Keith MacPherson, Sports Editor
Gainesville Daily Register
CALLISBURG — After winning the District 5-2A Division I championship, it should come as no surprise that the all-district team is loaded with Wildcats.
Callisburg took three of the seven superlative honors and placed nine players on the first and second teams in the list released by the coaches once all league playoff teams are eliminated.
Callisburg’s Clay McKenzie took the top honor, earning the district’s Most Valuable Player award unanimously after a senior season that saw him rush for 1,719 yards and 24 touchdowns. He also threw for 502 yards as a part-time quarterback, led the team with three interceptions on defense and was the team’s punter and kicker.
McKenzie and the Wildcats finished the year 9-2 before falling to Dangerfield in the area round 32-21.
Senior Jacob Barton was named the league’s Defensive MVP. Barton spearheaded a defense that limited opponents to less than 10 points in four games and less than 20 in six games.
First-year Callisburg coach Ritchie Pinckard and his staff was named the district’s Coaching Staff of the Year.
Whitesboro’s Collin Kilcrease was named the Offensive MVP. Clayton Stringer was named the All-Purpose Player of the Year and Kyle Lester was named the Lineman of the Year for Whitesboro.
Callisburg running back Dakota Tinney was named to the first-team offense. Logan Smithson also got the nod at lineman.
Callisburg’s Kyle Rochell was one of two unanimous picks at first-team linebacker. Rheyce Childress was named first-team defensive back.
Second team offensive selections for Callisburg was Childress (wide receiver) as well as linemen Gunnar Bauwin and Jeffrey Sanborn.
Second team defensive selections for Callisburg were Sanburn (defensive line) and Dusty Taylor (defensive back).
