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State Gazette Football Co-Offensive Player of the Year: Dyersburg Trojan John Morris Trowbridge
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Dyersburg Trojan John Morris Trowbridge
JASON PEEVYHOUSE
As one of the spark plugs which helped the Trojan offense record the program’s second undefeated season in three years, Dyersburg Trojan quarterback John Morris Trowbridge has been named the State Gazette Football Co-Offensive Player of the Year for this past football season.
Dyersburg Head Coach Bart Stowe was quick to praise his senior quarterback for what he meant to the program during a season which saw him win the Region 7-3A Player of the Year Award.
“Obviously, he was a leader for us on and off the field,” Stowe explained. “He was the captain of the ship out there and he did a really good job.
“He was a very dynamic player and ran the offense. He could run the ball and he could throw the ball. He captained the ship all the way around.”
Being able to do this allowed Trowbridge to become a threat in several areas on of the offensive side of the ball.
“He was a threat with his legs and with his arm,” the Dyersburg head coach said. “And, then with his mind, getting everybody lined up to run the plays.
“We communicate from the sidelines – from the coaches to him and then to his teammates.”
Over the course of his senior season, Trowbridge grew in his leadership role as well in his playmaking ability.
“His ability to extend plays – to make plays with his legs and his arms whenever we asked him to,” Stowe recalled of Trowbridge’s progress. “You can go back and look at some of our bigger plays, he always made plays with his legs and with his arm.
“He ran the offense. That’s just what he did.”
Though Trowbridge suffered a season-ending injury during Dyersburg’s Week 11 win over Ripley to close out the regular season, the senior quarterback continued to make an impact even from the sidelines.
Stowe agreed his insight was big for the players filling in for him – not only on offense but on defense and special teams, as well.
“Unfortunately, John Morris got hurt,” Stowe said. “And it was a major impact on all three phases of the game – offense, defense, and special teams.
“Other people had to step up into his roles. That was the big thing, whenever he was injured, John Morris was there for his teammates. And for the people that were stepping up into his roles as far as coaching them and helping them with pointers and getting them game-ready each and every week.”
Stowe described Trowbridge as a player who never missed workouts and this continued even after suffering the season-ending injury.
“He was there for his teammates and helping us,” the Trojan head coach recalled. “He was there for his team throughout the playoffs.”
Things like this can explain why Trowbridge was honored by the region as it’s player of the year as well.
“His commitment to his teammates and to his program makes all of us very proud,” Stowe added. “It was paramount to us.
“He was not a selfish person. He did whatever we needed him to do – played whatever position we needed him to. Then, when his role changed when he was injured, he was able to make that change to where he would still stay involved with the team. Still make that impact on the team throughout the playoffs. He was a huge leader for us and a motivator. He was our MVP because of what he did on and off the field.”
Trowbridge was able to make an impact in all three phases of the game which showcased his football I.Q.
“It was very high,” Stowe said of Trowbridge’s football I.Q. “It really showed going into the offseason going into his senior season that he was really committed.
“Then he took it to the field – to offense, to defense, and to special teams – that he was that leader. He was very motivated because he wanted to have a great season year. He did and lead us to a great senior year in all three phases.”
Stowe added he is really proud of Trowbridge.
“I know he will have great things ahead of him with whatever he chooses to do,” the Trojan head coach said. “He is going to be missed, like our senior class is missed.”