January 15, 2023
By: Dwayne Page
Senior Colby Barnes was named Most Valuable Player of the 2022 DCHS Tiger Football Team during the annual Awards Banquet held Saturday night at the Smithville First Baptist Church Life Enrichment Center building. Meanwhile, Hannah Trapp, a senior received the Most Valuable Football Cheerleader Award.
The trophies, sponsored by Liberty State Bank, were presented to Barnes and Trapp respectively by Tiger Football Coach Steve Trapp and Cheer Coach Amanda Fuller.
Barnes, who set a new all-time season rushing record at DCHS, along with his defensive prowess was a key factor in the Tigers’ success in 2022 as the team completed a 6-5 season and a state playoff appearance at East Hamilton in Ooltewah where the Tigers were defeated 21 to 14 on November 4, 2022. The Tigers finished in 4th place in Class 4A Region 4 at 2-3. It marked the 12th consecutive State Football Play-Off appearance for DeKalb County, the most in school history.
For the season, Barnes had 287 carries for 2,073 yards and 19 touchdowns along with 9 receptions for 69 yards and two touchdowns.
Tiger Coach Steve Trapp said Barnes is one of the best football players ever at DCHS.
“This year he broke records for DCHS Football. He probably had the most rushes in a season with 287. He definitely had the most yards ever rushed for in a season with 2,073. He averaged 7.2 yards every time we put the ball in his belly. He had probably the most touchdowns by a running back or rushing touchdowns in a season ever with 19. He averaged 189 yards per game. In the state playoffs he had 55 carries for 327 yards. Fifty five carries in a game is number 2 in the state of Tennessee all time. The record is 56. For a career, He had 518 rushes for 3,689 yards. I don’t think anyone has topped that. For his career, He averaged 7.1 yards per carry. He had 41 rushing touchdowns. I don’t think anyone else had that. He averaged 100 yards a game for his career rushing. He even had a few receptions through the years. He had 16 total receptions for 114 yards or 7.1 yards per catch and had two touchdowns receiving at 3.1 yards per catch. Colby was a very productive player for us. He was a load on both sides of the football and he is an excellent young man. That’s what makes this even better. Colby is not just a good football player but he has a blue collar work ethic and we are desperately going to miss him. With honor I am proud to announce that Colby Barnes is our Most Valuable Player of the Year,” said Coach Trapp.
During his career at DCHS, Barnes earned the following awards and honors: 2022 Team Captain; 2022 Region 4-4A Offensive Most Valuable Player; 2022 Tennessee Football Coaches Association All State; 2022 Mainstreet Preps All State Honorable Mention; 2022 Farm Bureau Player of the Month in August; 2022 DTC Player of the Year; 2022 DTC All Star; 2022-23 Mr. DCHS; DCHS 2021 Offensive Player of the Year; 2021 Region 4-4A Most Outstanding Defensive Lineman; DCHS 2020 Back of the Year; 2020 All Region 3-4A 2nd Team member.
Meanwhile senior Ean Jones was announced as the winner of the Coach Clay Edwards Memorial Tiger Pride Award. Members of Edwards’ family presented the award to Jones including son Abram Edwards and Abram’s mother Tena Edwards-Jacobs.
In presenting the MVC Award, Cheer Coach Amanda Fuller talked about Trapp’s determination and the example she set for her fellow cheerleaders.
“Hannah is someone her fellow cheerleaders look up to. She is someone they appreciate and with the characteristics they desire to have. Hannah is dependable, helpful, funny, friendly, humble, trustworthy, kind and loyal. There is a quote by Maya Angelou “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”. I think Hannah made her team feel appreciated and she is their friend. She gave 100% of herself in practices and games and made it obvious that cheerleading was very important to her. She has been a cheerleader for me since she was in the seventh grade and she started competition cheer before that. She has battled through a back injury and disorders and has continued to be an excellent flyer and gymnast for our team for four years. She does it all with a sweet personality and a beautiful smile,” said Cheer Coach Fuller.
Other individual Football Player Awards are as follows:
Offensive Player of the Year- Malachi Trapp
Offensive Lineman- Ean Jones
Offensive Back- Jordan Parker
Receiver- Holden Trapp
Defensive Player of the Year- Tyler Estes
Defensive Lineman- Wil Farris
Linebacker- Ari White
Defensive Back- Ty Webb
Special Teams Player- Nolan Gottlied
Most Improved-Chris Pulley
MVP- Colby Barnes
Coach Clay Edwards Memorial Tiger Pride Award-Ean Jones
Scout Team Player of the Year: Aaron Hatfield
Newcomer of the Year: Juan Ortega
Thirteen DCHS Football players and an assistant coach earned 2022 All-Region honors including Tiger Senior Running Back Colby Barnes who was named Offensive Most Valuable Player in Region 4, Class 4A. The region awards are voted on by coaches in the region.
Barnes was joined by Tyler Estes, the region’s Most Outstanding Linebacker; Ean Jones- Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman; Josh May- Most Outstanding Tight End, Malachi Trapp- Most Outstanding Wide Receiver; Holden Trapp- Most Outstanding Returner, and Nolan Gottlied- Most Outstanding Punter.
Tiger Assistant Michael Shaw was named the Region’s Most Outstanding Defensive Assistant Coach of the year.
All Region 1st Team from DeKalb County: Wil Farris, Ty Webb, and Ari White
All Region 2nd Team from DeKalb County: Shadie Rankhorn, Johnny Skinner, and Trace Hamilton.
DTC Player of the Year- Colby Barnes
DTC All Star Team members- Colby Barnes, Tyler Estes, Holden Trapp, Ean Jones, and Malachi Trapp.
Individual Cheer Awards are as follows:
Most Valuable Cheerleader- Hannah Trapp
Most Spirited- Macy Anderson
Best Dancer- Reese Williams
Best Stunts-Morgan Walker
DEAR (Dedication, Enthusiasm, Attitude, and Responsibility- Carlee West
Best Jumps-Ellie Dillard
Best Motions: Carlee West
Five Cheerleaders made the NCA All American Team, Carlee West, Ally Fuller, Ellie Dillard, Deanna Agee, and Lily McDerman.