Mid-season awards

As we approach the mid-point of the season I thought it would be interesting to take a quick look at who could win some awards if it was the end of the season.
This is just one person's take after the first five weeks of the season.
(DISCLAIMER: If the season ended today, this isn't necessarily how the awards would go. Before any awards are selected there is a selection process that takes place.)
I have seen some good things and some bad things. I won't just name the standard awards -- offensive player of the year, defensive player of the year and coach of the year -- there will be some others.

So here goes:

BIGGEST SURPRISE
There were a lot of teams that could have won this award. I will start with a team that hasn't done as well as I thought. I didn't expect Northside to make the playoffs this season, but I thought the Patriots could have a couple of wins already. I didn't forecast an 0-4 start for the Patriots.
Next, I thought that Pacelli was going to be good. I saw them beat Turner County in the second round of the Class A playoffs, so I knew they were good. I wasn't quite sure that the Vikings would start 4-0. Seeing them last week and even though they didn't play their best, I expect them to start the season 9-0. Pacelli will then have a chance to complete an unbeaten regular season with a win against Brookstone.
The winner: Spencer. The Greenwaves are 3-2 and are capable of winning a couple more games this season. This is the first time since 1997 that Spencer won three games in a season.

BEST TEAM
After beating Shaw during the second week of the season, there is no doubt who is the best team in the Bi-City.
Until Carver loses, the Tigers are the best team around. Period.
Next award.

CAPABLE OF WINNING A REGION TITLE
Region 2-AAA -- Carver -- The Tigers will win the region with a win against Troup and LaGrange.
Shaw -- the Raiders need a win against LaGrange, and the Grangers to beat Carver. That would create a three-team tie. If that happens they have a chance to earn the No. 1 seed.

Region 4-A -- Brookstone -- The Cougars need to beat Schley County, Chattahoochee County and Pacelli.
Pacelli -- The Vikings have to beat Schley County and Brookstone.

COACH OF THE YEAR
This is was probably the easiest one to decide at this point in the season. Spencer coach Oliver Davis has done the best coaching job through five games.
Before the season, most wouldn't have given Spencer more than one win this season. Davis and the Greenwaves already have won three games.
If he wins four or five games, Davis will be in the discussion at the end of the season.
Also deserving consideration: Jeff Battles, Pacelli; Dell McGee, Carver; Scott Newman, Shaw.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
This one might be a surprise to some, but he has gotten it done on the field -- Spencer's Derrick Walker. The senior defensive back has made five interceptions and has returned three of them for touchdowns.
It's this simple: Walker has made plays.
In a year when there isn't a clear-cut frontrunner, Walker is quickly becoming that player.
Also deserving consideration: James McGee, Hardaway; Brandon Shannon, Shaw; Sammy Oates, Pacelli.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
I got the chance to see flashes of what he could do last season in a limited role. But Shaw's Kyle Griswould has been unstoppable during the first half of the season.
He has rushed for 100 yards in every game this season and is averaging 9.3 yards per carry. In addition to his 745 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, he has 10 catches for 145 yards and a touchdown.
He's been the most productive player in the Bi-City.
Also deserving consideration: Orwin Smith, Central; Jacquise Terry, Pacelli; Stuart Wilkerson, Pacelli.

We'll see what happens in the second half. Let me know your picks for offensive and defensive player of the year.