BEAUMONT -- Tramain Thomas doubled his chances to win a Willie Ray Smith award this year.

  An offensive finalist for last year's 15th annual Willie Ray Smith award, the East Chambers senior was selected both an offensive and a defensive finalist for the 16th annual Smith award.

  Thomas' credentials are sturdy on both sides of the ball for the 16th annual award, which will be announced in February.

  The University of Arizona pledge produced 2,215 total yards for the Buccaneers last season, running for 1,352 yards and 30 touchdowns and passing for 863 yards and five touchdowns.

  Equally adept at safety, Thomas collected 106 tackles and 11 interceptions with 11 tackles for losses.

  The 16th annual award marked the first time that either a Mid-County or a South County athlete was not included as one of the finalists.

  Thomas was joined on the offensive side of the ball by Lumberton tailback Cody Hussey, West Orange-Stark tailback DePauldrick Garrett, Beaumont West Brook tailback Christine Michael and Kirbyville tailback Pierce Rhodes.

  Three standouts from different areas of the field joined Thomas as finalists for the Willie Ray Smith defensive player honor. They were Beaumont Kelly defensive line stalwart Kheeston Randall, West Orange-Stark linebacker Cory Bell and Beaumont West Brook safety David Falgout.

  Garrett has become the all-time leading WO-S rusher in school history. He gained 1,400 yards and guided WO-S through its 2007 playoff run which contained an upset of No. 1-ranked Giddings. Hussey guided Lumberton to its first playoff appearance ever in the school's history. The 22-4A offensive MVP, Hussey dashed for 1,783 yards on 254 carries with 19 touchdowns. The MVP from District 21-5A, West Brook's Michael carried 197 times for 1,171 yards and 24 touchdowns. Kirbyville's Rhodes earned 21-3A MVP honors, rushing for 1,922 yards and 22 touchdowns.

  WO-S linebacker Bell guided his young Mustangs' defense with a team-best 82 tackles. Kelly's Randall collected 42 solo tackles and 36 assists. West Brook's Falgout collected 119 tackles and broke up 12 passes while picking off three interceptions.

 



16TH ANNUAL WILLIE RAY SMITH AWARDS FINALISTS

OFFENSE

Tramain Thomas, East Chambers

DePauldrick Garrett, West Orange-Stark

Cody Hussey, Lumberton

Christine Michael, Beaumont West Brook

Pierce Rhodes, Kirbyville

DEFENSE

Tramain Thomas, East Chambers

Cory Bell, West Orange-Stark

David Falgout, Beaumont West Brook

Kheeston Randall, Beaumont Kelly