By JIM STEELE
mckenzierebels.com

NASHVILLE - Two Carroll County schools may get a bill for rent from the TSSAA soon.

For the third straight year, a player from Carroll County has captured one of the coveted Mr. Football awards, presented by the Tennessee Titans. Monday morning, Hollow Rock-Bruceton Central's Alex Matlock captured the Class A Mr. Football lineman award. In addition, McKenzie's Derek Carr and Hollow Rock-Bruceton's Chad Jordan were Mr. Football back finalists.

The event was held at the Nashville Airport Marriott Hotel. It marks the sixth time in the last seven years that a Carroll County player has been been honored at this event.

McKenzie's Carr, who has guided the Rebels to a shot at the Class A state championship this Friday in Murfreesboro against South Pittsburg, became the third Mr. Football finalist in MHS history. He has completed 133 of 226 passes for 2,309 yards with six interceptions and 21 passes. On the ground, he has 66 rushes for 409 yards and 11 touchdowns.

"This is a good thing, a great accomplishment," said McKenzie football coach Wade Comer, who has coached three Mr. Football finalists. "It's an achievement to be considered as one of the top three backs in the state of Tennessee. It's just more recognition and another sign of just how far our program has come."

For his career, Carr has thrown 466 pass, completing 257 of them. He has tossed 45 touchdowns, 17 interceptions for 4,672 yards. He has rushed 66 times for 409 yards for 12 scores. As a receiver, he has 15 catches for 140 yards and a touchdown.

Carr joins McKenzie's Ricky Mathis (2002 lineman finalist) and Drew Hayes (2005 back winner) as McKenzie players who have been honored.

Matlock became the sixth Mr. Football winner from Central. He collected 65 tackles, 10 sacks, an interception for a touchdown, forced five fumbles, scored five offensive touchdowns and had 12 pancake blocks. The Tigers finished as Region 7A runners-up for the second straight season and ended with an 8-4 mark. The Tigers suffered a 28-14 season-ending loss to Trinity Christian in the second round of the Class A playoffs.

Matlock joined his backfield mate Jordan on the dais.

"It's rare to have two off the same team," said an elated Tim Gilmer, Central coach. "When you look around and see that we've had long term success, it really says something about our region and it's an honor from that aspect."

Matlock joins Joe Longmire (1995 back), James Hartsfield (1996 line), Adrian Jamison (2001 back), Patrick Willis (2002 line winner, back finalist) and Russell Noles (2005 line) as Mr. Football winners from Central. Jordan was twice a finalist for the Tigers. Mt. Pleasant phenom Marco Dailey was the Class A back winner this year.

"This is something for young guys to look up and see that it's not just a pipe dream," Gilmer said. "They know that at our program, it's possible to win an award like this. And yes, it's an individual award, but you won't find too many winners and finalists up here who didn't have successful teams around them. Alex and Chad are two great kids and you won't find two better anywhere."

Carroll County has had Mr. Football finalists six of the past seven years and has had five Mr. Football winners over the past three years, six over the last seven. In 2002, Hollow Rock-Bruceton's Patrick willis was a Mr. Football Class A line and back finalist, the only player to have achieved that distinction. He won the Class A line award while Mathis was a 2A back finalist. In 2004, Huntingdon's Phillip "Boo" weathers was a 2A back finalist and was one of three Carroll County winners in 2005. Weathers was the 2A back winner that year. Hayes won the Class A back award and Central's Noles was the Class A line winner. Huntingdon's Chris Donald was a 2A line finalist in '05. Last year, Donald was the Class 2A line winner while Jordan was a Class A back finalist.

Other winners this year inlcude in 2A: Dakota Cruise, Lewis County (line), Randall Cobb, Alcoa (back); 3A: Dont'a Hightower, Marshall Co. (line), Deaute Mason, Pearl-Cohn (back); 4A: Aaron Douglas (line) and Brent Burnette (back), both from Maryville; 5A: LaDarius Verge, Riverdale (line), Rodriguez Wilks, Smyrna (back); Division 2-A: Ben Popek, St. George's (line), Grant Jessen, St. George's (back); Division 2-AA: Preston Bailey (line), Ben Bartholomew (back), both from Montgomery Bell Academy; Kicker of the year: Mike Hammons, Polk County.

Other West Tennesseans honored as finalists were, Elijah Epperson (2A Humboldt), Chase Horton (2A Camden), Kendal Harper (2A Peabody), Harrison Moore (2A Westview), Beau Liljenquist (3A Dyersburg), Cody Jones (kicker, Jackson Christian).