The 2019-2020 SHS football season took many fans and players alike, by surprise. What was coined a rebuilding season only functioned as a minor re-tool, as the Jackets reached their second state championship game in three years.
Springfield has much to be proud of this season, and should be rewarded as such. Listed below are your 2019-2020 SHS Football Season Honors, brought to you by Social Dweebs.
Defensive Players of the Year: Mikie Neal & Gabe Kelly
-Springfield's senior linebacker Mikie Neal and Gabe Kelly anchored the Jackets' elite defensive front this season, the former producing 144 tackles to go alongside 12 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. Kelly's junior year finished with 76 total tackles with 7 interceptions and 2 defensive touchdowns. SHS' defense allowed a shade under 20 points this year, an impressive mark for a district entrenched with powerful offenses throughout.
Newcomer of the Year: Keyshawn Robinson
-Keyshawn Robinson did not play a single snap on Friday nights in his first season with SHS, but was a key role player in the Jackets success in 2019: Robinson finished the year with 59 tackles on defense, 8 of which for loss, as well as a fumble recovery and two sacks. The sophomore was also a top-5 receiver for Springfield, hauling in 7 catches for 75 yards and a touchdown.
Special Teams Player of the Year: Cale Jones
-Cale Jones said after a week three contest against White House Heritage that he did not want to miss a snap this season. The senior did just that, playing positions on offense, defense, and special teams. Serving as the team's primary punter, Jones averaged 31 yards per punt on 57 attempts, blocked a kick to propel the Jackets over the Patriots, and served as the team's long snapper en route to a return to Tucker Stadium. The senior also served as one of the team's wide-outs (236 receiving yards and a touchdown), and a defensive back on the opposite side of the ball (8 PBU, 3INT).
Comeback Player of the Year: Kevontay White
-Kevontay White's "Comeback Season" may not fall under the traditional sense of the word, but the tailback rebounded from numerous injuries and misfortunes in the duration of the season to put up a solid senior campaign: rushing for over 1,000 yards with 15 touchdowns. White missed the season opener, an away game at Station Camp, and Springfield's homecoming game against Marshall county, the trio of teams outscoring SHS 89-50 in those games. The senior additionally snatched two interceptions to pair with double-digit tackles at the safety position.
Most Valuable Player: Kevontez Hudson
-A dual-quarterback system could not keep Jackets' MVP Kevontez Hudson off the field this season: the junior torched opposing defenses on the ground and in the air, scoring 27 total touchdowns and over 2,000 all purpose yards. Hudson was crucial in Springfield's route to Tennessee Tech, with twelve postseason touchdowns (nine rushing, three passing). Hudson accredited his coaches, teammates, and patience as a rusher to the maintenance of his body, staying productive and in peak physical condition over the course of all15 games.
-Blaine Kellar is a Broadcasting and Journalism Intern for Social Dweebs, which has covered Springfield High School athletics since 2018.
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