Willie Ray Smith Awards

Dubbed the “Heisman Trophy of High School Football in Southeast Texas,” the annual Willie Ray Smith Awards were held May 2 at the MCM Eleganté in Beaumont. Winners were Kheagian Heckaman (Offensive) and Leighton Foster (Defensive).

Heckaman, a senior quarterback from Hamshire-Fannett, totaled 2,395 yards of offense for the Longhorns to go along with 39 touchdowns. He is the first player from Hamshire-Fannett to win the award.

Other offensive finalists were Lucas Powell (Lumberton), Da’Marrion Morris (LC-M) and Koby Trahan (PN-G).

Foster, a linebacker from Newton, collected 172 tackles with three sacks and two fumble recoveries. His older brother, Corbin, won the award in 2018.

Finalists were Darrius Byrd (Hamshire-Fannett), Amier Washington (LC-M) and Jayron Williams (Silsbee).

Organized by the Beaumont Founders Lions Club, 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. Smith went on to win 235 games, while his sons –Tody and Bubba – are among more than 20 players Coach Smith helped send to the NFL.