| I-Train makes Mr. Football finals again |
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By: TMP STAFF REPORT
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Posted: Thursday, November 10, 2011 12:00 am
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NASHVILLE – Blackman running back I’Tavius Mathers will be one of a chosen few at the Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Awards, which will be presented Nov. 28 to the top 10 backs and linemen in five classifications of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association.
“He’s had a great year, which is backed up by last year,” Blackman head coach Phillip Shadowens said, adding Mathers was a Mr. Football finalist in the 2010 season also. “He’s a deserving young man.”
Mathers, the Blaze’s senior running back, led the team in the regular season with 1,861 yards on 202 carries, averaging 9.2 yards per carry, and 19 touchdowns, according to Blackman’s website. He also ran for 342 yards in the first round of the playoffs.
And he did all this with a sprained big toe, which kept him out of a few games.
These stellar numbers have carried him into the finals for 2011 Class AAA Back Mr. Football. Brian Kimbrow from Memphis East and Patton Robinette from Maryville are also finalists in the category.
Mathers will likely rack up more yards Friday night when Blackman meets Riverdale in the second round of the playoffs.
“We’ve got as good a chance as anybody,” Shadowens said about playing cross-town rivals, the Warriors, at 7 p.m. Friday at Riverdale.
Last season Mathers rushed for 2,614 yards and 31 touchdowns.
He was also named Tennessee’s Gatorade Player of the Year and Old Spice Player of the Year.
Mathers lost out on the award last year to Bearden’s Devrin Young.
A committee of statewide sports writers selected winners based on performance in the 2011 regular season.
Academics and character were also taken into consideration.
High school head coaches and members of the media nominated the finalists.
“High school football in Tennessee enjoys a great tradition throughout the state and we are pleased to join the TSSAA for the fourth consecutive year in saluting these fine young men at the Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Awards,” Titans owner Bud Adams said. “The young men that are recognized with these awards are truly the best of the best. They are selected not only for their football skills, but for their strong character and academic achievements and we’re honored to join the TSSAA in saluting them.”
This is the 27th 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 2011 luncheon.
Live videostream of the awards will be provided for free by the TSSAA Network at TSSAANetwork.com. |
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