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MTCS’ McGowan wins Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Award




MTCS senior running back Kemari McGowan and Cougars coach Fred Shambaugh are all smiles after he won the Tennessee Mr. Football Award on Monday. SUBMITTED

MTCS senior running back Kemari McGowan and Cougars coach Fred Shambaugh are all smiles after he won the Tennessee Mr. Football Award on Monday. SUBMITTED

Middle Tennessee Christian School senior running back Kemari McGowan was named the Tennessee Titans Division II Class A Mr. Award winner Monday at Nissan Stadium.

McGowan, a four-year starter for the Cougars, rushed for more almost 2,400 yards this season and 28 touchdowns. He is MTCS’ all-time leading rusher with more than 7,000 yards.

Late in the season, McGowan rushed for a state record by a quarterback with 442 yards and seven touchdowns against Franklin Grace Christian.

“It was very exciting,” McGowan said. “It’s a big honor being a senior. I was hoping I would get it, and when I did it was just real exciting. I couldn’t have done it without my teammates. It’s a good way to end my career.”

Blackman senior linebacker Conner Murphy, who had an outstanding season with more than 120 tackles, was one of three semifinalists.

McGowan started as a freshman at MTCS and quickly became a coaching staff and fan favorite.

“He’s the most durable back I’ve ever coached,” MTCS coach Fred Shambaugh said. “In the past we had a stable of backs and he didn’t have to play every snap.

MTCS senior running back Kemari McGowan won the Tennessee Titans Division II Class A Mr. Football Award Monday. FILE

MTCS senior running back Kemari McGowan won the Tennessee Titans Division II Class A Mr. Football Award Monday. FILE

“This year he played the entire game and never took a play off. You just don’t see that. I’m so proud of what he’s accomplished and how far he has come as a young man and player. You don’t get the opportunity to coach many like him.”

McGowan is the first MTCS player to receive the award.

“Mari has set a standard and will always be remembered,” Shambaugh said. “I’m just happy he was honored (Monday). He was standing in the middle, and when they were reading his accomplishments and they talked about the 400 something yard rushing, one of the guys beside him looked at him and said ‘wow.'”

McGowan said he’s uncertain about his future but hopes to be playing college football next year.

High school head coaches and members of the media nominated the finalists. A committee of statewide sports writers selected winners based on performance in the 2019 regular season. Academics and character were also taken into consideration.

The awards were presented to the top football players in each of the nine classifications of the Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association. The top kickers in the state were also recognized. There were three finalists in this category, regardless of their school’s classification.

2019 TENNESSEE TITANS MR. FOOTBALL AWARD WINNERS

Division I, Class 1A

Holden Willis, Greenback

Division I, Class 2A

Cooper Baugus, Peabody

Division I, Class 3A

James Moore, Stratford

Division I, Class 4A

Tim Coutras, Nolensville

Division I, Class 5A

Elijah Young, South-Doyle

Division I, Class 6A

Lincoln Pare, Houston

Division II, Class A

Kemari McGowan, MTCS

Division II, Class AA

Austin Hill, ECS

Division II, Class AAA

Omari Thomas, Briarcrest

KICKER OF THE YEAR

Zeke Rankin, Alcoa

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