Award.
Senior cheerleaders Jamie-Lyn Paulk and Sara Lea also were recognized.
Other players from the area that were named to the MAIS All-Star game include Centreville’s Randy Bell and Frasier Hogan and Amite School Center’s Aaron ‘Bull’ Toler. Jackson Prep led the South with five selections, including quarterback Ryan Buchanan, an Ole Miss commitment.
Former Parklane coach Bo Milton, who is now coaching at Winston Academy, will be the head coach for the North team. Jim Fries of Heidelberg Academy will coach the South team.
