NATCHEZ — Seven middle-schoolers and six high-school football players were honored at the 35th annual Miss-Lou National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame Award Banquet Thursday night at the Natchez Community Center.

“It’s a great organization that helps these student athletes,” NFF Miss-Lou Chapter president Joe Willis said. “Everyone knows, in this economy, every little bit helps. I’m glad we can be a part of getting this out here.”

The NFF awarded six scholarships — the fourth- through sixth-place winners were awarded a $1,000 scholarship, the third-place winner was awarded a $1,750 scholarship, the second-place winner was awarded $2,250 scholarship, and the first-place winner was awarded a $3,000 scholarship.

Cathedral High School student Jackson Carpenter took home the $3,000 award. Among several of Carpenter’s accomplishments are his membership in the National Honor Society, a GPA of 4.357, a 32 on the ACT, president of the National Science Honor Society.

Carpenter received the scholar athlete award as a middle school student and said, since then, he always wanted to come back and work for the scholarship.

“I wanted to come back and represent my school and family well,” he said. “This is kind of a testament for all of that hard work to pay off.”

Carl Knight Jr. from Natchez High School was awarded the $2,250 scholarship. Carl maintains a 3.41 GPA at Natchez High and is on the honor roll. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club and Student Government Association. Knight also received the scholar athlete award as a middle school student and plans to attend Mississippi State, his uncle’s alma mater.

“It means a lot, since I’m going to Mississippi State,” Knight said. “It will really help with the books and tuition.”

Ferriday High School’s Delandrius Dunbar received the $1,750 scholarship award. Dunbar is second in his graduating class, scored a 23 on the ACT and was recognized to the the Concordia Parish Honors Program in 2015.

Trinity’s C.J. Chatman, Vidalia’s Lee Ford and Adams County Christian School’s Chism Mardis received $1,000 scholarships.

Chatman plays wide receiver and safety for Trinity and also plays basketball and throws discus and runs hurdles for the Saints’ track team. He is involved in the community with volunteer work at JV football games and the Natchez Festival of Music. He balances his grades and extracurricular activities while he works at Magnolia Grill after school and on weekends.

Ford is a two-year All-District honorable mention lineman and made the principal’s list at Vidalia High School. He is a member of the Beta Club, Family Career and Community Leaders of America and the Newspaper Club. He is a volunteer tutor and youth football referee.

Mardis racked up over 900 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns as ACCS’s running back. He is an alter server at St. Mary Basilica and worked with Vacation Bible School. Mardis hasa 3.61 GPA at ACCS and scored a 22 on the ACT.

The students were presented the award by former Ole Miss and New Orleans Saints All-Pro running back Deuce McCallister.

“It’s about having that hunger and desire,” McCallister said. “I know they have it on the field and most of them have it in the classroom. To my middle school kids, you have a long road ahead of you but there a still things for you to accomplish.

The middle school players awarded scholar athlete awards included Seth Smith, ACCS; Christopher Johnson, Cathedral Middle School; Jacob Spinks, Delta Charter School; Justin Elliott, Ferriday Junior High School; Desnick Bolden, Natchez Middle School; Sterling Yarborough, Trinity Episcopal Junior High School; and Moshen Musa, Vidalia Junior High School.

Two more awards were presented in addition to the scholarships. Robert Lamar “Red” Owens was posthumously awarded the Contributions to Amateur Football Award and Mike Martin received the Distinguished American Award.