Ladd, Simmons Lead S-C Football Awards

Seniors Connor Ladd and Lane Simmons received multiple honors during the Smith-Cotton High football program’s awards night presentation.

Ladd received the William “Bill” Noland Football Scholarship, which his brother, Dom, also won in 2017.

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Ladd also received the Caleb Stathem Memorial Scholarship, awarded by the family of a former S-C player who died from injuries in a car wreck; the Ralph “Stub” Dow Award as the team’s top defensive back; and was named the Outstanding Special Forces Player.

Simmons was the team’s Outstanding Offensive Player and recipient of the BETTER award. Both Ladd and Simmons were recognized as team captains.

Five Tigers – Mylan Hawkins, Cody Smith, Karson Evans, Isaiah Acosta and Braxton Poort – earned Academic All-State recognition.

The award winners:

William “Bill” Noland Football Scholarship: Connor Ladd

Charles Van Dyne Memorial Award: Kwan Watkins, defense; and Ryan Marshall, offense

Ralph “Stub” Dow Award: Connor Ladd, defense; and Mylan Hawkins, offense
Caleb Stathem Memorial Scholarship: Connor Ladd

BETTER Award: Lane Simmons

Mark Johnson Academic Achievement Scholarship: Cody Smith
Outstanding Special Forces Player: Connor Ladd

Outstanding Offensive Player: Lane Simmons

Outstanding Defensive Player: Brady Anderson
Academic All-State: Mylan Hawkins, Cody Smith, Karson Evans, Isaiah Acosta, Braxton Poort

Outstanding 9th Grade Player: Dax Wiskur

Outstanding JV Player: Kyren Staten

KMZU Dream Team: Lane Simmons, offense; Connor Ladd, defense

Central Missouri Activities All-Conference: First Team, Brady Anderson Defensive Back; Lane Simmons Athlete. Second Team, Connor Ladd, returner; Kwan Watkins, defensive line; Mylan Hawkins, running back; Ryan Marshall, offensive line

All-District, First Team: Mylan Hawkins, running back; Brady Anderson, defensive back; Connor Ladd, returner

All-District, Second Team: Lane Simmons, quarterback; and Kwan Watkins, defensive line

Media All District: First Team, Kwan Watkins, defensive line; Brady Anderson, defensive back. Second Team, Mylan Hawkins running back; Ryan Marshall, offensive line.

In the  photos:
LADD: Smith-Cotton senior Connor Ladd (7) returns a kickoff against Jefferson City during the first half of the teams' Central Missouri Activities Conference matchup Sept. 16 in Jeff City. Ladd, who also played defensive back and wide receiver, received the William "Bill" Noland Football Scholarship.

SIMMONS: Smith-Cotton quarterback Lane Simmons (3) tries to elude a tackle attempt by Battle's Chris Brown in the first quarter of the teams' CMAC game Sept. 30 at Battle High in Columbia. Simmons was named the Tigers' Outstanding Offensive Player for the 2022 season.