By Thomas Sellers Jr.
COVINGTON – Sundays in the South are traditional days for a large gathering and ceremony.
Normally the topic and guests of honor are God and His son Jesus Christ. But the Sunday evening of April 10 was a chance for Munford Cougars Head Football Coach Slade Calhoun and those devoted to the program to gather in The Manor in Covington to celebrate the 2021 season, a championship and recognize a special young man leaving the program.
“Another great season at Munford, capped off by another Region championship,” Calhoun noted. “A guy like Auvic White who has received several different honors and accolades, awards and just on and on. Tonight we’re going to honor everybody but we’re really honoring the seniors. I think it was a great idea for him to go ahead and have his signing while all the guys are here probably one last time.”
Like a star studded event, the Munford Football players were sharply dressed and embraced the brotherhood one more time during the school year. White showed up with family and friends including his sister Jakaly and mother Victoria.
“I’m proud of him,” Victoria said. “I’m glad he’s not where he came from. It makes me feel good, like I’ve done something right. He’s a good role model.”
White came from humble beginnings and overcame the obstacles of life to become one of the best running backs in Tennessee. With several colleges vying for his talents and services at the college level, White was patient in making his decision.
“I picked Hendrix,” White said. “God was actually showing me another school at the time. I realized that sometimes God is going to tell you something in life but it doesn’t mean He’s going to activate it immediately. Just like I trusted and let Him guide me to the school he wants me to go to, I have to trust Him and let Him guide on this.”
Dozens of schools sent offers, multiple campuses were visited but it came down to White’s corps. three of God, academics and football that pushed the Warriors to the forefront.
Hendrix is led by Head Coach Buck Buchanan. Buchanan is the first football coach in school history starting the program in 2012 and has seven years at the post. He has a record of 41-30 at Hendrix.
White started to hit college radars as a sophomore wearing the No. 19. Sharing the backfield with a pair of upperclassmen, White made explosive runs to stay in the lineup.
Junior year brought a new jersey number. Sporting the No. 4, White was one of the top rushers in the state. Honored with the Jesse Savage No. 3 his senior year, White was the leader on and off the field for the Cougars helping Munford win the Region 8-5A title.
“I did a pretty great job of giving all the glory to God,” he said. “A lot of people know me and a lot of people look up to me because of my ability to play football. Just like I tell everybody, ‘Football is something I do. But a man of God is who I am.’”
Calhoun has one regret seeing White head to the next level, he wished he gave the ball to him more.
“Vic is tremendous and a tremendous competitor,” Calhoun said. “He’s a talented guy but probably more than that he’s hard-nosed. It doesn’t get too tough for him during the games. Almost every game before we go out I say, ‘Hey Vic go out there and set the tone. Let them know it’s us.’ He would punish some tacklers.”
The grind and extra fight for yards was Vic’s trademark on the field. Off the field, those close to him knew he loved to have fun and mix in some spirituality in the process.
“I would just like to say thank you,” White said. “knew I threw God at you a lot in a lot of the stuff I said. I am more concerned about what I leave in a person instead of what I leave to them. I always knew if I talked about God then that’s what they’ll remember me by and not my ability to play football.”
His ability to play football has made him a warrior for Christ and a Warrior on the next level.
“I knew that I had to put God first,” he said. “God is first in my priorities. He’s going to be first no matter what. I’m not saying I put spiritual life first in this decision. But I wanted to go wherever God wanted me to go. I didn’t care about the division level or I didn’t care about the playing time. I was like, ‘God just take me wherever you want me to go. That’s where I am going to go.”
Hendrix, one of the most expensive schools in the Natural State, is giving White a full scholarship. He will have a chance to play as a freshman and get a high-level education.
“Great kid and just makes every right decision,” Calhoun concluded. “Never in trouble. Just mature beyond his years and just a great kid to be around.”
White said he will continue to use that foundation to stay humble and stay hungry on the gridiron.
“As a Christian and as a man of God you know I am going to say wherever God wants me to be,” he concluded. “I can see myself and I know I want to go to the NFL. But football doesn’t go on forever. After football I would love to be a pastor.”
