Following a vote among his peers in the West Kentucky Conference, Trigg County’s Chris Ezell was tabbed “Coach of the Year” during Wednesday’s All-WKC celebration at Marshall County High School in Draffenville.
The second-year skipper opened the 2022 campaign with six-straight victories before finishing with a 7-4 record — an injury to All-WKC First Team quarterback Jacob Wease changing the complexion in those final days.
Still, the Wildcats got a number of standout performances from guys like lineman Matt Alex Ladd, running back Kelsey Parham, wide receiver and All-WKC first-teamer Jhaden Vaughn, defensive end and All-WKC first-teamer TayShaun Linton — a gal in kicker Olivia Noffsinger — and so many others.
Ezell noted he’d never have the opportunity for this award without the assistance of his players and staff. And he called it a “team honor.”
Furthermore, this happened to be a season in which a great number of WKC coaches deserved a vote.
Mayfield’s Joe Morris scripted a perfect regular season, led the Cardinals to the Class 2A championships against Beechwood and held together a community stricken by disaster.
Union County’s Derek Johns once again owned Class 3A, District 1 — surpassing last year’s stellar run with another perfect regular finish.
Paducah Tilghman’s Sean Thompson had the Blue Tornado fighting again following a brutal regular-season slate, and Hopkinsville’s Marc Clark had the Tigers surging at the right time.
In the end, Ezell earned it against a terrific field of candidates.
Gaige Courtney and his Crittenden County football team, meanwhile, were honored with the J.O. Lewis “Sportsmanship Award,” chosen by coaches to honor a squad with the best manner.
Ezell’s full interview, including possible realignment:
