Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

KATV, Channel 7 sports anchor Steve Sullivan enjoys dubbing Arkansas high school hotshots, his "Friday Night Heroes," with monikers such as Michael "Do or" Dyer, or Bas'il "The Great" Shabazz. Early in Thursday night's telecast of the annual Landers Award, which KATV presents to the state's top prep football player, Sullivan asked Landers finalist Fredi Knighten which of Sully's created nicknames he preferred: "Lightnin'" Fredi Knighten or "Fast" Fredi.

"Oh, it really doesn't matter," said the reserved Knighten, Pulaski Academy's record-breaking quarterback of the past two seasons.

Call him Landers Award winner Fredi Knighten now.

Landers was the pick over 13 other weekly finalists in the 12th presentation of the award, which Knighten summed up best with his own description afterward: "It's amazing. This is like he Heisman Trophy for Arkansas football."

He added, "It's great, but I couldn't have done it without my teammates, my family, my coaches, the fans, everybody inside PA and outside of PA who supported me and our team. Being able to do this is awesome, it's great and my senior year couldn't have ended any more perfectly."

The award for Knighten was the cherry on top of a brilliant season in which the quarterback led Pulaski Academy to its first undefeated season, 14-0, and its third state title, the Class 4A championship. Along the way, the Bruins' closest contest was a 10-point win over Class 6A runner-up Lake Hamilton.

Results of the voting by a select group of area writers and broadcasters weren't announced, but it's likely that Knighten's closest competitor for the award was Strong's do-it-all athlete Kenneth Dixon, who led his team to the Class 2A state championship and topped 3,000 yards rushing. He did that mostly operating from the quarterback position, posting 300-yard rushing games against the likes of physical Junction City, though Dixon's a prototype I-back who figures to have a good college career. The hard-hitting, muscular Dixon, who reportedly has 4.6 speed in the 40-yard dash, could also make a solid college safety.

As of now, Dixon is headed to Louisiana Tech, where he has been committed to sign a national letter of intent since the fall. Speculation, however, is that Arkansas now may offer Dixon in the run-up to the Feb. 1 national signing date.

Knighten also could end up at Louisiana Tech, but Arkansas State is now a serious player for his services after hiring Gus Malzahn as head coach last month. Both programs have offered scholarships to Knighten, who will take an official visit to Jonesboro this weekend.

"[Arkansas State was] kind of behind Louisiana Tech, but now they're both dead even," Knighten said. "I think it's awesome. I love Coach Malzahn, he's a great guy. He's happy, he says he's excited to be there and is going to do some great things with us. I'm excited to see how it's going to be when I go up there this weekend ... If I like it up there, we'll take the next step."

Knighten's grandparents are from Louisiana and want him to take a visit to Louisiana Tech as well, he said. His final decision likely won't come until Signing Day.

Camden Fairview speedster Derek Keaton, a Landers finalist who committed to Kansas before head coach Turner Gill was fired, also may be looking for a new destination now, his head coach, Buck James, said. Arkansas State is a possibility.