Pure Intentions: Overcoming adversity and finding solid ground helps Munford standout land big scholarship
By Thomas Sellers Jr.
COVINGTON – Sundays in the South are traditional days for a large gathering and ceremony.
Normally the topic and guests of honor are God and His son Jesus Christ. But the Sunday evening of April 10 was a chance for Munford Cougars Head Football Coach Slade Calhoun and those devoted to the program to gather in The Manor in Covington to celebrate the 2021 season, a championship and recognize a special young man leaving the program.
“Another great season at Munford, capped off by another Region championship,” Calhoun noted. “A guy like Auvic White who has received several different honors and accolades, awards and just on and on. Tonight we’re going to honor everybody but we’re really honoring the seniors. I think it was a great idea for him to go ahead and have his signing while all the guys are here probably one last time.”
Like a star studded event, the Munford Football players were sharply dressed and embraced the brotherhood one more time during the school year. White showed up with family and friends including his sister Jakaly and mother Victoria.
“I’m proud of him,” Victoria said. “I’m glad he’s not where he came from. It makes me feel good, like I’ve done something right. He’s a good role model.”
White came from humble beginnings and overcame the obstacles of life to become one of the best running backs in Tennessee. With several colleges vying for his talents and services at the college level, White was patient in making his decision.
“I picked Hendrix,” White said. “God was actually showing me another school at the time. I realized that sometimes God is going to tell you something in life but it doesn’t mean He’s going to activate it immediately. Just like I trusted and let Him guide me to the school he wants me to go to, I have to trust Him and let Him guide on this.”
Dozens of schools sent offers, multiple campuses were visited but it came down to White’s corps. three of God, academics and football that pushed the Warriors to the forefront.
Hendrix is led by Head Coach Buck Buchanan. Buchanan is the first football coach in school history starting the program in 2012 and has seven years at the post. He has a record of 41-30 at Hendrix.
White started to hit college radars as a sophomore wearing the No. 19. Sharing the backfield with a pair of upperclassmen, White made explosive runs to stay in the lineup.
Junior year brought a new jersey number. Sporting the No. 4, White was one of the top rushers in the state. Honored with the Jesse Savage No. 3 his senior year, White was the leader on and off the field for the Cougars helping Munford win the Region 8-5A title.
“I did a pretty great job of giving all the glory to God,” he said. “A lot of people know me and a lot of people look up to me because of my ability to play football. Just like I tell everybody, ‘Football is something I do. But a man of God is who I am.’”
Calhoun has one regret seeing White head to the next level, he wished he gave the ball to him more.
“Vic is tremendous and a tremendous competitor,” Calhoun said. “He’s a talented guy but probably more than that he’s hard-nosed. It doesn’t get too tough for him during the games. Almost every game before we go out I say, ‘Hey Vic go out there and set the tone. Let them know it’s us.’ He would punish some tacklers.”
The grind and extra fight for yards was Vic’s trademark on the field. Off the field, those close to him knew he loved to have fun and mix in some spirituality in the process.
“I would just like to say thank you,” White said. “knew I threw God at you a lot in a lot of the stuff I said. I am more concerned about what I leave in a person instead of what I leave to them. I always knew if I talked about God then that’s what they’ll remember me by and not my ability to play football.”
His ability to play football has made him a warrior for Christ and a Warrior on the next level.
“I knew that I had to put God first,” he said. “God is first in my priorities. He’s going to be first no matter what. I’m not saying I put spiritual life first in this decision. But I wanted to go wherever God wanted me to go. I didn’t care about the division level or I didn’t care about the playing time. I was like, ‘God just take me wherever you want me to go. That’s where I am going to go.”
Hendrix, one of the most expensive schools in the Natural State, is giving White a full scholarship. He will have a chance to play as a freshman and get a high-level education.
“Great kid and just makes every right decision,” Calhoun concluded. “Never in trouble. Just mature beyond his years and just a great kid to be around.”
White said he will continue to use that foundation to stay humble and stay hungry on the gridiron.
“As a Christian and as a man of God you know I am going to say wherever God wants me to be,” he concluded. “I can see myself and I know I want to go to the NFL. But football doesn’t go on forever. After football I would love to be a pastor.”
