Five Elmore City-Pernell players were named to the Class A-II District 2 All-District team.
Dawson Milligan was named Offensive Player of the Year.
“I love the contact and the people I get to play with,” he said.
The running back spent the season chasing the school’s rushing record, falling unfortunately short.
“I got close to the record I was trying to break,” Milligan said. “I tried to play the best game I could and have my faith that our big boys would get us through.”
After graduation, he plans to work in the oil field.
Will Chappell was named Defensive Tackle of the Year.
“I’m a different person once I put on the pads,” he said. “I get mean.”
That toughness served Chappell well as he served as a team captain this season and led the offensive and defensive lines.
After graduation, he plans to continue working at a ranch and possibly study diesel engine mechanics at Mid-America Technology Center.
“You have to give it all you’ve got. You only have four years in high school,” Chappell said. “I know I did. I love my brothers. They are family. Football is a family sport - you have to operate as a team to do anything.”
Hunter Howard was named Injured Player of the Year, which recognizes a player lost to injury who still made a huge impact on the team.
The senior injured his shoulder during the Ringling game in his junior year and has continued to have issues with that shoulder.
“I thought of everything I could to help out the team,” Howard said.
He transitioned from playing nose guard to serving water during breaks and giving pep talks to teammates.
After graduation, Howard plans to work at the Walmart Distribution Center.
Caleb Bussey was named to the team at wide receiver.
“Football keeps me busy, and I get to do it with all my friends and classmates I’ve been with since pre-k,” Bussey said.
After graduation, the senior plans to become an electrician. Bussey also plans to keep watching his two favorite football teams - the Badgers and the University of Oklahoma.
Izzy Robinson, a senior, was named to the team at fullback.
On the small side for his position, Robinson said he didn’t really enjoy playing football until he bulked up in his junior year.
“My love for the game has always been there, but I found my passion junior year and started applying myself,” he said.
Robinson spent a lot of time in the weight room and studied clips of his favorite player, Mike Alstott, a former running back for the Tampa Buccaneers.
“I just want to run through someone’s face,” Robinson said. “I fell in love with an aggressive running style.”
He plans to study youth ministry at Southern Nazarene University.
