Rabun County coach Lee Shaw, right, accepts an award from Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith on Saturday in Atlanta.
Three area football figures were recently honored by the Atlanta Falcons.
Rabun County football coach Lee Shaw was named Class AA Coach of the Year by the Falcons, while Union County player T Bentley earned the Warrick Dunn Captain in the Community of the Year Award. Also former Commerce head coach Ray Lamb was given the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Captain in the Community of the Year Award recognized an outstanding varsity high school football student-athlete in the state of Georgia that demonstrated strong leadership skills both on and off the field.
Shaw, meanwhile, earned Coach of the Year honors after leading his alma mater to its first winning season since 2000 and the Wildcats' first state playoff appearance since 1998 -- in his first campaign in charge.
The longtime Flowery Branch head coach and former Rabun County assistant led the Wildcats to a 6-5 mark in 2012.
Shaw joined other coach of the year honorees:
Class 1A – Jon Lindsey – Irwin County High School
Class 2A – Lee Shaw – Rabun County High School
Class 3A – Tim McFarlin – Blessed Trinity Catholic High School
Class 4A – DeTimothy Floyd – Jonesboro High School
Class 5A – Tommy Parks – Harris County High School
Class 6A - Al Hughes- Lovejoy High School
Lamb, meanwhile, was honored after 32 seasons of coaching that included 22 at Commerce. During his career, Lamb posted a record of 249-103-11 and three state titles -- including the 1981 Class AA crown at Commerce. Lamb also coached Warren County to Class C titles in 1965 and '66.
