By Daniel L. Bamberg
photos by Lane Lightsey
Many members of the community were on hand to celebrate the season that was 2009. Players from that team sat with their dates with a pride gleaming from their expressions. After a meal and a viewing of highlights from every BCHS football game in 2009, Battles began to thank the community and entities, which he suggested, helped make the successful season possible.
He thanked the Board of Education, High School Faculty, Principal Lee Van Fleet, Vice Principal Wes Lawley and Superintendent Dr. Don Elam’s administration. “Success begins at the top and Dr. Elam’s administration have done everything they said they would do. Mr. Van Fleet and Mr. Lawley genuinely care about all of the kids and that is reflected in everything we did this year. Some of these kids needed the teachers to help them, and the instructors helped them realize what it takes to be a good student athlete.” Battles stated.
Coach Battles also thanked Sean Noah and the BCHS band, Lane Lightsey, Ashley Lawley and their cheerleaders for all of their support. “These girls are athletes,” Battles implied.
The head coach went on to thank the members Bibb County Quarterback Club for putting on the kind of Banquet they have, and the creating the kind of awards, which were to be given out. The list was almost endless as Battles thanked every individual on-hand, and those not on-hand for their efforts throughout the season. But this didn’t seem to be lip service. One thing that has shown through the BCHS football program has been tremendous humility and an apparent inability to take anything for granted. Just before wrapping his speech up, Battles thanked his wife. “She doesn’t see me much during the season and takes care of my family and home, but also she is the one who keeps me humble and grounded no matter what.” When he speech was over Battles apologized to anyone he might have left out. “Oh yeah, Jayvon’s (Jackson) grandmother. She made it to more practices than I did,” Battles explained with a smile.
Harper McGee was given a plaque from the BCHS coaching staff and players for his tireless efforts filming each game over the last two years. “You don’t realize how hard that is until it comes time to break all the footage down and send it off. We are losing a very valuable part of are team this year when he graduates,” Battles stated.
Before giving out awards and recognitions Battles went over some of the accomplishments the Choctaws graduating class had achieved. “This is the winningest senior class in school history, and they leave on a high note with the winningest season in school history. Something many of you might not know is that this senior class is also undefeated at home.” Attendees reacted to that statement with enormous applause. “There is much to be said about an undefeated regular season. A lot of football players go an entire career without seeing an undefeated season,” Battles remarked.
Quail Rutledge, an individual whose season will forever be etched in Bibb County sports history was also discussed. “He was an ESPN High School player of the year nominee, made the Alabama Sports Writer’s Super 12, the West Alabama Player of the Year, was a Sideline Player of the Year finalist, and made the 1st team All State. He had 273 carries for 2,242 yards. He also now holds the state record for most points scored in a single season with 286.” Indeed Rutledge was a stud on the field this year, but as Battles suggested, “Any time Quail was being interviewed he was talking about the team never himself. That humility not only honors the team and coaches but the school and his community. He made us all proud,” concluded Battles. Following that Coach Cook came to the podium to present the “Racehorse Award” to Rutledge. This award is given out to who accumulates the most total yards per game.
Other awards given out were as follows:
Chelsea Hill was presented the Scrambler Award for best Offensive Lineman. Andrelle Smith and Diaheem Watkins received the Head Hunter Awards for most tackles. The Big Chief award we goes to the best Defensive Lineman, and was presented to Diaheem Watkins. The Choctaw Award for the best linebacker was given to both, Taylor Morton and Andrelle Smith. The Tomahawk Award for best Wide Receiver was handed to Kannon Johnston. The Scalp Award for best Defensive Back was given to J.J. Rutledge. The Special Teams Award for most outstanding special teams player was presented to Darren Whatley. The Scout Team Award, which is annually given to the player who works the hardest, unselfishly each week to prepare the team for a game was given to Adam Gaddis.
The two permanent team captains were Quail Rutledge and Charles Hubbard. Each year seniors are rotated in and out as team captains, but at the end of the season the underclassman select the “permanent” two for the season. Those individuals receive an award for this recognition by the peers at the Annual Football Banquet.
Every senior football player was presented with his or her personal jersey in a frame and every cheerleader was presented a plaque for their efforts as well. The banquet was reaching its climax when Superintendent Don Elam came up to give his remarks on the season of 2009, the future of the program, and the seniors who were moving on. “Parents you should be really proud, those young men have represented the county well and we know they will continue to do so,” said Elam. Principal Lee Van Fleet came to the podium to give his final thoughts. “Seniors, when I met you in the field house a few years ago I told you then, you’d become leaders. Well give yourself a hand because you are there. We will miss the seniors. We are now one of the elite programs in the state. We have one of the best weight training programs in the state, thank you Coach Mitchell. To the cheerleaders, your stunts, athleticism, and tireless work are deeply appreciated, said Van Fleet. Before the principal sat down he made an announcement, which moved the audience to the largest applause of the night. Alabama High School Coaches Association recently selected Head Coach Mike Battles as 4A Coach of the Year. On Saturday, January 30th he will travel to accept the award.
Battles thanked everyone for the applause and stated, “It is exciting when you are picked by your peers. It is a reflection of how people think about Bibb County’s football program. Parents you should be proud, because your kids played with class.”
Battles concluded the banquet with the most profound encouraging statement of the night. “Seniors in 2009 you had some big shoes to fill. To the upcoming class, those shoes just got a lot bigger.”
Look for the full story on Mike Battles AHSCA Coach of the Year Award in the 02/03/10 edition of the Centreville Press.
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