Four in running for Mr. Football

By Stephen Hargis Assistant Sports Editor
tfponline.com

Four local players were named finalists for the TSSAA Mr. Football awards Wednesday. McCallie quarterback B.J. Coleman and Baylor running back Kevin Cooper are two of the three Division II-AAA Back of the Year finalists. Tennessee Temple receiver Seth Skogen is a Back of the Year finalist in Class 1A, and Brainerd’s Cory Hall is a Lineman of the Year finalist in 4A.

Coleman, Cooper and Hall have committed to the University of Tennessee.

There are three back and lineman finalists in each of the TSSAA’s seven classifications. There are also three finalists, regardless of classification, for the state’s top kicker award. The 22nd22 annualnd annual American General Mr. Football awards will be presented to the winners in each classification Nov. 27 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center.

Coleman won the Division II-AAA award as the top back last year. This season, he has completed 66 percent of his passes for 2,447 yards and 17 touchdowns, helping the Blue Tornado to a 9-1 record going into Friday’s state semifinal against Christian Brothers at Finley Stadium.

McCallie has had four Mr. Football winners in the last five years.

"We’ve been fortunate enough to have some pretty good players who work hard," Tornado coach Ralph Potter said. "B.J. is just a special athlete. He not only has a lot of physical ability but is a great leader as well."

Cooper is a 240-pound fullback who has rushed for 1,824 yards and 14 touchdowns this season, helping Baylor to a 9-2 record. The Red Raiders visit top-ranked Brentwood Academy for a D-II semifinal game Friday.

Skogen is the state’s career leader for receptions (266), receiving yards (5,120) and touchdowns (59), including 1,597 yards and 24 TDs this year. The 6-foot-4, 222-pound senior helped the Crusaders to the Region 3-1A championship and an 11-0 record so far, with a second-round playoff game Friday against Trousdale County at Lookout Valley. A Mr. Basketball finalist last year, he is Temple’s first Mr. Football finalist.

"It’s a real testimony to all the young men in our program," Crusaders coach Kevin Skogen said. "You don’t get those kinds of awards without being surrounded by a lot of talent, which he is. It’s also great for the program to have come this far in only four years."

Hall is a 6-5, 255-pound defensive end who had 101 total tackles this season. His 12 sacks and three other tackles for loss accounted for minus-87 yards. He also recovered three fumbles. Brainerd’s season ended with a 30-26 playoff loss at reigning state champion and top-ranked Maryville.

Tullahoma’s Cass Barnes is a 4A back finalist.

E-mail Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com