Connor Noland Named 2017 Landers Award Winner

                                                       DeWaine Duncan, KATV

Greenwood senior quarterback Connor Noland was named the winner of the 2017 Landers Award during a live 30-minute tv special Wednesday, January 17 on KATV Channel 7.

“You know we’re proud to sponsor this one of a kind award,” Landers said at the beginning of the live special. “We have exceptional finalists from all over Arkansas. We’re excited to see who will take home this prestigious trophy.”

After a series of taped segments and live chats with each of the nominated players, KATV Sports Director Steve Sullivan announced Noland as the winner. Along with a trophy and ring, Noland received a $3,000 scholarship that will go to the University of Arkansas, where he has signed to play football and baseball next year.

After the broadcast, Noland said he was going to celebrate with his friends back home but not before getting food and a good night’s sleep.

“It means a lot to win this award,” he said. “There’s been a lot of hard work, you know, blood, sweat and tears that have gone into this. And to be recognized with the great group of guys is definitely an honor, and [I’m] just blessed to be in this position.”

The Landers Award honors the top high school football player in Arkansas and has been given out every year since 2000. The KATV Sports staff chooses a Landers Player of the Week for 13 weeks during the high school football season and announces it live each week during the Thursday sportscast.

 DeWaine Duncan, KATV

Previous award winners are:

• De’Arrius Howard of West Memphis, 2000

• Reed McKinney of Warren, 2001

• Landon Leach of Russellville, 2002

• Peyton Hillis of Conway, 2003

• Darren McFadden of Oak Grove, 2004

• Damien Williams of Springdale, 2005

• A.J. Whitmore of Nashville, 2006

• Tyler Wilson of Greenwood, 2007

• Spencer Keith of Pulaski Academy, 2008

• Michael Dyer of Little Rock Christian, 2009

• Brandon Allen of Fayetteville, 2010

• Fredi Knighten of Pulaski Academy, 2011

• Drew Morgan of Greenwood, 2012

• Zach Launius of Cabot, 2013

• Ty Story of Charleston, 2014

• LaDarius Skelton of Pine Bluff, 2015

• Taylor Powell of Fayetteville, 2016

Learn more about the other nominees here, and watch the KATV broadcast here.