By Tabitha Evans Moore | EDITOR & PUBLISHER
Ballots recently went out to Tennessee high school football coaches and members of the media for the 2023 Mr. Football nominations. And though we’ve confirmed with Raider Head Coach Kris White that no local player is yet an official nominee, most Raider fans are wondering if Moore County High School senior quarterback Dawson White will be among the semifinalist for the award.
The TSSAA awards Mr. Football annually to one player in each high school football classification as well as one overall Kicker of Year Award. Area coaches and media consider regular season stats for the award. Post season stats are not considered.
In 2020, officials nominated two Moore County players including Dawson’s brother Kaden White and Kyler Parker. The two Raiders were joined by fellow Region 5 candidate Kolby Stewart of Huntland. Two South Pittsburg players, Hunter Frame and Jared Stone, were also named semifinalists.
Main Street Preps reporter Russell Vannozzi also mentioned White as a frontrunner for the 2022 award in a round up of 15 Nashville-area players on the Mr. Football radar at mid-season last year.
In total, four Moore County Raiders have won the award including Todd Logan (1998), Jeff Norman (1992), Wayne Finchum (1994), and Brandon Wells (2000).
White and his brothers in Columbia blue are currently experiencing a break out senior season with a perfect 8-0 record and the Region 5A crown. According to a October 4 Tennessean article, White is a frontrunner alongside Dresden’s Cameron Schlichht and Luke Treece of Coalfield. Several area coaches we spoke to also mentioned McKenzie’s Tate Surber, and MASE’s Kumaro Brown.
Over 8,000 total career yards
White’s stats are impressive. According to the most recent Max Preps stats through Week 9, White is 96 of 131 (73 percent) in passing and averages 12.9 per per gain. He’s thrown 12 passing touchdowns. On the ground, the option QB mounted 87 carries for 1,118 total yards and 17 TDs. He currently boast 1,118 yards rushing and and another 1212 through the air. He averages 12.9 yards per reception and 12.9 per carry. When you combine his passing yards and rushing yards, White average 291.3 total yards per game.
As most players on smaller Class 1A teams do, White plays both ways. On defense, White’s managed 47 total tackles including 36 solo tackles and 11 assists. Ironically, the QB’s snagged two interception on the year.
As a punt returner, he’s managed 74 total yards and 37 yards per punt. He also returned four kickoff returns for a total on 110 yards.
The senior’s career stats are equally impressive. He’s 239 of 349 for a total of 3,101 passing. And remember, White didn’t move to QB until his junior year. He also boasts 367 carries for a total of 3,065 career yards. He’s scored 103 touchdown for Moore County.
Jackson Cassidy of McKenzie won the award last season. McKenzie also won the Class 1A state championship with 34-14 win over Clay County last year.
The list of semi-finalists will be announced soon and then a list of just three finalist will be announced in November. The TSSAA Tennessee Titans Mr. Football winner will be announced in December at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. Nominees are selected by a committee of statewide sports writers. •
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