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In a key 15A contest, the Cardinals (5-0) dominated on both sides of the ball to hold Scotts Hill (2-3) to their lowest point total of the season. Adamsville's five wins this season has already matched the number of wins they had in 2008 and has them poised for a strong playoff push. Once the laughing stock of West Tennessee football, coach Gray has helped return the team back to its winning ways of the mid-80's when the Cardinals were regulars in the postseason.
"We are tremendously proud of the things Coach Gray has been able to do both in our community and with the kids here at Adamsville High," said Adamsville Athletic Director Ricky Coffman. "From his playing days here at Adamsville till now, he is well respected and has brought unprecedented excitement to our program. What a great honor it is for him to be selected for this award."
Through the Titans Foundation, team owner K.S. "Bud" Adams, Jr. will make a $1,000 contribution to the Adamsville High School football program in Coach Gray's honor.
"High school football enjoys a great tradition in Tennessee," said Adams. "That tradition is based not only on the outstanding quality of play but on the devotion of their coaches who continue to develop high school football players into young men of strong character. I'm very pleased to underwrite this program that recognizes the efforts of so many talented high school coaches across the state!"
Coach Gray will be the team's guest at the Titans vs. St. Louis Rams contest on December 13th when the team honors all 2009 Coach of the Week winners and announces the winner of the 2009 Coach of the Year! Coach Gray is now eligible for the Tennessee Titans Coach of the Year award and Adams will make an additional $2,000 grant to the Titans Coach of the Year winner on that date.
Also receiving strong consideration in this week's poll was Wiley Brackett of Oliver Springs High who led his team to a victory over neighboring rival Coalfield 48-2 and now is in first place in District 4A; Jeremy Jenkins of Daniel Boone High School whose team defeated Dobyns-Bennett 17-14 for the first time in 24 years; Don Coady of Westview High School whose team upset previously unbeaten Dyersburg 21-7.
Now in its 12th season, Mr. Adams has awarded more than $124,000 from the Titans Foundation to football programs across the state in honor of the Coach of the Week winners.
"High school football coaches can play a role in the lives of their players that will have lasting results," said NFL director of football operations Gene Washington. "A competitive spirit, good sportsmanship and character development are some of the issues confronted on a daily basis by football coaches. We are thankful for the many coaches around the country who assume such a demanding role."
The criterion for selection includes the coach's impact on his team, school and community. A statewide media panel votes each week to determine the weekly winner. All high school football coaches in Tennessee, regardless of their school's size, league, or division, are eligible to be selected each week. The program is designed to recognize high school coaches who transform, through their hard work and dedication, student-athletes into the best possible football players and citizens in their community.
