Gryphon Football Awards

The football playoffs were still going on when Rocky Mount High School held their Fall sports awards night. The Christmas break came and so did the end of the semester. Tonight the football team took their turn finally and one of the greatest Gryphon teams in history received their due on their excellent season.

After dinner Wes Bradshaw awarded the pizza buffets won by players during our broadcast for being the players of the game.

Coach B W Holt acting as MC for the evening announced the all conference awards.

Offense: Marquavis Alston, Whit Barnes, Brandon Dennis, Nick Hahula, Torey Lee, Keith Strickland and Greg Williams

Defense: Josh Boulware, Jermaine Fields, Brian Goodwin, Nick Harrison and Chris Pittman.

The second teamers were Jarron battle, Josh Thigpen, Spencer Bell, Carter Varnell, Collins Cuthrell, Hiawatha Bunn, Jordan Ford and Dedrick Silver. L'Var silver won an award as honorable mentions all conference.

Two players had the unique honor of being named to the all conference team at two different positions. Brian Goodwin first as a defensive safety and then as the best kick returner in the league. Nick Hahula was first team fullback and also as the best kicker in the league.

Every member of the team received a plaque for winning the conference championship, the district champion, sectionals and as runner up East regional team.

Whit Barnes was honored for his election to the North Carolina Shrine bowl team. Torey Lee and Nick Hahula were announced as two Gryphon players who will play in the East-West all star game in July.

Special recognition was given to four Gryphons who have been named all state football players. Whit Barnes,Nick Hahula, Keith Strickland and Chris Pittman

Chris Pittman who was named the NEW-6 Defensive player of the year added to his hardware take on the evening.

The last four team awards for the evening were.

Offensive Player of the Year......Marquavis Alston
Defensive Player of the Year.....Chris Pittman
The Benny Smith Linemen of the Year went to two players Torey Lee and Whit Barnes.
and the Most Valuable player as voted by his teammates was Nick Hahula.

Coach Holt during his remarks about his coaching staff announce that Chris Lee who has been the JV head coach during the Holt era has been named the head coach at Louisburg high school. That will be a big hole to fill for next year.

One of the high lights of the evening was the Holt's All Gryphon Team. B W presented plaques of appreciation to Gryphon faithful who have served the Gryphons either through monetary donation, or service when call upon. I wish I could tell you that I had been smart enough to write each ones named down as he talked about them but I enjoyed listening to Holt speak about each one and plain forgot too. Maybe Charles Alston will list them on the Gryphon Grapevine because each and everyone that he presented an award to was most deserving for their faithful devotion to the Gryphon Nation.

The final conference award of the evening was presented by Chris Lee as he presented Coach B W Holt as coach of the year to a standing ovation.

The senior class presented coach Holt a picture of the seniors, as these seniors only lost two games in two seasons. It may be a while before another group is this good.