Douglas County High School quarterback Sire Hardaway was recently named the winner of the Howard Thompson Award as the county’s top senior football player.
Tigers Coach Johnny White presented Hardaway with the award during a ceremony at the school on December 13.
Hardaway led Douglas County to its first region title since 2002 and a Class 6A state semifinal appearance this year. He finished the 2023 season with 175 pass completions for 2,933 yards and 23 touchdowns. He rushed for another 404 yards and four TDs.
For his career, Hardaway threw for 6,429 yards and 48 touchdowns.
Tigers Quarterbacks Coach Corky Gordon said Hardaway is the best quarterback he’s ever coached.
"This is just as special to me as it is to him," Gordon said. "We’ve been together for the past three years. He’s been so mature from the first time that I met him as a sophomore until now. He’s grown leaps and bounds. When I first came in he was actually the one who taught me the offense. So he’s that intelligent and that smart and that in tune with what everyone does around him. He’s a joy to be around."
The Howard Thompson Award is named in honor of the man who brought football to the county in 1924. The county’s football coaches, athletics director and selected media members vote on the award each year.