NATCHEZ &045; Chase Brown ended a stellar high school career in style as the Miss-Lou Chapter of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame awarded him with its highest scholar-athlete honor in its 23rd annual award banquet at the Natchez Eola Hotel on Thursday.

Brown, who had his senior year cut short in Trinity Episcopal’s final regular season football game, was awarded a $2,000 scholarship from the NFF for his work both on and off the field and in the classroom.

&uot;At Trinity, we always have great student-athletes, but no one has ever compared with Chase Brown since I’ve been there,&uot; Saints head football coach and athletic director David King said. &uot;We were able to win a few championships, and play for several more, and Chase was the captain on all of those teams.&uot;

Brown, who maintains a 4.03 grade point average and scored a 24 on his ACT, is an active member in the Natchez Boys and Girls Club, Humane Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Key Club and is a Youth Council representative, among many other accomplishments.

On a night where there no true winners or losers, Brown beat out six other Miss-Lou student-athletes for the highest endowment.

Vidalia placekicker Jeffery Anderson, who scored a 29 on his ACT, received the NFF’S $1,750 scholarship for his efforts with the 4-H Club, class president, FCA, First Assembly of God Church in Natchez and others endeavors.

&uot;I’m very proud of (Anderson. He’s one of the best we’ve ever had come through Vidalia,&uot; Vikings head coach Dee Faircloth said. &uot;I knew for sure his football career was after his sophomore year when a baseball accident broke two bones in his leg. I visited him in the hospital and he said, ‘Coach, I’ll be there in the fall. We had to let him miss that year, but he came back out this season.&uot;

The keynote speaker was University of Louisiana-Monroe head coach Charlie Weatherbie, who reminded everyone in attendance, but specifically those honored, that each of them had special abilities and to use those talents for good because many eyes will be following them.

&uot;You’ve gotta understand that in that leadership role everybody is going to be watching to see how you act and react to things,&uot; Weatherbie advised. &uot;Take the bull by the horns, and say, ‘I’m not going to be just a special athlete, but a special student too.’&uot;

Cathedral’s John Paul Kenda,who ACT score of 31 was the highest of any nominees Thursday, received a $1,500 scholarship for his leadership with the Mayor’s Youth Council, National Honor Society, Key Club and his participation in the 2003 National Leadership Conference to name just a few.

&uot;John Paul is an outstanding student and an outstanding athlete,&uot; Green Wave head coach Ken Beesley said. &uot;He’s probably one of the fiercest competitors I’ve ever coached. He always goes hard on every play. He’s the type of student athlete every coach loves to have.&uot;

Those who received $1,000 scholarships from the NFF were Adams County Christian’s David Barnes, Natchez High’s Anthony Strauder, Huntington’s Adam Trevillion and Ferriday’s Fred Hardaway.

Former Natchez High head coach James Denson brought Strauder, a standout Bulldog defensive lineman who is headed to Mississippi State next season, to the stage, commending his parents, Cheryl and James Smith for the work they have done with Strauder.

&uot;Life is hard by the yard, but a cinch by the inch,&uot; waxed Denson, who was fired last month after three seasons and two wins. &uot;Let’s continue to put the responsibility on our kids’ shoulders to make sure their feet stay on the ground.&uot;