The historic season for Grayson County High School football is adding more hardware as they have swept the awards for Class 5A District 4.
Freshman running back Kadin Hanshaw was named district player of the year and head coach Bryan Jones was tabbed as the district coach of the year. The awards are voted on by the head coaches in Grayson County’s district.
Hanshaw has turned in one of the best seasons for a running back in program history. In 10 games, he has rushed for 1,234 yards and 20 touchdowns while also pulling in eight catches.
Defensively, he has accounted for 47 total tackles and a pair of interceptions; one of which he returned over 60 yards against Bullitt Central.
“It means a lot. It’s pretty exciting,” the freshman phenom said. “I didn’t really think it would happen.”
Like any good member of the backfield, Hanshaw was not shy about sharing the accolades with his offensive line.
“They mean a lot,” he added. “Up front, they help a lot. I wouldn’t be here without my lineman so I give all the credit and all the thanks to them up front.”
Hanshaw became the first freshman to cross the thousand-yard mark in a single season in program history and the 12th player all-time.
“For a freshman to win player of the year is special at any level but in 5A football, I’d say it’s pretty uncommon,” head coach Bryan Jones said. “But that’s Kadin, he is uncommon in every sense of the word. He is an uncommon athlete and young man. He is special. He is generational. But what may be one of his best attributes, with all the recognition he receives, he’s coachable and a great teammate!”
Jones is in his fourth season at the helm of the program with a 22-18 record including an impressive 9-1 mark this year.
“It is a huge honor to win District 4 Coach of the Year,” he told K105. “But you know I don’t win this thing without the team we have. To me, it’s a reflection of them and the work, and dedication they have put forth. It is a reflection of them buying into the things that we have put in place and the culture we are trying to build here. I owe any and all honors to these young men.”
Hanshaw specifically gave Jones credit and mentioned how he is thrilled to play for him.
“(Jones being named coach of the year) makes me happy honestly,” Hanshaw said. “I told him at the beginning of the year, me and dad (James), had a talk with him and I was like ‘I will never play for another coach except for him,’ so that makes me really happy that he got that.”
This season, which is the 50th for Grayson County football, has already been historical. The team has put together a nine-win regular season for only the fifth time in program history, they won their first district championship since 2014, and are in the midst of their longest win streak in program history.
The Cougars will host their first playoff game in nine years on Friday night as they welcome the Iroquois Raiders to Cougar Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6:30pm.
By Sam Gormley, Play-By-Play Announcer/Local Sports
Reach Sam at sam@k105.com
