J.R. Tidwell/FCT Bradley Patterson of Red Bay shows off his award plaque beside former Red Bay head football coach Dale Jeffreys.

Only one football player from Franklin County was invited to the 2011 Alabama Sports Writers Association Mr. Football Awards Banquet presented by the Alabama High School Athletic Directors and Coaches Association.

That young man was Bradley Patterson, a senior at Red Bay High School.

Patterson was a defensive lineman for the Tigers and was one of three finalists for 2A Lineman of the Year.

As it turned out, the only nominee from Franklin County would become the only award winner as well.

Patterson received more votes than Kemond Gauntt of Reeltown and Kyle Sappington of American Christian Academy to win the honor.

He beat out Sappington by only four votes in a tight race.

“It’s a shock and an honor to be selected,” Patterson said. “I was surprised when they called my name.”

Patterson said that he plans on attending Northeast Community College in Mississippi, where he is likely to join the football team.

“I’m going to major in athletic training there, and I want to eventually get a Master’s Degree in math.”

Although he hasn’t decided on a school after Northeast, he does know what he wants to do with that degree.

“I want to get a good job in the field,” he said.

The senior also weighed in the future of Red Bay’s football program without Dale Jeffreys at the helm.

“I think it will hurt them on offense, but they have some pretty good candidates lined up,” he said.

The end of a high school career is bittersweet for most athletes, and Patterson is no exception.

“I’m a little depressed that this is my last year of high school, but I plan on continuing to work hard and keep at it,” he said.