Tydre Ward’s hard work for the Plant City Raiders football team hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Ward, a senior, was given the football team’s highest honor at its Saturday, Jan. 28, banquet. He accepted the Russell Kemp “Keep Chopping” Perseverance Award, which was renamed this year in honor of the late Kemp.
“Tydre was the heart and soul of this team,” head coach Robert Paxia says. “When the team needed a big play, we could count on him.”
Ward finished his final season with 954 all-purpose yards: 341 rushing, 336 receiving and 277 total return yards, all in nine games. After becoming academically eligible to play varsity football after his sophomore year, Ward played a crucial role in the team’s offense and special teams for two seasons. He was also an August 2015 Plant City Times & Observer Athlete of the Week.
The award, which was created in 2016, is given annually to an athlete who shows the ability to overcome obstacles and demonstrates leadership.