Newberry Honors Local Athletes at Annual Touchdown Club Banquet

News Summary

The Newberry County Touchdown Club held its annual banquet at Central United Methodist Church, celebrating the achievements of local high school and college athletes. Guest speaker Joe Walker emphasized the importance of decision-making, while awards were presented to outstanding athletes, including the 2024 Donnie Shell Award recipient, Jemarian Dewalt. The evening showcased the remarkable talents and dedication of student-athletes, both on the field and in academics, fostering community pride and anticipation for future events.

Newberry Celebrates Local Talent at Touchdown Club Banquet

Last night in Newberry, the Newberry County Touchdown Club rolled out the red carpet for its annual banquet at Central United Methodist Church. The event was a delightful gathering that recognized the outstanding accomplishments of both high school and college student-athletes from the area.

The highlight of the evening was a talk by the guest speaker, Joe Walker from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. With an impressive background as an educator and coach spanning 41 years in South Carolina, Walker shared invaluable insights on the importance of making wise decisions. His message resonated deeply, shedding light on how even a single poor choice can dramatically alter the courses of young lives.

Celebrating the Stars of the Field

The Newberry County Touchdown Club took the opportunity to present several coveted awards to local athletes, showcasing the rich talent pool in the community. Notably, Jemarian Dewalt from Mid-Carolina High School was honored with the prestigious 2024 Donnie Shell Award, which recognizes the Player of the Year in Newberry County. The pride was palpable as families and friends cheered for all the honorees in attendance.

Spotlight on the All-County Team

The evening was also marked by the recognition of the Newberry County Touchdown Club All-County Team. This elite group included:

• Jaxson Moody, Mid-Carolina HS
• Ryker Woolstenhulme, Mid-Carolina HS
• Javon Conway, Newberry Academy
• Thomas McLean, Newberry Academy
• Jody Ray Miles, Newberry Academy
• Jared Acosta, Newberry HS
• Kenton Caldwell, Newberry HS
• Isaiah Glymph, Newberry HS
• Brady Chapman, Newberry HS
• Sam Moore, Whitmire
• Kayshaun Schumpert, Whitmire
• Blake Stribble, Whitmire

These young athletes have not only excelled on the field, but they’ve also illustrated incredible dedication and hard work throughout the season.

Honoring College Players

As the evening progressed, accolades continued to pour in, this time for the athletes at Newberry College. The awards recognized outstanding performances, with Cooper Trnavsky earning the title of Offensive Player of the Year, while Colby Taylor was named Defensive Player of the Year. Bryce Earley rounded out the collegiate honors by being recognized as the Special Teams Player of the Year.

Academic Excellence Recognized

All-Academic Team recognition. This group included:

• Liam Blair, Mid-Carolina HS
• Harrison Hardage, Mid-Carolina HS
• Quinn Waites, Newberry Academy
• Caleb Wilbanks, Newberry Academy
• Bryce Satterwhite, Newberry HS
• Will Satterwhite, Newberry HS
• Kayshaun Schumpert, Whitmire
• Blake Stribble, Whitmire

Recognizing the balance of athletics and academics, these students embody the spirit of what it means to be a scholar-athlete.

Newberry Observer Awards

The night wouldn’t be complete without the presentation of the Newberry Observer 2024 Awards. Winners included:

• Kenton Caldwell: MVP/Player of the Year, Newberry HS
• Jemarian Dewalt: Defensive Player of the Year, Mid-Carolina HS
• BJ Jones: Offensive Player of the Year, Newberry HS
• AD Basnight: Offensive Player of the Year, Newberry HS
• CJ Earl: Returner of the Year, Newberry HS
• Daniel Teran: Special Teams Player of the Year, Newberry HS
• Sam Moore: Newcomer of the Year, Whitmire
• Cash Brown: Newcomer of the Year, Newberry HS
• Ryker Woolstenhulme: Newcomer of the Year, Mid-Carolina HS
• Thomas McLean: Iron Man of the Year, Newberry Academy
• Bryce Satterwhite: Iron Man of the Year, Newberry HS

A special shoutout goes to Wilson Tractor, which stepped up as sponsors for the Newberry Observer awards for the second consecutive year, contributing to the success of this joyous event.

A Bright Future Ahead

The gathering concluded with a sense of community and pride, as the Newberry County Touchdown Club celebrated its record number of sponsors this year. There’s a growing excitement for what 2025 will hold, as the club anticipates even more growth and opportunities to honor the hardworking student-athletes in Newberry County.

With such impressive accomplishments being recognized, it’s clear that Newberry’s future is in good hands, fueled by the passion, determination, and talent of its young athletes.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Newberry High School Football Team Celebrates Achievements

Additional Resources

• Newberry Observer: Touchdown Club Hosts 2024 Football Awards Banquet
• Newberry Observer: Newberry County Touchdown Club Hosts First Meeting in 2024
• GoLaurens: Cook Named Laurens County Touchdown Club Player of the Week
• The State: High School Sports Coverage
• Wikipedia: American Football