Area high school standouts set to be honored at banquet

Published 12:00 am Monday, February 22, 2016

NATCHEZ — Six area high school football standouts will receive a special scholarship Feb. 25 for their performance on and off the field.

Standouts from Cathedral, Adams County Christian School, Ferriday, Natchez and Trinity Episcopal will receive $1,000 to $3,000 dollars in scholarship money from the Miss-Lou Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame at its annual Scholarship Awards Banquet.

Miss-Lou chapter treasurer Freddie Sandel said coaches from the local schools worked in conjuction with school counselors to submit their selections for the scholarship money.

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“They give us everything about them,” Sandel said.

Adams County Christian School’s Chisum Mardis, Cathedral High School’s Jackson Carpenter, Ferriday High School’s Delandrius Dunbar, Natchez’s High School’s Carl Knight Jr., Trinity Episcopal’s Ernest Chatman Jr. and Vidalia High School’s Lee Ford will serve as the 2015-16 recipients of the annual scholarship.

“The money is something they can use in their next level of education,” Sandel said.

Sandel noted the award is not only special for the athletes, but also for the Miss-Lou organization in giving back to the community.

“It’s very rewarding for us,” Sandel said. “When you get those kids in there, and they know that they have accomplished something, and they are recognized for it … it makes him feel good. A kid that is really good at football and scholastically, that says a lot. We want to make those kids feel good.”

Sandel added seven local junior high scholar athletes will also be recognized within the Miss-Lou.

Sandel said anywhere from 170-250 people attend the event yearly, as attendance has typically been determined based on the guest speaker.

This year’s event will feature former Ole Miss and New Orleans Saints running back Deuce McAllister.

“We’re excited about Deuce being our speaker,” Sandel said. “I’ve talked to him several times about being our speaker, and he’s excited about it, too. He’s looking forward to it.”

The ceremony will also recognize two other locals and their achievements in the community.

Former Natchez High basketball coach Mike Martin will receive the Distinguished American Award, while the late Robert “Red” Owens will be honored with the Contributor to Amateur Football award.

The banquet will take place at the Natchez Community Center. Tickets can be purchased by calling Sandel at 601-442-9246.

“We’re just trying to recognize some people that have done a really outstanding job,” Sandel said.