LaRue, Maddox season MVPs All three high schools represented in region awards
The 2024 high school football season has concluded, with all three area teams — Clinton, Anderson County, and Oak Ridge — making the playoffs.
The Mavericks and Wildcats each captured region titles and advanced to the semifinal rounds of the TSSAA playoffs in their respective classifications.
Anderson County claimed its eighth-consecutive Region 2-4A championship, completing another perfect league schedule.
The Mavericks finished the season 11-2 overall, with losses to Knoxville West during the regular season and to Macon County in the playoffs.
Oak Ridge finished 9-5, winning five of its last six games despite contending with multiple injuries. The Wildcats completed a second-straight perfect Region 3-5A campaign.
Clinton earned a Class 5A playoff berth under interim Coach Jason Hamock.
Postseason Honors
All three teams were well-represented in postseason awards, as announced by league coaches.
Region 2-4A Awards
Anderson County senior Waylon LaRue was named Most Valuable Player after a breakout season. Quarterback Landen Hensley, a transfer from Campbell County, earned Newcomer of the Year honors.
Additional Mavericks award winners included:
• Defensive Player of the Year: Taylor Davis.
• Offensive Lineman of the Year: Eli Dorton.
• Defensive Specialist of the Year: Israel Small.
• Offensive Specialist of the Year: Trent Strickland (shared with Carter’s Gabe Dennis).
• Offensive Assistant of the Year: Aaron St. Clair (shared with Gibbs’ Tyler Kitts).
• Defensive Assistant of the Year: Tony Lambert and Jon Chadwell (shared).
Anderson County players on the All-Academic Team were Logan Crumpley and Connor Isabell.
The Mavericks’ all-region selections included Reese Russell, Gabe St. John, Stephen Powers, Luke Carroll, Cody Miller, Jeremy Hall, Evan Pyatt, Ty Murphy, Jackson Hill, Riley Wolfenbarger and Vance Young.
Region 3-5A Awards
Clinton’s Bryson Maddox was named Most Valuable Player, while Oak Ridge Coach Derek Rang earned Coach of the Year honors.
Other notable winners:
• Offensive Player of the Year: Blaine Stansberry (Oak Ridge).
• Defensive Assistant of the Year: Bo Wright (Clinton).
• Running Back of the Year: Damilyan Porter (Oak Ridge).
• H-Back/Slot Player of the Year: Malik Howard (Oak Ridge).
• Wide Receiver of the Year: Will Pressley (Oak Ridge).
• Defensive Lineman of the Year: Tobja Walters (Oak Ridge) and Bubba Willis (Lenoir City, shared).
• Punter of the Year: Blaine Collins (Clinton).
• Returner of the Year: Ja’Rell Jimmerson (Oak Ridge).
• Specialist of the Year: Eli Pearson (Oak Ridge).
Oak Ridge’s Malachi Bonner and Clinton’s Jack Wilson were named to the All-Academic Team.
Oak Ridge’s all-region players included: Ethan Eubanks, Jared Bafford, TJ Hibben, Tyree Porter, Tevoirea Threat, J.T. Gormley, Carson Nivens, Elijah Young, Adam Washington and Dallas Frendt.
Clinton’s all-region honorees were: Andrew McAmis, Konner Riggs, Jaxson Herrell, Ryker Armes, Jaylin Benjamin, Alijah Davidson, Zander Huffman and Tre Hall.
