HMS football coach Eric Watkins honored by city

The Henderson Middle School Rams football team

Henderson Middle School football coach Eric Watkins was honored on Monday evening by the Henderson City Council.

Home in Henderson estimates nearly 100 parents and supporters turned up at City Hall for the ceremony honoring Watkins and the team. With every seat in the council chamber taken, the foyer of the new city hall was filled to capacity with the largest crowd the new facility has yet seen.

This year, the Henderson Middle School Rams fought to an undefeated 8-0 season under the tutelage of Coach Watkins. The team has a roster of 57 student athletes.

The Reverend John Miles (at podium), Head Coach Eric Watkins (background)

Assistant Coach the Reverend John Miles gave the dedication for the event honoring Watkins.

During remarks made to the council, Watkins praised former coach and current city council member Lonnie Davis for “saving [his] life” in 1984 when Watkins’ father died of cancer.

Henderson Middle Schools Rams Head Coach Eric Watkins

Watkins said that seeing Davis means as much to him as receiving the award.

Henderson City Council member and former coach Lonnie Davis as he listens to remarks made by Coach Watkins

Henderson Mayor Pete O’Geary told the seventh and eighth grade student players that they “sent an example for others to follow”. He told them that other young people are watching them, and that they should be positive in everything that the do, in the classroom, on the field, and in their leisure time.

The students were treated to pizza by NC Rep. Michael Wray after the award ceremony.