Now that football season is over, the postseason awards have begun and several area players are already reaping the rewards.

On Thursday night in Oxford, WJXS TV 24 held its third annual KFC Pigskin Roundup All-Star Team Banquet to honor players throughout Northeast Alabama. Newly-hired Clemson head football coach Dabo Swinney was the guest speaker.

Cherokee County head coach Tripp Curry was named the Coach of the Year. Curry guided the Warriors (14-1) to the Class 4A title game, where they lost to UMS-Wright 41-7.

In addition to Curry’s honor, three Warriors were selected to the team. Junior quarterback Coty Blanchard and junior receiver Gabriel Chambers were named to the offensive unit. On defense, junior linebacker Caleb Crane was selected.

Blanchard passed for 2,402 yards and 26 touchdowns this season. He also rushed for 978 yards on 164 carries with 13 scores.

Chambers led the Warriors in receptions with 57 catches for 838 yards and six touchdowns. Crane led the defense with 238 total tackles, including 25 for losses, six pass break-ups, four forced fumbles, three sacks, two fumble recoveries and an interception return for a touchdown.

The Piedmont Bulldogs (10-3) had two representatives on the team in junior offensive lineman Seth Reedy and senior linebacker Daniel Hammett.

Reedy graded out at 93 percent for the season and finished with 52 pancake blocks. Hammett led the Bulldog defense with 152 tackles, including 27 for losses, eight sacks, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two pass break-ups and an interception.

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Speaking of honors, you can catch a special 4-page tribute to the Warrior football team entitled “A Season to Remember” inside Wednesday’s edition of The Herald.

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Even more honors are coming.

In Wednesday’s section, you’ll see the coaches’ selections for the All-Cherokee County Volleyball team. In next week’s edition, we’ll have the All-Cherokee County Football team.

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Basketball coaches, please remember to send me your basketball stats for the remainder of the season. I plan to run stats on The Herald’s website every week throughout the remainder of the season.

If you have any questions, please feel free to let me know. My e-mail address is sfagan@cherokeeherald.com. My office number is 927-5037 and The Herald's fax number is 927-4853.