Damion Moate receives his academic trident certificate from Tift head coach Noel Dean , one of three recognized in the February ceremony . Brock Harden and Tyler Parker were the other recipients . Players must have a GPA of 3.25 or higher to earn the award .
commitment . “ The kids who who show up are the majority ,” Dean pointed out . “ We ’ re very proud of them .”
( A full list of academic and commitment honorees is listed at the bottom of this story .)
Dean said their dedication was proof of players ’ leadership .
Those earning character tridents , he said , are “ the kind of kids who are going to help us be better .” Every player is expected to have at least 30 hours of community service . The football program itself is providing about 100 hours of service , said Dean .
One opportunity is approaching soon , a flag football league via the Tift County Recreation Department .
Players earning tridents will get to adorn their helmets with special stickers .
Also honored were those reaching strength milestones , for the 900- , 1,000- , 1,100 , and 1,200-pound clubs , as well as the Iron Squat Club , which honors those squatting twice their body weight . These players received special gear .
New to the Iron Squat club is Deontay Barthell , Ethan Hyde , Christian Mathis , Moate , Kaylon Nichols , Devon Parker , Reade , Jonta Strozier and Chris White .
Joining the 900-pound club are Kevin Burgess , Joseph Forehand , Mathis , Yael Morrow , Nichols , Westley Tawzer and Strozier .
Antavio Pierce receives special shorts and a shirt for achieving the Iron Squat and Iron Bench club at the first recognition of players in January 2022 . Iron Squatters must move more than twice their weight and Iron Benchers lift 1.5 times their weight .
MAY 2022 | TiftonScene 17