Nomination Year: 2022

Nominated By: Daniel Strong

Nomination Category: Athletes and Coaches

Sport: Football

Years Participated: 1981-1984

Career Summary: 

A 1985 graduate of Celina High School, Todd Upton was a starting offensive lineman and linebacker for Celina HIgh School during his junior and senior years, who achieved All-State status, was the McDonald’s TACA Player of the Year, and received interest from Tennessee Tech, Austin Peay, and MTSU to play at the next level.  Defensively he combined his 6’2” 220-pound size with tremendous athleticism and speed to be a terror for opponents, and from his position at guard he helped paved the way for legendary backs like Jimmy “Crank” Hull, Darryl and DeWayne Reecer, Craig Ogletree, and Kevin Watson—who are all Clay County Sports Hall of Fame members. 

Upton rotated onto the field during his first two years as a Bulldog.  His freshman year in 1981 was the last with Harold Watson as the head coach. After a 9-2 season, Watson left. Russell Richardson then took over the program, and Upton’s role grew his sophomore year in 1982—where he played a large part towards the Dawgs’ second-consecutive 9-2 record.

By his junior year in 1983, Upton found himself as a two-way starter on one of the greatest teams in Bulldog football history.  He helped Celina post an 8-3 record, win the District 5 Championship, and advance to their first-ever playoff appearance.  Upton made his mark by frequently pulling from his guard position to lead Hull, Ogletree, and Jeff Korth around the outside offensively, and he finished as the fourth-leading tackler on the team.  The season was highlighted by a matchup between AP #6 (7-1) Celina and #3 (7-1) Gordonsville, which was won by the Black and Gold 21-20 in overtime.

Upton’s senior year in the fall of 1984 saw coach Richardson replacing eight starters from the prior season.  However, returning to anchor both sides of the ball was Upton, and he led the team defensively with 79 tackles, five sacks, and three interceptions, while blocking for a backfield that turned out right at five yards per carry.  Upton’s best output that season came against Baxter, when he recorded 14 solo tackles and four sacks.  The team repeated as District 5 champs and returned to the playoffs for a second-consecutive season.  Upton was recognized for his individual greatness by being named the Tri-Lakes Conference Defensive MVP, the McDonald’s TACA Player of the Year, and All-State on the elite combined Class A-AA team, which included private schools.

Upton continued to be involved in Clay County sports after high school in both men’s softball and fishing.  He has been a part of many great softball teams that won various tournaments and was a multiple-time winner of the Woodmen Open Bass Tournament on Dale Hollow Lake.    

Nominator Comment:

“Todd Upton is one of the all-time great Bulldogs.  As an offensive lineman he is often forgotten about.  His teammates who benefited from his fine blocking have reaped the benefits of Hall of Fame status and it’s time that he does as well.  The only other lineman of his era that is in the Hall is Jeff “Wildman” Watson.  Both he and Upton were All-State players, and Todd should be alongside him in the Clay County Sports Hall of Fame.”