Picayune's Coach Dodd Lee and players receive awards

by Carey Meitzler

The Mississippi Gulf Coast Chapter of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame held their annual banquet on Wednesday,

April 25, 2007, at the Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino's Grand Ballroom in Biloxi.   Picayune Memorial High School's Head

Coach Dodd Lee and graduating seniors Micah Hickman and Dale Meitzler all received awards.

Dodd Lee was selected as co-recipient of the Frank "Twig" Branch Coaches Award.  Lee shared the award with long time friend

Coach Rocky Gaudin of Mercy Cross High School.  Lee was introduced by his son Tyler, a 2006 graduate of Picayune.

      Coach Dodd Lee accepting the Frank "Twig" Branch Coaches Award.

In accepting the award, Lee commented on the importance of having good people around you.

"I am humbled to accept this award.  I have been blessed to have great assistant coaches and players for many years. 

My assistants are so good that I could not show up and know that they could carry on and get down what needs to be

done."

Lee also acknowledge his family, his wife, and Jesus Christ.

"The person who has always held it together for us (family) has been my wife, Diane.  And everything we all do as coaches

and parents is because of only one person, Jesus Christ."

                        Allen Hickman, Micah Hickman, Dale Meitzler, and Carey Meitzler

                               Micah Hickman, Coach Dodd Lee, Dale Meitzler

Micah Hickman was the recipient of the Rocky Byrd Quarterback Award for his leadership, perseverance, and

performance for the 2006.  Hickman, who was sidelined early in 2005 with a broken ankle, lead the Maroon Tide

to 11 wins playing the last regular season game and three playoff games with a torn ligament in his knee.

Dale Meitzler, a fullback and linebacker, was recognized by the Chapter as a Scholar Athlete for his performance

both on the field and in the classroom.  Meitzler carries a 4.0 GPA and scored 30 on his ACT.

Both Hickman and Meitzler will play football this coming fall at Division III Mississippi College in Clinton, MS,

under Coach Norman Joseph.

Picayune's Dodd Lee and Mercy Cross' Rocky Gaudin share a moment at the banquet.