By 94.9 Game 2’s Greg Pogue
FRANKLIN – Eleven of the best high school offensive and defensive linemen from the Midstate were honored Saturday morning at the third annual Puckett’s Lineman of the Week Breakfast Banquet held at Puckett’s Boathouse in Franklin.
The breakfast banquet is conducted by the Prep Football Talk presented Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant radio show that airs each Saturday morning from 8-9 on 102.5 FM The Game ESPN Radio Nashville from mid-August through November. The show is hosted by Greg Pogue, Craig Ladd and coach Bubba Spears.
“We love this show that focuses on local high schools and players throughout the region,” said Bud Walters, president and owner of Cromwell Radio Group that operates 102.5 The Game as well as 94.9 Game 2. “Linemen don’t often get the recognition they deserve, and our awards breakfast helps to honor them. Hopefully, they’ll remember it the rest of their lives.”
The 11 honorees included Markeith Summers, Springfield, Week 0; Damian Starks, McGavock, Week 1; Wesley Rugen, Clarksville Academy, Week 2; Justin Ignacio, Hunters Lane, Week 3; Alex Givens, Nashville Christian, Week 4; Seth Black, Riverdale, Week, 5; Parker Howell, Christ Presbyterian Academy, Week 6; Jackson Pittman, Brentwood Academy; Week 7; Jack Jones, Oakland, Week 8; Jim Irwin, Rossview, Week 9; and Harm Abbott, Battle Ground Academy, Week 10.
During each week of the 11-week regular season, Prep Football Talk requested nominations from coaches to be named Lineman of the Week. Each week’s winner was interviewed on the show along with their coach and was presented with a commemorative plaque at the banquet that had around 75 student-athletes, coaches, family members, friends and show supporters in attendance.
Former Vanderbilt star quarterback and longtime successful Midstate high school football coach and athletics administrator Kurt Page was the featured speaker. A co-founder and former host of Prep Football Talk, Page is currently head football coach at Monsignor Donovan High School in Athens, Ga.
Along with Prep Football Talk being presented by Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant, the show is also sponsored by Hubcap Heaven & Wheels, Nashville Sporting Goods, Mason Mingus Racing and U.S. Army.
“The show has been a resounding success these past three football seasons,” said Pogue, who hosts The Greg Pogue & Big Joe Show each weekday morning from 6-9 on 94.9 Game 2. “High school football is as popular now as it has ever been. We certainly appreciate the support of our sponsors, who understand getting recognition for these student-athletes, their football programs and their schools is very important.”
-Greg Pogue
