More Than Athletes: Tallahassee Quarterback Club Celebrates the Accomplishments of Our Football Community

On Tuesday, December 11, at the University Center Club of Florida State University, the Tallahassee Quarterback Club presented end of the season awards to a host of Tallahassee Area football players.

Around 150 people attended the event, known as the Jamboree, and though the awards focused primarily on high school student-athletes, several awards recognized collegiate student-athletes from FAMU & FSU and one head football coach.

Tim Brando, who calls sporting events for Fox Sports, was the ceremony’s featured speaker. Mr. Brando spoke directly to the youth saying, “Don’t let anybody tell you: ‘Oh those kids today.’ ” Mr. Brando said, “I see more of what’s right with the youth of today because of athletics.” He pointed out that athletics bring values like “commitment, purpose, and passion” to the surface of life.

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The night’s message was clear: Football may have brought us together, but uplifting our community’s humanity is what we really strive for. Mr. Brando capped-off his talk by recognizing Coach Jimbo Fisher (who was in attendance for his son’s reception of an award), saying, “I spoke to Coach Jimbo earlier and told him, ‘Congratulations Dad,’ because he is here as a dad tonight, that is what is really special.”

The Tallahassee Quarterback Club has been part of our community since 1949, when it was founded to support high school and college football. To learn more about the Tallahassee Quarterback Club, visit their website at TallahasseeQBClub.com.

Here are the award winners:

Gene Cox Most Valuable Player

Javon Morgan, Florida High | 30 rec, 488 yards, 5 TD, 37 carries, 309 yards, 5 Touchdowns,

56 Tackles, 38 Solo, 2 Interceptions, 1 Touchdown, 478 Kick-odd/Punt return yards, 3 Touchdowns

Charlie Ward Offensive Players of the Year (2 winners)

Trey Fisher, Godby High School | 145/247 passing, 2505 yards, 27 Touchdowns, 1 Rushing Touchdown

Chris Beard, Lincoln High School | 150/251 passing 2049 yards, 17 Touchdowns, 94 carries, 502 yards, 7 Touchdowns

Mickey Andrews Defensive Players of the Year (2 winners)

Jolan Gilley, Florida High | 71 Tackles, 41 Solo, 16 Tackles For Loss, 11.5 Sacks, 2 Fumbles Recovered, 4 Fumbles Forced

Deangelo Mitchell, North Florida Christian | 65 Tackles, 7 Interceptions, 1 returned 109 yards for a Touchdown

Vaughn Mancha Offensive Lineman of the Year

Evan Quigley, Lincoln High School | Graded out for the year at 88%, 46 pancake blocks, 24 knockdowns, 3 Sacks allowed

Receiver of the Year

Robert Parker-Crawford, Maclay School | 29 receptions, 679 yards, 11 Touchdowns

Amos P. Godby Student Athlete of the Year

Kamari Young, Godby High School | 4.1 GPA, 3.8 High School GPA, 2 Advanced Placement classes, Engineering Courses, 2 TCC classes

Special Teams Player of the Year

Tyler Keltner, Chiles High School | 10/12 Field Goals, 46 long, 41/41 PAT, Punt – 27/1147 yd, 43 average

Dale Doss Courage Award Winner

JD Jerry, North Florida Christian

Bobby Bowden High School Coach of the Year

Steve Price, North Florida Christian

Jake Gaither Sportsmanship Award – given to the FAMU player who shows the best sportsmanship during the season

Elijah Richardson, Florida A&M

 Bob Crenshaw Awards – given to the FSU players who shows the “biggest heart”

(Offensive) Derrick Kelly II, Florida State University

(Defensive) Dontavious Jackson, Florida State University

Tallahassee’s peewee Pop Warner football team received special recognition for winning this year’s national championship.