By Craig Brown

The 2013 Dillon Wildcats High School Football AA State Championship Team was honored Monday night at the South of the Border Convention Center with Championship rings presented to 63 football players and lockets presented to all cheerleaders.

Superintendent Ray Rogers has always opened these ceremonies, welcoming the guest and thanking those that sponsored the event, but sadly this year Mr. Rogers was out sick and I for one wish him a speedy recovery.

Wildcat Head Coach Jackie Hayes took Mr. Rogers’s place and gladly welcomed all guests in attendance and asked all to be in prayer for Mr. Rogers. Coach Hayes thanked the Dillon City Council, the Dillon County Council, and Richard and Ryan Schafer, representing the Schafer Foundation, for sponsoring the ceremony. Coach Hayes ask Coach Gerald Reaves to pray and give thanks for the meal.

A video presentation of the highlights of the 2013 season was shown following the meal. The video was designed by assistant coach Jamie Norris.

After the video, Wildcat Athletic Director/Head Football Coach, Jackie Hayes returned to the podium to offer thanks to several individuals and groups that helped to make the 2013 football season a success.

Coach Hayes recognized two long time Dillon Wildcat Coaches, Gerald Reaves and Jason Gunter. It would be hard to imagine the side line absent of these two outstanding men. The old Coach, Marion “Bull” Lee once told me you are not ready to retire until your starting quarterback answers your correcting shouts with “that’s not the way you told my great grandfather how to do it.” These two coaches look in shape to last another forty years and I hope I get to write about them.

Although I do not know all of the side line staff as well as I know coaches Reaves and Gunter, I have been well treated by all. Assistant Athletic Director, Robbie Brown is a true gentleman and makes you feel at home. Alan McLaurin will answer questions to satisfy the press needs. I stay out of head coach Jackie Hayes and Defensive Coach Marty McIntyre’s way during the game as they are very focused on their players. Martha “Mott” German, Ronald German, and Maurice Bethea have been very helpful to me and new assistant coach Zack Hayes is a real “go to” man when you need a question answered or a request granted.

Coach Hayes began the awards by presenting the team managers with trophies. The Wildcat tunnel was brought to the convention center for the athletes and cheerleaders to walk through to receive their awards.

After the cheerleaders received their gold chained lockets, Coach Jackie Hayes called his wife Mandy to the podium. Coach Hayes praised Mandy for all of her support and without her by his side he did not believe he would be as successful. Coach Hayes snapped a special locket around Mandy’s neck to show his admiration for his wife and her support.

62 young men and one young lady now stood in the tunnel waiting for their treasure. One by one they were called to the podium and Coach Hayes had a story to tell about each and every one of them.

After the players, Coach Hayes presented Rings to Principal Dr. Shawn Johnson and all of his assistant coaches with special remarks about each coach.

Coach Hayes closed by remarking that the Wildcats had the number one defense in the state of South Carolina and could have ranked as high on offense if they had not chosen to hold down the score in the second half of the games during the season.

Coach Jason Gunter closed the ceremony with prayer.

All guests left with hopes of returning again next year to see their young stars receive another ring.

Photos by Craig Brown. Click the images below to view at full size!