Back to Athletic Page     MHS FOOTBALL BANQUET     January 12, 2004

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Article & Pictures:  Courtesy of Bill Davison, Family Medical & Dave Poynor, Monahans News
Web Pages:  Christina Wheeler, Digital Graphics and Animation

2003 Lobo Football Award Winners   Top of Page

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FOOTBALL CELEBRATION TIME
    Large crowd honors district champs at annual banquet    
     -- by Dave Poynor, Sports Editor -- Monahans News -- January 14, 2004

An undefeated district football championship season had a well-deserved celebration at the annual Lobo Football Banquet Monday night.

The always entertaining Jerry Larned was the host for the night and began the ceremonies after the meal served by Max's Cooking.  Larned, former MHS coach and superintendent, kept the event rolling smoothly through introductions, humor, and his personal congratulations to award winners.

The emcee passed the microphone to head coach Larry Hanna, who recognized boosters, VIP's, and those behind the scenes who supported Lobo Football 2003.

Hanna then introduced junior varsity coach Richard Earle and freshman coach Chris Simpson.  Each in turn recognized their respective teams and talked about their own undefeated district championships this season.  Both coaches spoke of the future as these underclassmen progress.

The head coach then went over the season of the varsity Loboes, highlighting their work ethic in learning a new offense. He talked about team chemistry and unselfishness as keys to the team's success, and  spoke of the enjoyment the coaching staff had with this year's group.

The first award announced was the captains, a tradition Hanna saves for the banquet.  The captains are voted on by the team early in the season, but not announced.  This year's team leaders were Dimas Porras, Ben Swanson, Jesus Pedroza, and Lance Porter.  Each of the four would make numerous trips to the stage before the night was over.

Coach Hanna then introduced each of the varsity team members and called them up, citing special honors they received at season's end.  Each individual received an ovation from the large crowd.

Offensive line coach Shad Hanna presented the Outstanding Offensive lineman award to Porter, the center who played a vital role in the shotgun spread offense.  Fermin Vasquez won the defensive lineman award, presented by Coach Cary Tyson.

Defensive coaches Mickey Mitchell and Mitch Woodard presented awards to Porras (linebacker), and Matt Walsh (defensive back).

Other offensive awards went to Ruben Arroyo at receiver, presented by Layne Elkins, and Kevin Kenyon and Johnny Rodriguez.  Kenyon and Rodriguez both won offensive back awards, presented by David Burnett.  The two honors for special effort followed, and both went to seniors.  The Fighting Heart went to offensive lineman Alex Ligon, and Cody Krone won the Big 'E' award.

Coach Hanna himself presented a very special academic award to Ben Swanson.  Pointing out the unusually high number of honor roll athletes on this year's team.  Hanna said Ben Swanson's Senior Lobo Academic Achievement Award was an even greater honor.

Walsh, Vasquez, and Swanson were honored with the three scholarships given on the night.  The Lobo Booster Club picked Vasquez for the Todd Welch Memorial and Swanson for the Bud Rollins Memorial.  The Houston Branam scholarship went to Walsh.

Sports Editor Dave Poynor announced Dimas Porras as the Monahans News MVP as the final player award of the night.

Hanna ended the evening with a special presentation.  Speaking of the hours sacrificed, the caring for all the athletes, and the efforts to inspire them, he announced Dr. Bill Davison as the winner of the third annual Pat Fritsche You Can Count on Me Award.  Davison, the volunteer sports photographer for the News, spends countless hours printing pictures for parent, coaches, and locker rooms.  He is also the football team physician, putting down his camera when injuries occur.

Larned praised the 2003 team and challenged the 2004 Loboes to pick up where the seniors left then.  He told the underclassmen the time to start the work for next year was now.

The varsity cheerleaders ended the evening with the school song.

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