Straughn High School held its annual fall football banquet Sunday afternoon at the cafeteria.

The football program recognized players from the varsity team, players from each grade and the varsity cheerleaders.

In addition, special awards were given to athletes that excelled during the fall football season.

Straughn’s team finished its season in the Class 3A quarterfinals of the state playoffs, where they fell at home to Cordova 13-7.

Leading up to the third round of the playoffs, the Tigers defeated Geneva and Bayside in the first and second rounds, respectively.

This season, the Tigers finished with a 9-4 overall record, and were 6-1 in Class 3A, Region 1, winning the region championship for the first in Class 3A. Straughn had previously won the region championship in Class 2A in 2000.

The Tigers clinched the championship defeating Luverne, 28-6 on Oct. 23.

Straughn coach Trent Taylor thanked his assistant coaches for their efforts this past season and spoke about the season.

“When you look at what these guys did after being 2-3 at the start of the season,” Taylor said. “It is extraordinary.

“For them to believe and show up at practice and say we believe in us and us; there will not be another team like this one — there’s no doubt.”

Taylor recognized players from all classes, gave awards to the gridiron girls, presented the academic award, the Kevin Hutto Extra Effort Award, captains award and the 2009 Most Valuable Player award.

At the end of the banquet, Covington County Board of Education Member Jeff Bailey presented the Craig Franklin Leadership Award to the top athlete at Straughn.

Straughn Gridiron Girls

Madison Herrington

Katie Grantham

Academic Award

Chase Parker

Kevin Hutto Extra

Effort Award

Trey Matthews

Captains Award

Nick Allen

Tanner Lee

Chase Parker

2009 Most Valuable Player

Straughn football seniors

Craig Franklin Leadership Award

Chase Parker