Chris Sammons

Senior

Baseball • Basketball • Football

Athlete on Athlete: “Good athlete. You want him on your team. He’s not really worried about himself. I trust him with everything. We’ve been throwing together since fourth grade.” — MA senior Matt Wallace

Coach Speak: “He’s a leader on and off the field. He’s a leader behind the plate and he’s a leader in the classroom. He’s the valedictorian. Chris is the type kid that he is going to do anything to help other people out.” — MA athletic director Jonathan Lindsey

The Skinny: Sammons may be the most unassuming star in the AISA. The diminutive senior served as one of the Longhorns’ top talents on the football field during his final season. He turned in big plays as a defensive back while also serving as the team’s place kicker. But Sammons earned his all-state credentials on the offensive side of the ball where he got an honorable mention nod from the Alabama Sports Writers Association. From there, it was all about basketball for the Longhorns’ two guard. He turned in a bevy of big games and served as a consistent glue guy for the Longhorns. Once the hardwood season ended, Sammons got back to his first love on the diamond. As a junior, he ripped double digit home runs and compiled a robust batting average to make first team all-state as a catcher. As a senior, he has caught every inning of the Longhorns’ season, duplicating a feat he first accomplished as a junior. The academics are there. The leadership is there. The character is there. And while he may not say much, the competitive chops are there. Sammons is a vital part of the Longhorn engine.

Matt Wallace

Senior

Baseball • Basketball • Football

Athlete on Athlete: “Great competitor. He’s going to do whatever it takes to win. In football, he is going to find the open receiver. In basketball, he is going to get it to somebody to score. In baseball, he is the guy you want on the mound.” — MA senior Chris Sammons

Coach Speak: “He’s been a leader on the football field and the baseball field and he has been our best on the mound for the last couple of years. He’s a vocal leader. All the kids look up to him. When you think about it, he is the definition of a leader.” — MA athletic director Jonathan Lindsey

The Skinny: He is the point guard for the basketball team. He is the quarterback, free safety, punter and punt returner for the football team. He is the shortstop and the No. 1 starting pitcher for the baseball team. In summation, if Marengo Academy needs it, the Longhorns turn to Marengo Academy. He is the unquestioned leader of the team and has been for no less than two years. Wallace has championship chops after playing on the team that won the state title early in his career and returning to the AISA’s final game as a junior. His senior season also saw him make the AISA All-Star basketball game and ultimately be named the MVP for the West squad. But his accolades may not yet be done.