11/15/2013 football Edit

Fulton trio among Mr. Football finalists

Compiled Reports

Special to TnVarsity.com

Hermitage, Tennessee - The Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Awards finalist were named on Thursday with Knoxville Fulton having three players nominated for the top honors.

Lineman Akeem Cooperwood joins backs Xavier Hawkins and Daryl Rollins-Davis as Fulton Falcons who are finalists.

Cooperwood is a 6-7, 327 (OL/DE) who has been getting attention from college recruiters since he was a sophomore.

(WR/DB) Hawkins excites the Falcons fans in many ways. The speedy senior anchored the Fulton state champion 4 X 200 meter relay team earlier this year and finished second in both the 100 and 200 meters.

Fulton head coach Rob Black appreciates the versatility Hawkins provides to the Falcons offense and defense.

"He is one of the major heart beats on this team," Black said. "He does so many different things for us. He is one of the most explosive players I have ever coached. And on top of that, he works everyday and tries to get better. He is never satisfied and is also very unselfish."

Hawkins has been offered scholarships by Oregon State, Chattanooga, Campbell and Austin Peay.

(RB) Rollins-Davis has helped lead Fulton to a perfect (11-0) mark this season and his efforts have earned him many offers.

Rollins-Davis has been offered scholarships by MTSU, Chattanooga, Appalachian State, Bucknell and Georgia State.

The Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Awards will be presented to the top 10 backs and linemen in five classifications of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association on Monday, December 2, 2013, at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center in Murfreesboro.

For the twelfth consecutive year, the top kicker in the state will be recognized with a Mr. Football Award. There are three finalists in this category, regardless of their school's classification.

A committee of statewide sports writers selected winners based on performance in the 2013 regular season.

Academics and character were also taken into consideration. High school head coaches and members of the media nominated the finalists.

"We are obviously excited and appreciative about being involved with the Tennessee Titans for the seventh consecutive year," stated Bernard Childress, Executive Director of the TSSAA. They have helped make the recognition of the 33 student-athletes, their families, and schools possible."

"We were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Mr. Adams," added Childress. "We will be forever grateful to Mr. Adams and the Tennessee Titans for their contributions to high school athletics in the state of Tennessee. The sponsorship of the Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Awards and numerous contributions to high schools across the state since the team moved to Tennessee have meant a great deal to the member schools of the TSSAA."

This is the twenty-eighth year that the Mr. Football Awards have been presented to Tennessee's best high school football players. Plaques will be presented to 22 other finalists.

Approximately 600 people, including the honorees, their families, coaches, school administrators and members of the media from all parts of the state, are expected to attend the 2013 luncheon.

Mike Keith, play-by-play voice of the Tennessee Titans, will emcee the awards presentation. A live videostream of the awards will be provided for free by the NFHS Network. Those interested can watch the awards by going to www.TSSAANetwork.com.

2013 Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Finalists

CLASS A LINEMAN

Tyler Bush, Huntingdon

Zach Stewart, Coalfield

Blake Zeman, Marion County

CLASS AA LINEMAN

Paul Adams, CPA

Akeem Cooperwood, Fulton

[db]Braylon Young, Alcoa

CLASS AAA LINEMAN

Dylan Jackson, Maryville

Jack Jones, Oakland