Simone Awards spotlight shines on Northland players

A week after hoisting the Missouri Class 4 state championship football trophy with his teammates, Kearney High School senior Cale Garrett lifted one alone.

As part of the 33rd annual Thomas A. Simone Memorial Awards ceremony, Garrett was honored last week as the winner of the Bobby Bell Award, given to the best small-class lineman or linebacker in the Kansas City area. The small class consists of Missouri Classes 1, 2, 3 and 4, as well as Kansas Classes 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A.

Garrett, who will attend Navy, was also named the Missouri Class 4 defensive player of the year by the state’s coaches association. He was credited with 160 total tackles, including 21 for loss, for the Bulldogs, who defeated Webb City last month to win the state championship.

Fort Osage quarterback Skylar Thompson won the top honor, the Simone Award, reserved for the best player in Kansas City.

The ceremony also included another pair of finalists from the Northland.

Kearney quarterback Logan Hinck was one of four finalists for the Frank Fontana Award, which honors the top small-class player, offense or defense. The award went to Odessa senior Kobe Hardin.

Park Hill junior Chester Graves was a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, presented to the best big-class lineman or linebacker. Lawrence senior Amani Bledsoe received the honor.

Longtime coach Fred Bouchard was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award during the ceremony. Bouchard retired from Staley after a 30-year coaching career that included five Missouri state championships — one at Staley and four during his six-year stint at Harrisonville High School. Bouchard accepted a position in the North Kansas City School District.

The Simone Awards winners were selected by members of the Greater Kansas City Football Coaches Association and a 12-person media committee.

This story was originally published December 17, 2015 at 5:52 PM with the headline "Simone Awards spotlight shines on Northland players."