Chiefs athletic department holds annual football awards ceremony

By JOHN SMITHSON

The North Myrtle Beach High School Chiefs football team took time on Sunday night, Jan. 8, to hand out awards and give recognition to the players who performed well throughout the 2022 season.

Coach Greg Hill, who took over the head coaching duties last year, presided over the awards ceremony.

Coach Hill, despite the 2-9 record, still praised his team throughout the year for not giving up and playing the game to its end, no matter the score.

Wayne White and Tyler Watkins have been broadcasting Chiefs games for many years, and Sunday night White was on the agenda to talk about the game balls that he handed out to players who distinguished themselves during the game being broadcast each week.

Other awards, recognition and certificates were handed out by Hill and his coaches.

From the JV team, the Most Improved Offensive Skill Award went to Luke Breeden. Most Improved Offensive Lineman Award went to Matthew Murphy. Mike Cavallini won the Most Improved Defensive Skill Award and Jayden Springirth was Most Improved Defensive Lineman.

Varsity certificates included: Rogdrico Gause-Coaches Award, Chance Hall, Chief Student-Athlete Award, Brown Reaves, the Unsung Hero Award, Chance Hall, Offensive Skill Award, DeQuan Durham, Offensive Big Skill Award, Jamari Brooks, Offensive Lineman Award.
Kaden Gore received the Most Improved Offense Award from My Horry News, and Chase Sturgeon received the Defensive Skill Award from My Horry News.

The Defensive Big Skill Award went to Jonathon Francois. The Defensive Lineman Award was given to Isiah Black, and the Most Improved Defense Award went to Evans Bellamy.

Avery Duncan and Abe White each received a Spirit Award. A Special Teams Award went to Preston Todd.

Also mentioned by coach Hill were the 6AAAA All Region players from North Myrtle Beach High School.

First team Offensive Linemen were Jamari Brooks and Jacqari Witherspoon. Isiah Black was named as a defensive lineman, Chase Sturgeon as a defensive back and Preston Todd as a punter.

Second team mentions went to offensive lineman Brown Reaves, wide receiver Landon Cloninger, running back DeQuan Durham, linebacker Jonathon Francois, and Abraham White as an all-purpose team member.

Lifters of the year awards went to: 9th- Evan Smith, 10th- Tanner Pietila, 11th-Darius Lamartz and 12th- Rogdrico Gause.

The Offseason Award went to JacQari Witherspoon. The JV Team Before Self Award was presented to Espen Thomas and Landon Cloninger received the Varsity Team Before Self Award.