The Iowa Football Coaches Association makes a point of awarding various all-state accolades for a student-athlete's accomplishments on and off the field.
On Wednesday night, Marshalltown High School senior Kyle Carnahan was given the IFCA's highest distinction.
Carnahan was presented with the Ed Thomas Faith, Family and Football Award for Class 4A at the onset of the MHS Awards Ceremony at the MHS/Community Auditorium.
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T-R PHOTO BY ROSS THEDE
The Iowa Football Coaches Association presented Marshalltown High School senior Kyle Carnahan, center, with the Ed Thomas Faith, Family and Football Award for Class 4A on Wednesday night at the MHS/Community Auditorium. Shown with Carnahan is MHS head football coach Dave Holdiman, right, and IFCA president Brian Wilken.
The award is named for the legendary Aplington-Parkersburg High School football coach who was shot and killed in June 2009. The IFCA and the Thomas family selected one Iowa high school football player from each of six classes, choosing "the best of the best amongst Iowa high school football players who demonstrate the three characters of faith, family and football," noted IFCA president Brian Wilken, who presented the award. "Coach Thomas and his program at Aplington-Parkersburg were nationally noted for these three characteristics.
"There is no higher award given to a football player by the Iowa Football Coaches Association."
Carnahan was a three-year starter on the Bobcat football team at safety, earning all-state, all-conference and all-area honors throughout his career. He was the recipient of the Nick Norris Award, given annually to an MHS football player based on leadership, contributions to the team, sportsmanship, and personal sacrifice for the good of the squad.
"It's a real honor to be selected by (Ed Thomas') family for all the things he stood for in faith, family and football," said Carnahan. "To be chosen as one out of so many outstanding kids in the state of Iowa is amazing."
And according to his head coach - deserving.
"Ed Thomas was the epitome of what coaching is all about," said MHS head football coach Dave Holdiman. "As far as the Coaches Association is concerned, we feel this is the top honor in the state.
"It's given to the best of the best in the state, and Kyle is certainly that. He excels in every phase of his life. He's a great athlete, he's a great scholar, he's a great community volunteer and he's involved in his church.
"He's the epitome of what high school athletics should produce, and all his coaches would give the same response."
Carnahan received a certificate during the awards presentation, and he will be given a plaque from the IFCA at the Iowa Shrine All-Star Football Classic on July 21 at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames.