By james art BY VICTORIA LEITCH [email protected]
Paris bleeds football. The adrenaline and pride of the sport runs through the community’s veins. To prepare for a high school football career, young boys go through the Paris Tigers Youth Football Program.
On October 12, following the end of an impressive season, several players were presented with awards. The teams as a whole were also recognized for their valiant efforts and dedication to the sport.
“This is probably the most improved group we’ve ever had. From the first game to the last game, we were out of the championship game by just a few touchdowns, and that’s a big deal. When we started, we were very, very inexperienced and we thought, man, we really have a lot of work to do this year. And the way it ended, I couldn’t be more proud of our seventh- and eighth-grade team and our fifth- and sixth-grade team.” Coach Jeff Arp said.
Several fifth through eighth grade players were recognized for their efforts with the Tiger Award.
“We focus on our character. Characteristic things like attitude, effort and leadership. I use the word camaraderie and they look at me like, what? what does that mean Like being a good teammate, right? So attitude, effort, leadership and being a good teammate. That’s what the Tiger Award is all about,” Arp said.
Fifth and sixth grade Tiger Award winners are Ryder Burris, Hudson Gilbert, Leo Smith, Cyrus Osborne, Sam Pitts and Chance Pitts.
Seventh and eighth graders who presented the Tiger Award were Holden Moore, Drake Quinn, Zion Howard, Marcus Hutchings, Gentry Simpson and Hudson Phipps.
Along with the Tiger Award, one player from each team has been selected as the Tom Tuttle Award winner. Players recognized will receive a plaque and their name will be added to the list of recipients displayed at the John P. Allen Field concession stand.
“If you just look at the two games we struggled the most; teams we probably had to deal with. It was our first game of the year in Newton and then when we played Lawrenceville here. We were obviously a better football team than them, but without the two guys who were Tuttle Award winners, it threw us into a frenzy. And that means the Tuttle Award. It’s the guys who lead the team, not only with their athletic talents, but when we get on the field, they’re all better. When they are here, the team is better. We’re functioning better,” coach Chip Keyes said.
This year, unlike previous winners of the award, the coaches selected two winners from each team, rather than one. Tom Tuttle Award winners are Hudson Gilbert and Cyrus Osborne, fifth and sixth grades, and Marcus Hutchings and Gentry Simpson, seventh and eighth grades.
Coach Arp left the players with a reminder of their team rules and to apply them in everyday life.
“Earlier. This is about life. Don’t show up for a Delta flight five minutes after takeoff. listen You listen with two ears and one mouth. You have to work hard. Whether it’s sports, work or whatever, you have to work hard,” he said.