Central High Football Banquet Honors Graduating Seniors

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CENTRAL — Central High School seniors who were part of three straight District 5-5A championships were honored during the team’s annual banquet Friday night, March 25 at the Fraternal Order of Police Hall on Greenwell Springs Road.

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Atlanta Falcons star center Todd McClure, the keynote speaker for the event, told the athletes to focus on grades.  “I’m looking for the next NFL player to come out of Central High School, but we know there will only be a few.  Only eight in 10,000 high school students go on to the pros.  But you can be the best lawyer, doctor, and father in the world.  The key will be hard work and commitment.  Find something you will be the best at.”

Coach Doug Dotson and the coaching staff presented the first-ever Lesage Award to McClure, as a tribute to his accomplishments and his continued commitment to Central High School.  They also honored Coach David Lesage with the award, which is named after the legendary coach, who is retiring from coaching this season.

Coach Doug Dotson also announced the new Central Fight Award, which was presented to Ryan Gonzales.  Dotson said, “What is Central fight?  Before I came to Central, I heard these kids will fight you — with great heart!  We saw it when we beat Acadiana.  We saw against Brother Martin when we were down four points and blocked a chip shot field goal and ran the ball back for a touchdown.  We saw it against Ouachita when we were behind with long yardage and 1.6 seconds left on the clock.  We saw it blocking a Bronco field goal in overtime to win the game. That’s Central Fight!  It’s about going above and beyond what is expected.  Even going beyond your talent level.  The young man who’s going to be presented this award tonight epitomizes all these characteristics.  He’s a lineman who’s only 5’6″ and weighs 146 pounds.  But he’s there every week busting it.  He proves it’s not the size of the dog in the fight but the size of the fight in the dog that counts!”

Coach Steve Johnson presented the coveted Iron Cat Award to Taylor Jenkins.  This award, which is voted on my the players after summer camp, is a recognition of character and work ethic.

Coach Lesage presented the three Team Captain Awards to Cooper Moore, Gregg Morris, and Taylor Jenkins.  Lesage said these young will have great memories of high school.  “To think that you would be voted Team Captain of this team that won three straight district championships, particularly this year when your team wasn’t supposed to do anything.  It is quite a tribute to your leadership,” he said.

Central High School principal Bob Wales presented the Outstanding Scholar Award to Trevor Sansone and provided some interesting statistics about the young man, who is also defending State Champion in the 100 meter dash.  “I want to mention two numbers — 4.39 and 4.29.  Trevor has a GPA of 4.39, and he runs the 40 meter dash in 4.29!  In all of America, there are very few students whose grade point average is higher than their time in the 40!  He may not be the only student in that class, but I guarantee you it wouldn’t take long to call roll!”

Coach Rob Chapman, who played on the Central High football team with Todd McClure, presented the All-State awards to J. R. Richardson and Austin Watts.

Coach Justin Hutchinson, who produced a powerful video on the season for the banquet, presented the All-Metro awards to J. R. Richardson and Zack Hedrick.

Coach David Simoneaux told how much he has enjoyed being at Central High this year after having spent his entire life playing and coaching at Parkview.  “Some people told me not to take this job, but it was a great decision, because I’ve found a family here.”  Simoneaux presented the All-District awards, which are voted on by the coaches of District 5-5A.  “The irony of the All-District awards is that we as Central coaches get to nominate our players, but we cannot vote for them.  The other coaches of the districts are the ones who chose our players for this high honor,” he said.

Speaking of Coach David Lesage and the new Lesage Award, Central schools Athletic Director Sid Edwards said, “Coach Lesage does everything you can imagine for this team, including cutting the grass at Wildcat Stadium.  You know, we can replace him cutting the grass, but we can never replace the love that he has for these young men.”  Among many other unique qualities, Lesage is known for hosting a sleepover at his house for some of the players the night before each game. One player said afterwards, “Coach Lesage builds our camaraderie, feeds us well, makes sure we get a good night’s sleep, and keeps us out of trouble.   We go to the game much stronger because of him.”

Falcons’ star Todd McClure, who was praised for his longevity and Christian values as a pro football player, said to be successful in the pros you have to be willing to outwork and outfight the competition.  “You have to set high goals.  I wanted to be a baseball player and then I turned to football.  I remember during the interview process, the coach from the Carolina Panthers asked me my goal.  I told him it was to be in the Pro Bowl.  He said, ‘Well, that’s too high.  Right now, your goal should be to make the team.’  But I told him that wasn’t high enough.  Now, after 13 years, I haven’t make the Pro Bowl yet but I am still working on it.”

McClure is considered an iron man for Atlanta, at one point starting 144 straight games, a record that still stands.

“My dad has been my greatest encourager.  When I was at Central High, he told me, ‘Todd, you have ability, but you’re lazy!’  He said, ‘I want you to be the first one at drills — be a leader of the team.  Everybody will be watching you.’  That had a great impact on my life.  One day I got a compliment from one of the centers on our team at Atlanta.  He said, ‘Todd, when I got here, I didn’t know what to expect from you.  You’d been playing 12 years.  But it inspires me to see that you are the first one at drill everyday.’  That’s what my dad told me!”

“How have I lasted?  The No. 1 reason is Jesus Christ!  He’s my Lord and Saviour!  When I arrived at Atlanta’s first summer camp, I tore my ACL and it looked like I would never play.  But a fullback came up and invited me to a Bible study.  I went, and I rededicated my life.  My wife and I conduct Bible studies in our home every week.  There are so many temptations in professional sports, and being close to God is the answer,” he said.

“The other thing that’s kept me there is that I have outworked everyone they sent in to replace me.  The day I signed up with Atlanta, someone told me, ‘Do you realize they are already looking for your replacement?’  That’s why I work so hard!’

When asked how long he wants to continue playing, McClure laughed and said, “I tell my wife every year, ‘Just two more years!’  That’s been going on for five years!  But I still don’t have the Superbowl ring.  Realistically, I’m hoping for three more years.”

Coach Simoneaux produced a humorous video tribute to Coach Lesage which everyone enjoyed.

The group left with a sense of sadness over the departing seniors but optimism for the future of Central football.

Central High players and families are authorized to use photos from the Central High football banquet for personal use.  No publication or other use permitted without written permission of Central City News.  Copyright 2011 by Woody Jenkins, all rights reversed.