Friendship's Martin a finalist for Mr. Football Lineman

Winner to be named Nov. 26

By ANDY REED

Sports Editor

Friendship Christian senior right guard/middle linebacker Tanner Martin has been named as one of three finalists for the Class A Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Lineman award.

Martin joins Gordonsville's Tyler Coen and Boyd Buchanan's Malik Brewer as the other finalists for the award, whose recipient will be announced Nov. 26 at the Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center in Murfreesboro.

Coaches and media from across the state nominated the finalists, with a committee of statewide sports writers selecting the winners.

The 6-foot-0, 215-pound Martin has 43 total tackles, including three for loss, with two quarterback hurries, a pass interception and two fumbles caused on defense.

On offense, he has blocked for quarterback A.J. Long and running back Steven Hollis as Friendship has built a 9-1 record going into tonight's 7 p.m. home playoff game against Cascade at Pirtle Field.

"He's a steady offensive lineman for us," said Commander coach John McNeal, who could not nominate his own player but has seen Coen and Brewer in action. "He gets the job done."

After playing as a 225-pound nose guard during Friendship's state championship run last year, Martin dropped back to middle linebacker, a featured position in the Commander defense which produced 2004 Mr. Football finalist Michael Wheeler and '06 finalist Wade Mitchell. Quarterback Lee Sweeney, in '04, is FCS' other Mr. Football finalist, as a back.

"He lost a lot of weight and did a lot of things to get ready for that position," McNeal said. "He's always very consistent."

Sports Editor Andy Reed can be reached at 444-3952, ext. 17; or by email at andy.reed@lebanondemocrat.com