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The very first Trimble High School team to have the opportunity to compete for the Tri Valley Conference Championship was the 1978 team. As many of you know, that 1978 team was not only the first Trimble team to compete for the championship they also were the first Trimble team to win the Tri Valley Conference Championship. That championship team of 1978 had many good football players, but those of you who had the opportunity to see that team play will probably agree that number 45 was really something special. He was the tailback of on the 1978 team and if you could get him a block, and give him a step the chances were good that he was going all the way. He brought the crowd to its feet many times here in Glouster Stadium and throughout Southeastern Ohio. He gained 1,710 yards during the 1978 season and still holds the Trimble High School career rushing record with a total of 3,380 yards gained. At the end of the 1978 season he was named to the first team of the All-Tri Valley Conference squad, and he was selected as the Most Valuable Player in the Tri Valley Conference. He was named to the first team of the Athens Messenger All-Stars, and was chosen as the Most Valuable Offensive Player of the Athens Messenger All-Stars. He was named to the first team of the All Southeast District Squad, and was chosen “Back of the Year” for the Southeast District. He was named to the All-Ohio team by both the Associated Press and the United Press International. Carl Fouts and L.R. Faires of the 1978 Tri Valley Conference Championship squad are here this evening to represent their teammates in presenting this award.
On behalf of the Trimble Alumni Football Players Association, we are pleased to honor Jeff McClelland as the first winner of the Tomcat Excellence Award. As most of you know, Jeff passed away earlier this year. At this time I would like to ask L.R. and Carl to present the Tomcat Excellence Award in his memory to his parents Judy and Roger. We would like to express out appreciation to Jeff McClelland, his parents Judy and Roger, the 1978 team, and all our alumni football players who are here this evening. |
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