As a busy motivational speaker that works with the football programs at Texas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Baylor and Tulsa, Jon Randle knows his big-time connections in the world of athletics might allow the enthusiastic evangelist an opportunity to make a big-time hit on an impressionable young man or woman.

After all, here is a guy that saw a young Bam Morris when he made all the right moves, before life came up with a big hit.

"When he was around smart people, Bam was as smart as anyone," Randle recalled from Morris' early days in Lubbock.  "But when he was around people making poor decisions, he let them affect him.  Be nice to everybody, but be very careful who is influencing you.  It is about being a a champion on the field, but it is also about being a champion in the classroom.  It's not about just being a champion on game day, but it takes being a champion 24/7 because sooner or later you're gonna get squeezed," Randle relayed.

Sooner or later life puts the crunch on everybody, he told the packed crowd in the Bonham High School Cafeteria.  The only choice, Randle warned the group ahead of time, is whether you pay up front by by making decisions that will let you take the hits life has in store.

"Make the decision to take care of your body," Randle asked of the group.  "Take care of your mind and stay in school.  It's not gonna happen for you if you don't stay in school.  And be excellent when it comes to character.  Draw a line between who you are nice to and who is influencing you, because even more important than winning ball games is winning at life."

Bonham AD Ronnie Hill told about the coaching staff's decision on how to honor Justin Owen, the Purple Warrior that lost his battle with Leukemia on December 4, 2004.  A scholarship will be set up in honor of Justin and donations are now being accepted.

Justin was also named as the Jack McElhannon Award winner for the second year in a row.

"He will live in our hearts," Karen Butler said of the Purple Warrior that was separated by body but not by spirit on this big night.  "This one is for Justin," Butler said as she lifted the trophy. 

Bonham head football coach Larry McFarlin went 5-0 at home in 2004 and he challenged the freshman class to get a taste of the playoffs all four years.

"The chemistry of our staff is tremendous," McFarlin remarked.  We have a blast.  There wasn't a single practice that wasn't fun, but there was a sense of urgency.  I'm a firm believer that good things just don't happen."

Offensive MVP -- T. J. Washington

Defensive MVP -- Jameison Patterson

Offensive Lineman of the Year -- Mason Adams

Offensive Back of the Year -- Julius Scott (District 9-3A Ofensive MVP

Defensive Lineman of the Year -- Chris Bridenthal

Defensive Back/Linebacker of the Year -- Jameison Patterson

Purple Heart Award -- Jordan Eaton

Warrior Award -- Wade Hayes

Sportsmanship Award -- Chris Casperite

Jack McElhannon Award -- Justin Owen