Published: December 05, 2005 11:45 pm         

Plainsmen seniors pick up awards at EHS' football banquet

By Mark Rountree Sports Editor



Through 10 games of the 2005 football season, John Baudendistel chased Mike Martin's single-season receiving record.

A five-catch performance in the season finale at Stillwater left the Enid High School senior four receptions short, but his play on the field -- and character off of it -- impressed the coaching staff enough to award Baudendistel one of the highest honors given to an Enid football player, an award named after Martin's father.

Before a crowd of several hundred at the annual postseason awards banquet on Monday, Enid coach Tom Cobble announced Baudendistel as the recipient of the Rex Martin Award.

The award recognizes citizenship, athletic ability and scholarship. Baudendistel also was named the Offensive Player of the Year for his 41 catches this season and his 1,002 career receiving yards, one of only six players in Enid history to surpass the 1,000-yard plateau.

"This is an incredible honor," said Baudendistel, who made a position switch before his junior season from quarterback to receiver. "It's a great privilege to be one of the six players to have 1,000 yards."

Mike Martin was in contact with Baudendistel throughout the season, encouraging him to go for the record. But the two had not met until Monday night at the Hoover Building. The two even made plans to go on a hunting trip in the coming weeks.

"He was fun to watch this season," said Martin. "If Enid wasn't five-deep (at the receiver position) John would have caught 60 balls."

Defensive back Marques Odom, who ended his prep career with a punt return for a touchdown against Stillwater, was named the winner of the Irv Honigsberg Award, Enid's other top award.

The award, which recognizes academics, sportsmanship and leadership, is given in honor of the late Irv Honigsberg, a major benefactor to the Enid program. The Enid locker room at Plainsmen Field is named after Honigsberg. The award comes with a $1,000 scholarship, which Odom can use at the college of his choice.

"I was surprised that I got this award," said Odom. "The scholarship is really going to help me. But every senior deserved this award."

Linebacker Jamarr Perry, who set a single-season school record with 154 tackles, won the Tim Kirby Award, which recognizes effort and team spirit. Kirby was a former Plainsmen who died in 1969. Perry also was named the Defensive Player of the Year.

Center Matt Tapia, who led the team with an 85-percent blocking grade this season, was named Lineman of the Year.

Junior quarterback Austin Box, who set a school record for total yards this season, also was recognized by Cobble. Box passed for 1,467 yards and 14 touchdowns and ran for 815 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also returned a kickoff for a score.