Arrow football team honored at banquet

By Danny C. Davis

Ninth-grade football award winners included (l to r) Grant Williams, Trevion Casnel, Jaden Johnson and Anthony Blake.

The 2023 Arrow football team was honored by the Arrow Touchdown Club at the annual awards banquet held recently at Anderson Hall at Mississippi College.

Arrow supporter James Stringer opened the banquet in prayer.

Arrow Touchdown Club president Tony Howard welcomed players, parents, and guests and recognized the Club officers and thanked them for all of their support during the season.
Sumner Hill ninth-grade football awards were given out first by Arrow assistant coach Anthony Sanford.

Recognized were Jaden Johnson as Most Outstanding Offensive player, Tyler Dabney as Most Improved Offensive Player, Trevion Casnal as Most Outstanding Defensive Player, Anthony Blake as Most improved Defensive Player, Graham Williams with the Arrow Award, and John Jackson with the Scholar Athlete Award.

Arrow head coach and athletic director Judd Boswell thanked Tony Howard and the Arrow Touchdown Club for providing the banquet and his assistant coaches and their wives for their hard work and dedication, then gave comments about the past season.

“I have coached for a long time, and each year brings different obstacles, just like in life,” said Boswell. “In twenty-four years of coaching, I have never been around a more resilient group of guys – and coaches, as well. Every time something happens in life, we have choices to make how we handle adversity. And I knew every day these guys came out that we were going to get their best; and they gave their best. Were they the most talented team we have ever had? No, but they will all be one of the most successful groups that have graduated from Clinton High School that I have ever coached.”

“I have been have associated with over 1,400 kids here at Clinton, including players and managers, over my twelve years here,” continued Boswell. “And I cherish each one of those relationships. I thank every one of those kids for the good times and bad times we have all been through and how they handled everything thrown their way.”

Boswell then presented varsity football awards.

All-State players included Hayden Wolfe, All-State kicker, and Veshone Malone, All-State defensive back.

All-Region 2-7A players included Hayden Wolfe, All-Region 2-7A Special Teams Most Valuable Player, and Veshone Malone, All-Region 2-7A Defensive Back.

Arrow football scholarships were recognized, with Hayden Wolfe and T. J. Spann headed to Northwest Community College, Veshone Malone going to Hinds Community College, and Jonathan Flowers going to East Mississippi Community College.

Varsity football award winners included (l to r), front row: Jakobe Williams, Hayden Wolfe and Brady Torrence; and back row: Jonathan Flowers, Veshone Malone, Lucian Price and Joseph Peabody.

Arrow Awards were given to Joseph Peabody, Jonathan Flowers and Jakobe Williams.

Roy Burkett Leadership Awards were awarded to Brady Torrence and Lucian Price.

Also awarded were the Ray and Karen Johansson scholarships, presented by James Stringer and Nations in their absence. Two $500 scholarships were given to Devaughan Hubbard and Benny Jenkins.

The Northside Baptist Church ministry scholarships, also presented by Ricky Nations and James Stringer, were given to Devaughn Hubbard and Vincent Travis. The scholarships, in their twelfth year, are $750 each.

Arrow touchdown president Tony Howard addressed the players about work ethic and what it takes to be successful in life, and he gave encouragement to the players. He said there may be players more talented, but there is no excuse for not being the hardest worker.

Senior Hayden Wolfe was recognized at the banquet for his “Kick A Wish” fundraiser this season, which earned over $12,000 for a Make a Wish child’s wish.

Senior players Hayden Wolfe, Brady Torrence, Jonathan Flowers and Cayden Wilson all presented Coach Boswell with a gift from the team and wished him well as he leaves as the Arrow head football coach for twelve years and will be the Arrows Athletic Director.