JT Football Banquet: Devlen Woods, Frankie Sanchez, Cameron Grant share Team MVP honors

Published 8:42 pm Thursday, February 7, 2019

The John Tyler High School football program celebrated a successful season on the gridiron as well as in the classroom while receiving an inspirational speech from a former Cujo great on Thursday.

Before a packed house at St. Louis Baptist Church, hardware was given out by JT football coach Ricklan Holmes at the annual John Tyler Football Banquet.

Quarterback Devlen Woods, kicker/punter Frankie Sanchez and defensive back/running back Cameron Grant shared Team Most Valuable Player honors on a Lions squad that won the District 7-5A Division I championship and advanced to the fourth round of the playoffs.

Also, five players earned academic all-state honors from the Texas High School Coaches Association — Woods, Grant, Christian Hartsfield, Christian Camacho and KaDarian Asbell. Holmes said they had to maintain a 3.5 GPA not just in their senior year, but throughout their academic career.

Teddy Williams, who ran track in college and did not play football, just completed his eighth season in the NFL.

Williams noted that he suffered a leg injury during his senior year at JT and the doctor told him he would never be able to run or play football again.

Williams recovered and went on to run in four track meets in the spring for JT, including the Texas Relays and the UIL state championships. A coach at UT San Antonio saw him in Austin and offered him a track scholarship.

He went on to star at UTSA, running a 9.9 in the 100-meter dash, and earning All-America honors. He was invited to the 2008 Olympic Trials and ran for the U.S. internationally. 

After college, Williams ran a 4.26 and 4.27 in the 40-yard dash in a workout in Missouri and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones tracked him down and offered him a contract. He later played for the Carolina Panthers and in Super Bowl 50. He is currently a free agent.

Williams told the students that he made his mom a promise to get his degree.

“The biggest smile I have ever seen on her face was when I walked across the stage to get my degree,” Williams said. “You may be get injured, but they will never take away your education.”

Highlights of the 10-3 season were shown with all the big plays.

Other awards were: 

Athletic Trainer Awards — Student Trainer of the Year, Jisselle Crispin; Leader of the Year, Adalynn Gaona; and Most Improved, Jennifer Hernandez.

Video Crew Award — Film Crew Member of the Year, Corby Wade.

Michael Johnson Award — Newcomer of the Year, Anthony Minor, Kimbrick McCaney and Ashton Williams.

Cujo Award — Player with most Heart, Victor Gomez, KaDarian Asbell.

DL of The Year — Best Defensive Lineman, Christian Hartsfield.

OL of the Year — Best Offensive Lineman, Chance Billington, Ja’Bralen Yarber, Angel Sarmiento, Victor Gomez and Breylon Johnson.

LB of the Year — Best Linebacker, Jarrius Lane.

RB of the Year — Best Running Back, Rod Hawkins Jr.

DB of the Year — Best Defensive Back, Cameron Grant.

WR of the Year — Best Wide Receiver, Ke’Andre Street, K’Lon Warren.

Special Team MVP — Best Special Teams Player, Frankie Sanchez.

Defensive MVP — Tyrell Jones, Isaiah Johnson.

Offensive MVP — Devlen Woods, Rod Hawkins Jr.

Holmes also gave out letter jackets to the students and special glasses to the JT coaches and the 7-on-7 coaches, plus gold balls to all varsity members.

Channing Curry, assistant principal at JT, served as master of ceremony and JT principal Chanel Howard-Veasy welcomed the crowd.

The Rev. Ralph Caraway Sr., pastor of St. Louis Baptist Church, gave the invocation.

Dr. Marty Crawford, Tyler ISD superintendent, Tyler ISD athletic director Greg Priest, and new TISD assistant athletic director Donnie Little, the former University of Texas quarterback, were on hand.

Spring Creek Barbeque catered the event.