OLATHE, Kan. — The 37th Annual Thomas A. Simone Memorial Awards were held at Olathe North High School on Thursday, which means the Eagles Arland Bruce, IV, was the winner.
The junior runningback/quarterback ran for 2,487 yards and 43 touchdowns in 2019. He led the Eagles all the way to the 6A State Championship Game. Bruce's dad, Arland Bruce, III, won the Simone Award at Olathe North in 1995. Simone tradition calls for the winner to be surprised by a ceremony in his school's gym.
"People in the school were telling me there was an assembly tomorrow for the basketball team. But I got out of practice yesterday and saw them setting up a bunch of chairs in the gym," said Bruce, IV. "I started to realize what was going on there."
Bruce beat out fellow Simone Finalists quarterback Jake Van Dyne of Liberty North, wide receiver/runningback Luke Grimm of Raymore-Peculiar and runningback Tyron "Tank" Young of St. Thomas Aquinas.
Odessa quarterback Josey Meierarend won the 21st Annual Frank Fontana Award, given to the metro area's best small school player (Missouri Class 1-4, Kansas 1A-4A). Meierarend threw for 2,566 yards and 37 touchdowns en route to leading Odessa to a 15-0 record and a Missouri Class 3 state title.
Park Hill defensive lineman Johnny Wilson won the 28th Annual Junious "Buck" Buchanan Memorial Award, given to the best big school lineman/linebacker (Missouri Class 5-6, Kansas 5A-6A). Wilson racked up 97 tackles - 44 of them for loss - and 13 sacks on the season.
Platte County linebacker Garret Watson won the 20th Annual Bobby Bell Award, given to the best small school lineman/linebacker. Watson led all Bell candidates with 16 sacks.
Bishop Miege wide receiver Daniel Jackson won the 13th Annual Otis Taylor Award, given to the best tight end/wide receiver. Jackson set a Kansas state record with 27 receiving touchdowns in 2019.
Lincoln Prep head coach William Lowe won the Eric Driskell Coach of the Year Award. Lowe led the Blue Tigers to a school-record 11 wins.
Outgoing Rockhurst head coach Tony Severino was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
