The Beaumont Founders Lions Club annually awards the best offensive and defensive football players in honor of late football coach Willie Ray Smith. Smith won multiple state titles while pushing for civil rights at a segregated school. Senior Luke McDow was recently named one of the top four finalists for the 32nd annual awards.
Willie Ray Smith meant very much to the people of Southeast Texas, so the award is undoubtedly extraordinary for any football player. Luke was nominated for the award by his coaches and then selected to be a finalist by other coaches around Southeast Texas. He and the other finalists were recognized at a banquet held on March 3.
“The Willie Ray Smith Award is such a great honor,” Luke said. “It means so much to me because it recognizes not only me but my coaches and teammates. At the banquet, the finalists and nominees got recognized and several different people gave speeches. It was fun getting to talk to all the great players from around Southeast Texas. The award experience was fun, but it was not just me getting the award but my teammates and coaches too.”
Luke said his biggest inspiration to play football is his mother, Sarah McDow.
“She is one of the strongest people I know,” Luke said. “She is tough and extremely hard working, but she is also kind and loves to serve people.”
Luke has played football for ten years, starting off as quarterback but slowly growing to love defense at the linebacker position.
“Luke has loved football since he was very young,” McDow said. “He worked so hard, and for years he never actually won a game. He changed positions several times over the years and always gave his best effort. He persevered through injuries and pushed himself to get better. Luke strives to be a good leader and a good example for his teammates. Seeing him recognized as a Willie Ray Smith Award Finalist made me so excited and proud of him. It felt like his efforts were seen by coaches and people he greatly respects.”
Soon Luke will leave high school football behind; however, he said he will miss the Friday night lights dearly.
“I’m going to miss a lot about football,” Luke said. “I’m going to miss Friday Nights playing in front of all the Bear fans. However, the thing I’m going to miss most about football is my teammates and coaches and going through the off-season and summer workouts with them.”
As Luke has played for years, his grandmother Jane Dunn – who has taught at the high school for several years – will always be his number one fan.
“Luke is a very caring grandson,” Dunn said. “He calls me and brings me Sonic drinks whenever I’m sick. He is so kind and always has a smile. I was amazed and thankful that Luke was nominated for such a prestigious award. I, of course, thought he was a great football player, but I’m his Mema and I’m no expert on football. We loved watching him play on Friday nights, but then seeing him recognized for it was truly a blessing we will never forget.”
Football coach Joseph Peevey has coached McDow for the past three seasons and said it has been an honor and a privilege to be able to coach Luke.
“Luke’s preparation in season, or during the off season is one of the many reasons why Luke is such an exceptional student/athlete,” Peevey said. “Luke will be a very successful person in life.”
After graduation in May, Luke plans to play football at McPherson College in McPherson, Kansas. He plans to go on to find a career where he can help people.
“He loves football and leaves everything on the field when he plays the game,” McDow said. “I hope he can play football for as long as he wants to play, but my greatest hope for Luke is for him to love Christ and serve Him wherever He leads.”
