Welcome to our new web site!

To give our readers a chance to experience all that our new website has to offer, we have made all content freely avaiable, through October 1, 2018.

During this time, print and digital subscribers will not need to log in to view our stories or e-editions.

West Carroll High School Celebrates Stellar Football Season

Posted

ATWOOD (January 6) — The West Carroll War Eagles celebrated a successful high school football season with a banquet Monday at the beautiful K & M Barn at Lewis Farm.
Guests were welcomed by West Carroll Junior/Senior High Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Shane DePriest, who lauded the hard work and sacrifices of the student-athletes, parents and coaches over the last year. That hard work paid dividends for the War Eagles. They finished the regular season as the Region 7-1A Runner-Up and won two playoff games before falling in the TSSAA Class 1A State Quarterfinals to eventual state champion Lake County for a record of 8-5. In fact, Lake County accounted for West Carroll’s only two losses in Class 1A contests.
Senior Wyatt Baker delivered an invocation before the delicious meal catered by Mallard’s Restaurant.
As everyone finished dessert, Head Coach Josh Wolfe introduced Jonathan Gowan of the War Eagle Radio Network, who thanked everyone who supports the football program as well as his broadcast. Gowan said, in part, that he’s “proud to be a War Eagle watching you grow” and complimented the program for a “family atmosphere.” He addressed the seniors, saying, “All the other folks look up to you. You are the leaders. You set the example. You’ve done a fine job.” He implored them to keep God first in their lives and to continue to be leaders. Finally, he congratulated them and wished them good luck going forward.
Cheer sponsor Christy Martin then took the podium. She thanked the parents for supporting the cheerleaders and said that it was “a season to remember.” She wished the seniors success and said that she couldn’t wait for next year. Each cheerleader was then recognized individually and presented a plaque.
The senior cheerleaders came forward and Ashley Myles spoke on their behalf, saying “We appreciate you for taking us on, and we’re really going to miss you.”
Coach Wolfe spoke next. He echoed the previous speakers in calling the 2019 season one to remember. He noted that the program is built on three core values: character, culture and discipline. The team’s motto is “Family.” He thanked Director of Schools Dexter Williams and the school board, the school’s administration, the district’s faculty and staff, concession workers, the chain gang, ball boys, clock operators, janitors, parents, boosters, the radio crew and public announcer Jared Mims. He thanked and introduced his coaching staff: Tyler Wadley, Alex Giannoni, Anthony Blackmon and Shane DePriest. He thanked his managers, stat girls and film crew, as well as Chad Hughes for his assistance. He thanked the players, calling them “the best group in the school” and praising their hard work on the field and in the classroom.
The coach then recognized each player. He noted that they would be receiving challenge coins, but the coins weren’t ready yet because of the team’s deep playoff run.
Each senior received a plaque, and seniors were given a jersey. Wolfe praised the group for their improvement over four years.
He recognized players named to the All-Region 7-1A team: Timothy Gilford, Zach Perry, Jarrius Weatherford, Bryce Bolton, Jack Barrow, Jessie Mounts, Jacob Blankenship, Wyatt Hays, Cody Wildridge (Co-Defensive Player of the Year) and Jeremiah Bryant (Offensive Player of the Year). Wildridge and Bryant were also named to the Tennessee High School Football Coaches Association Class 1A All-State Team. Bryant and Weatherford were both named to the All-West Tennessee Team, and Weatherford participated in the West Tennessee All-Star Game. Bryant will instead participate in the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl at the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium on Monday, January 20 at 6 p.m. CST.
Individual awards were then presented:
Special Teams Player of the Year — Dakota Saunders
Best Offensive Lineman — Jessie Mounts

Best Offensive Back — Jarrius Weatherford
Best Wide Receiver — Jack Barrow
Offensive Most Valuable Player — Jeremiah Bryant
Scout Team Player of the Year — Wyatt Baker
Best Defensive Lineman — Timothy Gilford
Best Linebacker — Zach Perry
Best Defensive Back — Dylan Cox
Defensive Most Valuable Player — Cody Wildridge
Blake Ray Eagle Pride Award — Jeremiah Bryant
Coach Wolfe closed by telling the juniors that “the torch has been passed, the bar has been reset.”
The seniors came forward, and Bryant said on their behalf to the coaches, “Thank you. We love y’all, and we’re going to miss you.” Each coach was presented with a plaque.
The banquet concluded, but guests lingered to take photos and reminisce on the season.
The 2019 War Eagles were: seniors Bryce Bolton, Jeremiah Bryant, Zach Perry, Wyatt Baker and Jarrius Weatherford; juniors Devin Rader, Dylan Cox, Tylor Smith, Jack Barrow, Cody Wildridge, Jacob Blankenship, Dakota Saunders, Timothy Gilford, Grant Green, Nick Blankenship, Jessie Mounts, Kilan Emerson and Kaleb Britton; sophomores C.J. Ray, Xander Moon, Hunter Lindsey, Hayden Hilliard, Logan Winberry, Wyatt Hays and Brendon Todd; and freshmen Hunter Walters, Shooter Nelson, Malik Lee, Tyler Shaddon, Ethan Simon, Seth Edwards, Jay Long, Hunter Reynolds, Joseph McKeller, Brendan Knight and Hunter Holmes.
Managers were: seniors Celia Townsend, Macey Cunningham, Gracie Cunningham, Sathina Gaskin and Shatara Brooks; juniors Ashley Hughes and Virginia Knott; and freshman Summer Wren.

West Carroll High School, Football, Banquet