NORTH LITTLE ROCK - All 45 finalists journeyed from across the state Monday night to attend the 2011 FARM BUREAU AWARDS at the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce  and nearby Argenta Community Theater.

The finalists and their guests enjoyed a banquet catered by MarketPlace Grill followed by a video extravaganza where 15 winners received player or coach of the year honors. THV2 and THV2.com broadcast the event live.

The Farm Bureau Awards honor Arkansas' top offensive player, defensive player and coach of the year for each classification. The veteran staff at Hooten's Arkansas Football selects three finalists for each category, and those finalists are invited to attend the Farm Bureau Awards.

Van Buren’s Cole Plunkett received the Arkansas AIR Guard Scholar Athlete of the Year award.

Farm Bureau vice president-general manager Duff Wallace said, "Farm Bureau congratulates all of the finalists for this year's awards. They represent some of the best student-athletes in our state. Farm Bureau is proud to honor their excellence as the title sponsor of this outstanding event."

Farm Bureau Insurance has supported education and community involvement in Arkansas for more than 50 years.

2011 FARM BUREAU AWARDS

7A/6A FINALISTS (winner in bold)
OFFENSE
Dallas Hardison, Bentonville
Levi Runyan, Lake Hamilton
Shaquille Jones, Fort Smith Northside

DEFENSE
Brian Anderson, Little Rock Central
Cody Dauksch, West Memphis
Seth Gates, Har-Ber

COACHES
Paul Calley, Bryant
Randy Coleman, Jonesboro
Daryl Patton, Fayetteville

5A FINALISTS
OFFENSE
Hayden Smith, Greenwood
Neal Burcham, Greenbrier
Derek Keaton, Camden Fairview

DEFENSE
Ajalen Holley, Hot Springs Lakeside
Jackie Harris, Watson Chapel
Cody Vaughn, Batesville

COACHES
Rick Jones, Greenwood
Jared McBride, Hot Springs Lakeside
Mike Vaughn, White Hall

4A FINALISTS
OFFENSE
Fredi Knighten, Pulaski Academy
Michael Ludwig, Heber Springs
Darrick Strzelecki, Gravette

DEFENSE
Justin James, Malvern
Deondrai Haynes, McGehee
Keith Humbert, Stuttgart

COACHES
Marcus Haddock, McGehee
Jeremie Burns, Ozark
John Fogleman, Malvern

3A FINALISTS
OFFENSE
Daniel McCoy, Prescott
Dustin Shelby, Charleston
Wil Jarnagan, West Fork

DEFENSE
Quanterio Heath, Rison
Robert Cooney, Rivercrest
Ethan Roberts, Barton

COACHES
Van Paschal, Barton
Brad Harris, Lincoln
Doug Loughridge, Charleston

2A FINALISTS
OFFENSE
Kenneth Dixon, Strong
Darius Barnes, E. Poinsett County
Jeffery Pinkston, Magnet Cove

DEFENSE
Matt Tenison, Hazen
Josh Dority, Magazine
Bronte Elliott, Junction City

COACHES
Scott Waymire, Carlisle
Sammy Weir, Salem
Brian Weathers, E. Poinsett County