After the greens of the playing fields and courts came the trophies and plaques for the athletes of Blackville-Hilda High School May 26 during its annual sports banquet.

Blackville-Hilda High recognized more than 100 athletes for their accomplishments in competition.

Blackville-Hilda High athletics enjoyed another successful season. The varsity football team won the region 4A title after going unbeaten in the regular season at 10-0. The Hawks finished 12-1 overall after losing to Scott's Branch High in the Lower State Finals.

It was the team's seventh consecutive trip to Lower State or Upper State games. Head coach David Berry was named region Coach of the Year for the 15th time.

In varsity soccer, the Hawks won the region 4A title for the second time under coach Daniel Holbrook. Holbrook was selected Region Coach of the Year.

The girls varsity basketball team won two playoff games after finished second in the region under coach William Hammond.

Blackville-Hilda High Athletic Director Michael Beasley said the program continues to rank as one of the best in its class in the state.

"We take a lot of pride in our athletics here at Blackville-Hilda," Beasley said. "This program been blessed over the years with good athletes and good coaches."

The ceremony was highlighted by guest speaker Lavon Kirkland. Kirkland, a standout linebacker at Clemson University, played 12 years in the National Football League, including 10 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

As a member of the Steelers, Kirkand played in Super Bowl XXX against the Dallas Cowboys in 1996, where he recorded a team high 10 tackles and a sack. After leaving the Steelers by free agency in 2002, Kirkland played for the Seattle Seahawks in 2001 and Philadelphia Eagles in 2002 before retiring.

Beasley said it was a privilege to have someone on hand with credentials like Kirkland.

"First of all, Lavon Kirkland is a great human being and a great role model for our kids," Beasley said.

"He made it doing it the right way. He understands what hardwork and discipline is all about. To have someone like him to relay this kind of message to our kids is just awesome."

In the award presentations, the four-sports letterman plaque recipients included Jarvaris Dukes, Joe Thomas, Freddie Glover, Chris Kearse, Roosevelt Hutto, Candace Jones, Grace Harrison and Shamon Harley.

The three-sports letterman plaque recipients were Quentin Johnson, Larry Johnson, Deangelio Tyler, Anthony Jones, Brenton Holiday, Marquis Bryant and Herquanda Williams.

In varsity football, the Hawks had eight players selected All-Region. They included Brian Chisholm, Joe Thomas, DeCarlos Johnson, Roosevelt Hutto, Quentin Johnson, Okoye Roundtree and Terrance Hughes.

All-Region honors in baseball went to Deangelio Tyler and Dustin Beasley. Candace Jones was selected All-Region in volleyball.

In varsity soccer, All-Region honors went to Quentin Johnson, Thomas Daniels, Joe Thomas and Freddie Glover.

For boys varsity basketball, Joe Thomas and Larry Johnson were selected All-Region.

For girls varsity basketball, Candace Jones and Shawanda Ferguson were selected All-Region players. In softball, Heather Still and Kelcee Shore were named All-Region.

Blackville-Hilda High athletes, who maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better were named Academic All-State. They included Logan Beasley, Jacoby Hammond, Davnuis Johnson, Allante' Harrison, Tyler Sanderlin, Kelcee Shore, Eric Collins, Elise Davis, Kimberly Hutson, Anthony Williams, Dustin Beasley, Bradley, Harrison, Hutto, Candace Jones and Shidaa Mincy.

The South Carolina High School League Scholar Athletes Award recipients were Dustin Beasley, Bradley, Harrison, Hutto, Candace Jones and Mincy.