PHOTO BY BRIAN HOFFMAN
The Glenvar High football team celebrated their 2025 state runnerup season with a dinner and awards ceremony Sunday afternoon. The event was held at the Moose Lodge on 311.
Highlander coach Kevin Clifford and his staff awarded letters to deserving players and also recognized boys who made All-Three Rivers District, All-Region 2C and All-State Class 2 teams. Jayvee coach Neil Swanson recognized the jayvee team and handed out special awards.
Clifford and assistants took turns presenting some special team awards. Among them Nick Wilson received the Crunch Award for hardest hitter while Jake Franklin was named Rookie of the Year. “Special Force” honors for special teams performance went to Jacob Campbell on defense and Ranger Swanson on offense.
Cooper Mullins, who played with torn ligaments in his ankle for some of the season, was presented the “Jacob Noble Toughman Award.” Noble once played an entire season on an injured knee. Jackson Hartman received the “Michael Sandridge Team Spirit Award” while Rawlin Hanks was named the “Unsung Hero” for his willingness to play many positions and excel at all.
Jace Forster was selected as the Most Improved on Defense and Trey Dawyot received the same on Offense. Cale Vaughan was presented the Coaches’ Award.
Senior Brody Dawyot, who is already in school at UNC-Charlotte and preparing to play for the 49ers next season, received two awards. He was presented the Iron Man Award and also the Tim Woods “Heart and Soul Award.” Former Glenvar assistant coach Scott Woods presented the award in honor of his late son Tim, who was a standout player for the Highlanders but was killed in a motorcycle accident while serving in the military.
The event concluded with senior members of the team honoring the coaches.
