Henderson to receive National Award

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Henderson earns Red Zone honor

By Van Hilburn
The Paris News

Published January 30, 2004

Paris running back Jessie Henderson was named a national Old Spice Red Zone Player of the Year, according to a release by Red Zone today.

The Old Spice Red Zone High School Football Player of the Year program recognizes football players who elevate their play and that of their teammates in the Red Zone. He’s the player the coach looks to when the game is on the line.

Henderson was that player for the Wildcats, especially over the last two seasons.

Henderson has already verbably committed to Southern Methodist University and plans to sign with the school during National Signing Day on Wednesday.

The 5-8, 165-pound speedy running back was virtually uncatchable in the open field. He averaged 7.07 yards per carry throughout his four-year high school carry, finishing with 3,820 yards on 540 carries and 39 touchdowns rushing.

Last year for Paris, he rushed for 1,187 yards on 209 carries and scored 15 touchdowns, despite missing most of the last two games with injuries. His most productive season came in 2002 when he rushed for 1,396 yards on 174 carries and scored 15 touchdowns.

Henderson is one of 50 Red Zone Players of the Year. He will be honored ini a full page announcement in USA Today on Thursday, Feb. 5, and he will receive a Red Zone Player of the Year awards package.

High school coaches from across the country nominated one player from their teams as their Player of the Year. Each nominee received a certificate and was eligible for the National Old Spice Red Zone Player of the Year award.

The Red Zone Player of the Year program is sponsored by Procter & Gamble, the makers of Old Spice Red Zone deodorant. The program is created and managed by 360 Youth, LLC, an Alloy company.

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[Hal]

That's a tremendous honor and accomplishment -- congratulations, Jessie! (And not just because there will be a picture off him in the USAToday with a line that says "SMU" by it .... although that's nice, too.)

[Lefty]

Usually, when you think of an RB who's really effective in the red zone, you think of guys who look like .... I don't know .... Jerome Bettis -- big, ugly guys who can lower their shoulders and get those powerful legs churning and simply blast through the line to reach the end zone. For Jessie to win this award at his size is truly remarkable. I know he relies largely on that speed of his, but this is still really impressive. Way to go, Jessie.

[Buddha]

What say we throw Jessie back there with Blake Warren to return kicks, and watch opposing coaches suffer some sort of anxiety attack?
Congratulations on the award!

[SMUguy]

I know I wouldn't want to cover punts with those two back there. We saw what Warren can do this year, and I gather Henderson is even faster.

[aj862004]

Congratulations Jessie! He deserves this award! I am very proud of you! I'm look forward to seeing you at SMU. Keep up the good work!

[Sasser Rules]

Henderson's list of accolades is a mile long, and this is a great addition to the list. Way to cap off a great HS career!