KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Tonganoxie senior linebacker Branden Martin won the 2020 Bobby Bell Award, which is given annually to the top high school football lineman or linebacker in the Kansas City area.
Martin was the top tackler in the state of Kansas this season. He finished with a total of 157 tackles, including 76 solo tackles and 18 tackles for loss. He also had four sacks, forced two fumbles and recovered three fumbles.
The Chieftains played 11 games this season and reached the Class 4A Sectional game where they lost to Bishop-Miege 30-7.
Martin was selected to All-Frontier League first team.
This award is named after Pro Football Hall of Famer Bobby Bell. Bell spent his 12-year career with the Kansas City Chiefs as a defensive end. During that time, he intercepted 26 passes and returned 6 touchdowns.
Bell was the first Chiefs player to be inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to alter our daily lives, 41 Action News has partnered with the Thomas A. Simone Awards this year to honor the top high school football players in the Kansas City area, a tradition that began in 1983.
