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Willie Ray Smith
Finalists for the 30th annual Willie Ray Smith Awards were announced April 4 at the MCM Eleganté in Beaumont. Dubbed the “Heisman Trophy of High School Football in Southeast Texas,” the finalists included four offensive and four defensive players.
Offensive Award finalists
Kheagian Heckaman, QB – Hamshire Fannett
-39 total touchdowns and 2,400 yards.
Lucas Powell, QB – Lumberton
-2,552 yards and 34 total touchdowns.
Da’Marrion Morris, RB – LC-M
-1,900 yards and 23 scores.
Koby Trahan, RB – PN-G
-1,766 yards and 22 touchdowns.
Defensive Award finalists
Darrius Byrd, DB – Hamshire-Fannett
-121 tackles, 1 blocked kick and 2 fumble recoveries.
Leighton Foster, LB – Newton
-172 tackles, 3 sacks and 2 forced fumbles. Brother of WRS Defensive winner in 2018, Colton Foster.
Amier Washington, DL – LCM
-9 sacks and 18 tackles for a loss.
Jayron Williams, LB – Silsbee
-123 tackles, 12 for a loss and 5 forced fumbles.
The winners will be announced Monday, May 2, at the MCM Eleganté at 6:30 p.m.
The awards are named in honor of the late Willie Ray Smith Sr., who coached high school football in Orange until 1957 then moved to Beaumont to start an 18-year career at Charlton-Pollard High School. He went on to win 235 games while his sons, Tody and Bubba, are among more than 20 players he helped send to the NFL.