5 Quarterbacks, Taylor Make Up Football Progressive MVP Winners

Marilyn Mullinix, Progressive Savings Bank Community President, presents the Progressive Most Valuable Player award winners for the fall sports season.

Not pictured are Donoven McCallister of Upperman and Will McDonald of Livingston Academy.

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With fall sports firmly in the rear-view mirror, there were many stand-out players throughout the Upper Cumberland.

The following players have been named the Progressive MVP for their schools’ fall sports season.

Upperman’s Donoven McCallister led the Bees to a 10-2 season that including a dominant 45-0 win over Signal Mountain in the State Playoffs. McCallister’s standout performance came all the way back in week one, when he led the Bees to a 21-20 win over rival Cookeville. The senior was a force on both sides of the ball in that game, as he opened the scoring with a 43-yard interception-return touchdown. Trailing 20-14 in the fourth, McCallister scored the game-winning touchdown to start the season off with a bang. He was later named a finalist for the 3A Mr. Football Award.

Livingston Academy’s Will McDonald led his team to a perfect regular season, that culminated with a 27-8 win over Maplewood in the State Playoffs. McDonald took over the all-time passing touchdowns mark at LA with his lone score in a 10-7 win at Upperman. He also led a 99-yard, game-winning drive against Cookeville in week two, and was a finalist for the 4A Mr.Football Award.

Monterey’s Jordan Key also pushed his team to a perfect regular season. He played a key role on both sides of the ball, and had his standout performance against Jackson County in week 6 when he put up five total touchdowns. Key was also named to the All-State team as a defensive back, as Monterey only gave up an average of 9.9 points per game.

Clay County’s Jake Ashlock helped produce one of the best seasons in school history. He led the Bulldogs to a 7-3 record, and they hosted a playoff game against Sale Creek. The Bulldogs dominated that game, winning by a final score of 28-2. Ashlock put up three total touchdowns in a win over Pickett County in week seven, and he had two rushing touchdowns against Gordonsville in week five.

Warren County’s C.J. Taylor led the Pioneers to a 4-6 record in 2019, and had them firmly in the State Playoff race until the end of the season. Taylor’s standout performance came in week one, when he and the Pioneer defense forced DeKalb County into nine turnovers that led to a 35-21 victory. He also had a 36-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter that helped seal the victory for the Pioneers. He was also named the Athlete of the Year for the region, an area that included Oakland, Blackman, Siegel, Cookeville and Rockvale.

Pickett County’s Luke Smith quarterbacked his team on offense, and also led the defense. Smith produced many games where he was a force on the ground and through the air. One such game was week 2 against Sunbright, when he threw for 147 passing yards and two touchdowns. He added 41 yards on the ground that game as well, giving him 188 yards for the night. Smith was the heart and soul of the offense, and he showed that throughout all ten of their games.