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Army Iron Man - Arkansas

Mountainburg’s Michael Thomas

voted Army Iron Man of the Year

Army Iron Man honors best two-way high school football player in Arkansas  

OKLAHOMA CITY , OK – The U.S. Army Oklahoma City Recruiting Battalion is proud to announce that Mountainburg’s Michael Thomas is the Army Iron Man of the Year in Arkansas as the state’s best two-way high school football player.  During the campaign, more than 11,000 votes were counted. Thomas recorded 2,418 votes for the Army Iron Man of the Year and will receive a customized, championship-quality ring from presenting sponsor Jostens.  

Thomas earned the week seven Army Iron Man honor after grabbing two interceptions on defense and connecting on a nine-yard touchdown strike in Mountainburg’s 21-7 win over Elkins.  Playing and excelling on both offense and defense, the Army Iron Man must demonstrate physical and emotional strength, as well as strength of character.  The Army Iron Man embodies the qualities of Army STRONG.   

Jostens, Inc. is the legendary jeweler of championship rings that are worn by the greatest athletes in the world, including the 2006 Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers.  Based in Minneapolis , Jostens was founded in 1897 and is a leading provider of products, programs, and services that help people celebrate important moments, recognize achievements, and build affiliations.  Jostens, Inc.’s products include yearbooks, class rings, graduation products, and products for athletic champions and their fans.  For more information, visit www.Jostens.com.  

The United States Army is charged with protecting America ’s freedom and preserving peace.  The Army trains and equips its soldiers to be the best, especially when it comes to their job, leadership, and soldiering skills.  With more than 150 jobs available in many exciting fields, the U.S. Army provides many job training and leadership training opportunities.  From working with computer to assisting doctors to fixing helicopters, there’s an Army job that’s right for you.  For more information, go online to www.GoArmy.com.  

The Army Iron Man Award honors the best two-way high school football players in nine different states, including Alabama , Arkansas , Kansas , Kentucky , Missouri , Ohio , Oklahoma , Virginia , and West Virginia .  

  Online Votes E-Mailed Votes Total Votes
Michael Thomas -Mountainburg 190 2,228 2,418
Logan Gaither - Walnut Ridge 159 1,944 2,103
Mike Roberts - Cedarville 323 1,140 1,763
      FINAL - VOTING CLOSED

 Army Iron Man of the Week - Winners

Week One Seth Keese - Harding Academy Keese scored three touchdowns - throwing for one score, rushing for another - and grabbed an interception late in the game as Harding Academy beat Pocahontas, 30-15.
Week Two Logan Gaither - Walnut Ridge Gaither had five receptions for 74 yards and a two-point conversion and had a team-high 14 tackles on defense as Walnut Ridge beat Cave City, 47-36.
Week Three Mike Roberts - Cedarville Roberts rushed for 106 yards, scored on a 58-yard punt return, and set up the game-winning field goal with a 44-yard punt return in Cedarville's 10-7 win over Pottsville.
Week Four D.J. Ward - Lafayette County Ward grabbed two touchdowns of 65 and 7 yards and recorded two interceptions on defense in Lafayette County's 35-7 win over Drew Central.
Week Five Raphael Adkins - Hamburg Adkins returned an interception for a 35-yard touchdown and scored on a 47-yard reception in Hamburg's 37-7 win over McGehee.
Week Six Jesse Grandy - Dollarway Grandy threw a 24-yard touchdown pass, ran for a 62-yard touchdown, and returned an interception for a 72-yard touchdown as Dollarway beat Fordyce, 33-20.
Week Seven Michael Thomas - Mountainburg Thomas grabbed two interceptions on defense and connected on a nine-yard touchdown pass as Mountainburg beat Elkins, 21-7.
Week Eight Anthony Sharp - Prairie Grove Sharp scored on a 10-yard run and grabbed an interception in Prairie Grove's 24-6 win over Pea Ridge.
Week Nine Brandon Smith - Lonoke Smith rushed for 127 yards on seven carries with two touchdowns while forcing a fumble and returning an interception for a touchdown in Lonoke's 41-22 win over Stuttgart.
Week Ten Daniel Holiday - West Fork Holiday scored five touchdowns in West Fork's 49-13 win over Subiaco Academy, throwing two touchdowns, rushing for two more touchdowns, and returning an interception for a 39-yard score.