Spencer, Givens receive prestigious team awards

For the last two seasons, Holmes Community College sophomores Matt Spencer of Brandon and Kris Givens of Ridgeland led the Bulldog football team on the field and have been recognized by their peers with MACJC and NJCAA honors. But their leadership on and off the field led to their selection of the Bradly S. MacNealy and the Ras Branch Awards for 2013-14.

Spencer, a punter, received the MacNealy Award while Givens received the Branch Award. The MacNealy Award is named for Colonel MacNealy, who played both football and baseball at Holmes, and is currently the U.S. Property and Fiscal Officer for the Mississippi Army and Air National Guard. The Branch Award is named for Ras Branch, who served as president of Holmes from 1940-49 and also served as coach at Holmes securing numerous state championships both in football, baseball and men's basketball.

Following the 2013 season, Spencer was named to the MACJC First Team and the NJCAA Region XXIII team. He was also nominated to the NJCAA All-American Team. Spencer finished the season with 65 punts for 2609 yards for a 40.1 average. He had a long of 54 yards with 23 punts downed inside the 20, two fair catches and six touchbacks. Spencer finished seventh in the NJCAA. He has also been selected to play in the MACJC All-Star Game on December 5.

Givens was named Second Team All-State both is freshman and sophomore seasons.  In 2013, Givens had 39 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss for five yards, one forced fumble, one recovered fumble, four interceptions for 43 yards and three pass breakups.  He will also play in the All-Star game with Spencer.

"I'm really thankful I got this award," Spencer said. "It means a lot to me, the coaches and the team. I'm thankful for the opportunity to play football here.

"I didn't know it was me until he started talking about me individually," he added. "I was thankful from then on."

Spencer credits his faith in God for making him a leader. "One reason the coaches were talking me about as a leader is one thing I'm very thankful for is my faith," Spencer said. "I'm surrendering to ministry. Later on in the future I'm going to be pastor, a youth pastor and I really take pride in that job. I really think God had ordained me for it. I'm thankful for the opportunity just to be able to hang out with these guys and share my faith with them as I play the great sport of football.

"I take pride in leading that way as well as on the field," he added. "I try to incorporate that in everything I do. It just so happens that I spend most of my time with the football players. I'm sure they got tired of me though. To be honest I'm not very good at leading but I know who is and that's Jesus. Hopefully the players see that through me and I reflect that. I know the greatest leader is right at the palm of our hands, and we don't even realize it."

Givens said he was surprised he received the Branch Award. "It's really an honor," Givens said. "The award really describes what I strive to be. I really tried to do my best, and I think I did. I'm pleased with the opportunity I had here. I really thank the coaches and administrators for giving me the chance.

"I really tried to be a leader both on and off the field and in the classroom," he said. "I hope I was a good leader here. I'm glad I had the chance. I'm not a vocal person. I try to lead by example with my play on the field and bring some players with me."