By Les Dixon / Sports Editor
Two of Kentucky’s most outstanding seniors received distinguished recognition as state winners of the 2009 Wendy’s High School Heisman Award.
Williamsburg High School quarterback Ryan Moses and Raegan Deaton of Green County High School embody the Heisman spirit of hard work, dedication and an exceptional record both on and off the field through their achievements in athletics, academics and community/school leadership.
Awarded in conjunction with the collegiate Heisman, the Wendy’s High School Heisman, celebrating its16th anniversary, has set the standard for high school student-athletes and gained tremendous prestige in its own right.
Deaton and Moses were chosen from over 50,000 applicants, surviving rounds that narrowed contenders to 10,000, and then to Kentucky’s respected group of state finalists.
Moses, who has made a 30 on his ACT, said he was ‘shocked’ and ‘surprised’ that he won the award.
“To be honest, I didn’t even know if the paper work would go through because we had to work some things out,” he said. “I didn’t expect to win, that’s for sure. I sent out my information about two days before the deadline and I was really lucky I got it in.”
But once the papers were in the mail, Williamsburg coach Jerry Herron thought his signal-caller had a good shot at winning the prestigious award.
“Ryan is a fine young man,” he said. “I thought that he had a great shot because he is an excellent student-athlete. This is big for Williamsburg High School. When you look at all of the people that could have won the award, it just goes to show how hard it is to win something like this.
“Ryan has had an excellent academic career here at Williamsburg and he’s also had an excellent sports career here as well,” he added. “He’s a very humble young man, and he’s very deserving. He never takes any of the credit. He always gives all of the credit to his teammates, parents, brother and teachers. He’s very deserving of this award and I am so glad he won it.”
So how shocked was Moses when he found out he had won Kentucky’s Heisman award?
He didn’t even know that he made the finalist list until one of his friends had told him.
“It’s not that I didn’t care — I just forgot about it because I was focusing on football,” he admitted. “I just didn’t think much about it at the time. It’s a great honor for me and Williamsburg High School.”
The competition continues for the 2009 state winners. Deaton and Moses will compete against winners from other states for a chance to be named one of 12 national finalists in Wendy’s annual quest to find the nation’s top scholar-athletes. These outstanding students will travel to New York City to participate in the Heisman weekend festivities and awards ceremony on Dec. 11.
“The Wendy’s High School Heisman is a prestigious award that showcases a commitment to higher achievement and making positive contributions both on and off the field,” said Archie Griffin, two-time collegiate Heisman Trophy winner. “We’re honored to recognize these exceptional students who are an inspiration to others in their schools and communities and to welcome them to the Heisman family.”
One male and one female will be named national winners and presented with a Wendy’s High School Heisman trophy during the national telecast of the college Heisman Memorial Trophy presentation on ESPN. In addition, Wendy’s will donate $10,000 to each winner’s respective high school to be used at the student’s discretion. All 12 national finalists also will be featured during the ceremony, and each will receive a gold medal and a $2,000 award for their high schools.
