By Steve Williams
Garrett Brady was willing to make the move to center three years ago to help his team. Travis Mozingo, the head football coach at Christian Academy of Knoxville, has never forgotten that.
“The best example of Careacter that I can give you is putting others before yourself,” said Mozingo. “Garrett Brady did just that.”
According to the CAK coach, Brady switched positions three years ago to play center, became a 3-year starter and never missed a game.
“His coaches selected him as our 2021 Offensive MVP – a first in my 22 years of coaching that an offensive lineman received this honor.”
Mozingo recalled that story when The Focus asked local head coaches to point out examples of “good careacter” their Careacter Star Athletes showed last season.
Brady’s unselfish move didn’t just end up helping the team. He flourished at his new position. In addition to being chosen the offense’s MVP, the 5-7, 170-pounder also was selected the TSSAA Division II-AA East Region Lineman of the Year.
There’s more to this story, too. Brady has an unusual highlight play posted online on MaxPreps that shows him getting knocked on his fanny in a game against rival Grace Christian. Why would he go with a highlight play like that? Perhaps he just thought it was funny.
“Yes,” replied Coach Mozingo, “and he had a reputation for flopping. He would always tumble backward, lie on the ground and make everyone laugh, similar to a soccer player or NBA player flopping and it was quite comical.”
After watching Brady’s highlight clip online, this reporter felt it didn’t appear to be a flop and it looked like the GCA player actually knocked Brady over.
“I’m pretty sure it was a flop,” countered Mozingo, who had background knowledge to support his viewpoint. “Garrett also is the star performer in CAK’s Musical Theater – so he’s great at acting!”
Coach Mozingo said Garrett plans to go into the ministry and attend Samford University.
Three others from the list of 216 Careacter Star Athletes also received special praise from their head coach, including Halls junior linebacker Caden Earle.
Scott Cummings, who left Halls to take the Oak Ridge job when it came open after last season, said Earle is a “great” Careacter Star Athlete for the Red Devils.
“Caden is a current junior linebacker that was our emotional leader and voted a team captain,” said Cummings last week. “His work ethic in the weight room is tremendous. Through adversity Caden always stands strong and supports his teammates while also leading them in a positive way.”
Gibbs Coach Brad Turner showed senior running back and linebacker Tarice McKinney some love. “He is a great leader, great student and comes from a great family. He is everything you want in a football player, student and young man.
“Tarice is always willing to help others with school work and maintained a job during the season.”
Matt Lowe at Powell couldn’t overlook Carson Whitehead, an All-State defensive back on the Panthers’ Class 5A state championship team.
In addition to football last fall, Whitehead was honored as an Eagle Scout and chosen the “Great Smoky Mountain Scout of the Year,” proudly said Coach Lowe.
“His high willingness to help others and lead by example and attitude helps to make him someone who others naturally follow.”
Dave Moore, founder of the Careacter Star Athlete program, said: “I’m very proud of all our honorees this school year. We can learn a lot from our young people when they are doing the right things in life.”
Careacter Star Athletes in girls and boys basketball will be announced in the May 2 and May 9 issues of The Focus.
The announcement of the CSAs for sports in the 2021-22 school year was delayed due to “Covid still reeling,” said Moore. “We plan to get back on track next year and release the football honorees in January and the girls’ and boys’ basketball honorees soon after the state tournaments.”
In addition to Knox County, the Careacter Star program honors student-athletes in neighboring counties and other parts of East Tennessee.
2021 FOOTBALL SEASON
The award is based on Attitude, Careacter, Grades, Community Service and Performance as a person.
