Even though Fred Flavors didn’t win the AISA Back of the Year award at the 2017 Alabama Sports Writers Association Mr. Football Awards Banquet on Jan. 30 in Montgomery, the Escambia Academy stand out athlete said he was proud to have been in that situation.

“It was a great experience me being a senior,” Flavors said. “I was just glad to be here. To be one of the top finalists, I’d like to thank God for letting me be here and my family for pushing me through.”

Monroe Academy’s Griffin McKenzie, at quarterback, was named the AISA Back of the Year. McKenzie received 28 first place votes. Flavors had 20.

Flavors said he knew the other two finalists from his playing days with the Cougars.

“I played against Griffin my eighth grade year,” he said. “He deserved it. He’s a pretty good athlete.”

Flavors said Autauga’s Trace Ott, who won the AISA Lineman of the Year award, was well deserving of the award.

During his senior season, Flavors rushed for 376 yards on 37 attempts and scored six touchdowns. He added 514 receiving yards and five touchdowns as a receiver.

Flavors said he’s fielding offers from schools, but hasn’t made a decision where he’ll play next fall.

Austin’s Asa Martin was named the 36th recipient of the ASWA’s Mr. Football Award during the luncheon, which was presented by the Alabama High School Athletic Directors and Coaches Association.

Martin rushed for 2,228 yards on 198 carries and scored 33 touchdowns, while adding two more scores and 399 yards on 20 receptions. Austin went 12-1 on the year before losing in the quarterfinals in overtime to eventual champion Pinson Valley.

The annual luncheon was held at the Renaissance Hotel at the Convention Center in Montgomery.