Tristen Kelly named Defensive MVP

Everyone knows about the kind of season the VC offense had.

Everyone knows about the gaudy numbers in both yards and points scored the VC offense has managed all year.

The one thing that gets overlooked is the outstanding defensive play by the VC Eagles, and that defense was led by the 2013 Parish Defensive MVP, Tristin Kelly.

“Kelly is the heart of this defense,” head Coach Russell Kuhns said. “He (Kelly) is one of the hardest hitting, hardest playing and toughest kids I have ever seen play. He is the reason we were able to do a lot of the things we
did defensively.”

Kelly led the VC defense in tackles with 103 on the season.

He also added six tackles for loss one interception, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, three pass deflections and he even scored a defensive touchdown.

“It feels great to win this award,” Kelly said. “I know that everyone knows about what our offense can do. It is nice to see our defense get a little recognition.”

Kelly is the “heart” of the defense as coach Kuhns said. He does so from the middle linebacker position.

“I love playing the middle linebacker position,” Kelly said. “It’s like being the QB of the defense. Along with that I get to be down in the box and do one of my favorite things, hit people,”

Not only does Kelly know that he had a good season individually, but he is also aware that this award is somewhat a team award.

“This should be a team MVP award,” Kelly said. “I wouldn’t have been able to do any of the things I did without my team. My team makes me a better player and they deserve this just as much as I do.”

The VC defense only gave up a total of 180 points all season, including the playoff run to the state title. That averages out to the low average of 12.5 points per game they are giving up.

The VC defense only allowed more than 20 points in a game once. it was in the 44-31 victory of Central Catholic.

“Our defense played outstanding this year,” Kuhns said. “It’s amazing what happens when you have one side of the ball playing as a team.”

Kelly is a senior this year and it has finally hit him that his high school career is over.

“It hit me just a few days ago that it (high school football career) is over,” Kelly said. “I still can’t believe I’m done. It is something I have done most of my life and now it is over, but it had to end some time and this was the
best way for it to end.

Andy Bullard
Sports Editor