LENOIR CITY HIGH SCHOOL
PANTHER PRIDE FOOTBALL TEAM HOLDS BANQUET

It was almost Christmas Day, but Coach Nick White knew his team needed to have their banquet to celebrate what they had accomplished. They needed a celebration for their continued efforts this past season.  So, on Sunday afternoon, December 17, at 2:30 p.m., at First Baptist Church in Lenoir City, the Lenoir City football team along with parents, grandparents, friends, siblings, and coaches met to fellowship, have some good desserts, reminisce about the season, and honor their teammates.   

Head Coach White presided over the festivities.  He started by recognizing all of the 75 gold, silver, sign, and meal sponsors, who each contributed so graciously to the program.  These are listed after the news items on this web page.  He then recognized all the hard work the Football Booster Club had done this past season, from getting a new Panther Shed built, to refurbishing the bleachers and field house, handling Panther Cards and all meals for the team, and all contributions and fundraising, and the purchase of new uniforms for the team.  He thanked the officers, Chuck Gentry, President; Jack James, Vice-President; Debbie Hensley, Secretary; Lisa Hammett, Treasurer; and Sam Hammett, Fundraising; Jenni Hamilton, Hospitality/Web; and Mike Bluford, Electronic Communications, for a job well done and much appreciated.  He also thanked the School Board and Administration for their support in the efforts of the team and the club. 

Because of the adversities and illnesses that the team had faced all season, many of the young players, freshmen and sophomores, had playing time and gained experience for their efforts.  Coach White, along with Coaches Dominic Petrozzella, Jason Myers, Brian Gossett, Mike Frazier, and Cory McAdams, decided to present “letters” to all the team members including the young players, managers, and trainers.  Each class was presented and with pride each one gladly accepted their letters. 

Coach White then continued as he recognized the All-Region Academic and Team Member, Kevin Harman; and the All-Region Honorable Mention Team Members, Zack Cusick, Jason Studwell, Lincoln Walters; Justin Brannam, all Seniors; and Sam Keener, and Kevin Hensley, both Juniors.  Each of these had also previously been recognized by the News-Herald as members of the All-County Football team. 

The Captains’ Award was presented to Zack Cusick and Kevin Harman, which was given to them in honor of their continued perseverance and encouragement to their team as they faced each trial together and rose to the occasion of fighting harder in each game.  Coach White stated that between these two players, they had not missed 10 workouts or practices in their four years on the team. 

The 2006 highlight video was then played for the crowd and the team was cheered on for their outstanding efforts in facing all odds that came their way.  The Senior Class, who had played together since elementary school, started with 16, but ended with only 8 of the hardest fighting players in the 4-A classification.  The seniors included the All-Region team members and Brad Christian, Mitchell Varner, and David Bearden.  The video and the season were dedicated in loving memory of Brian Christian. 

In closing, Coach Nick White reflected on the year by choosing to read a tribute from their web to the team.  He read, “This year the football banquet was a celebration of hard fought battles with a team that kept on fighting.  It has been quoted that "The race is not always to the swift, but to those who keep on running."  The 2006 LC Panther Pride Football Team kept on running.  With the loss of four starters before the season began, five starters during the season, and one for half the season due to illness, these young men fought till the end.  They never gave up.  They faced teams that were bigger, teams that were faster, and the state champs; but through all that they continued their fight.   

It was uphill all the way, but these young men reached the summit.  It wasn't with higher scores in most of the games, it wasn't always with the most rushing yards, nor was it with the most tackles or passes, but it was with CHARACTER AND DETERMINATION.  Sports Reporters from around the region watched this team as they fought and admired them for their sheer will.  These boys became men this year because they faced more adversity that most deal with in a life time.  This season they learned how to group, recoup, regroup, and continue.  This season will help all of them cope with life,  which is not always kind and which offers many hurts.  They are stronger young men for having gone through this.  All of them wanted to make it to the playoffs, sure they did.  We all did.  But these guys made it to the playoff of life.  It wasn't easy, but they made it through.   

We salute this team!  These are real young men.  Young men to look up to, where every aspect of life in which they are involved, they have stepped up to the challenge.   They gave it no less than their best!   LENOIR CITY PANTHER PRIDE FOOTBALL TEAM - WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!!!!