AUSTIN-EAST
Savannah Kendrick
Keenan Turner
Michael Gladney
Quinton Calhoun
Corey Brown
Dimere Ligon
Anthony McGee
Ty McNabb
TJ Martin
ChoQuies Duncan
BEARDEN
Keaton Overton
Elijah Bowman
Davis Taylor
Owen Johnson
Sam Tummins
Ozzy Partin
Timyathus Spikes
Isaac Taylor
Andrea Wynter
Knockia Wynter
CAK
Malachi Harrison
Garrett Brady
Austin Delp
Grant Sterchi
Thomas Simpson
Jacob Dunn
Dario Love
Lane Roberts
Weston Parker
Ethan Fulford
Caleb Hoke
Eli Etherton
CARTER
Chandler Wilson
Kaleb Harper
Brody Blankenship
Beaux Sharpe
Judd Taylor
Zayne Sharpe
Jackson Steel
Presean Brown
Isaiah Webb
Roman Webb
Nick Corum
CATHOLIC
Sam O’Leary
Javaree Roebuck
Keondre Jarmon
Braylon Harman
Javis Mynatt
Eli Jones
Trevor Duncan
Tommy Winton
RaaPhell Mayes
CENTRAL
Ryan Bolton
Cole Ballenger
Donovan Washington
James Dendrinos
Dylan Greer
Brandon Ridner
Samuel Long
Almani Rembert
Frank Johnson
Kolby Long
Nathan Hurley
Caleb Johnson
Quisean Jackson
FARRAGUT
John Duncan
Luke Johnson
Barrett Smith
Chance Vann
Jackson Fisher
Andrew Celeste
Aiden Enters
Daniel Williams
Brice Fontenot
Thomas Witthauer
Andrew Mee
Hayden Mann
Elijah Gibbs
FULTON
Kashawn Banks
Wousamy Bates
Jerrison Gibson
Cameron Stokes
Seth Vaughn
Marcellus Jackson
Keenan Vaughn
Hayden Daugherty
Daymien McDowell
Dexter Lewis
Dre Peebles
Will Sims
GIBBS
Cam Norman
Sabe Smith
Quez Sharp
Luke Tidwell
Brayden Clapp
Billy Pratt
Isaac Godfrey
Caleb Beach
Eli Hubbs
Tarice McKinney
GCA
Ben Francisco
Noah Bruhin
Jackson Eller
Bobby Lewis
Weston Edmondson
Braden Ray
Jake Boudreaux
Drew Irick
Jake Harper
HALLS
Josh Ludwig
Jake Marcantel
Simon Williams
Caden Cummings
Zack Plunk
Caden Stephens
Bradon Beal
Caden Earle
Karter Elliott
Ryan Kearney
Kameron Bates
HVA
Reggie Johnson
Daniel Kasulis
Eric Rodriquez
Ethan Blaylock
Josiah Zimmerman
Allan Hovey
Elijah Zimmerman
Carlos Parker
Tyler Mann
Roger Garner
KARNS
De’Sean Bishop
Tyson Taylor
Tim Robbins
Drew McMillan
Caleb Clifton
Zach Pugh
Walker Lockhart
Cassen Huffaker
Darius Huckleby
JJ Ramirez
POWELL
Jarvis Stockton
Jervis Brown
Brian Belcher
Carson Whitehead
Owen Peterson
Kaleb Sanders
Cannon Lusby
Jayden Collins
Daniel Stanford
Walter Nolen
Camron Gann
Anthony Preece
Jason Foust
Gianni Magdos
Jordyn Potts
SEYMOUR
Eli Funck
Brooks Crowder
Braylon Oliver
Bennett Cain
Colten Oldham
Ronald Swauncy
Coye Connell
Cameron Bozzone
Stan Pennington, Jr.
Kaden Fowlkes
Austyn Fraser
SOUTH-DOYLE
Curtis Young
Hunter Simpson
Jamichael Ham
Ty’Quan Stewart
Dalyn Swaggerty
Nick Martin
Cameron Monday
Shawn Gary
Levi Herald
Brandon Smith
Grant Bush
TSD
Elijah Echols
Cassady Mead
Garrett Burns
Gage Conger
Jordan Grimes
TKA
Na’Kelin McAfee
Malik Sholanke
Isaque Pinerho
Joao Nascimento
Riley Webber
Zeke Connatser
Nick Donato
Tanner Norris
Connor Wallis
Alex Critselous
WEBB
Knox Foss
Bradee McCoy
Garrett Webb
Phillip Lund
Ben Pensky
Otto Niendorff
Dominic Vance
Garrett Carnathan
Ford Wagner
Leo Bonifacio
WEST
Cooper Shymlock
Shannon Blair
Mason Adams
Brayden Latham
Cayden Latham
Aiden Vaughn
Kwan Nelson
Ja’Qurrius Wrenn
Stokes John
Quandarius Hayes
Thad Sterling
Syxx Hoard
Jameiyes Mills
Ryan Scott
