It was just fine by him.
One might say the young man deserved some rest and relaxation, following the year he’s had, putting in overtime work on the gridiron, hardwood and the diamond.
The three-sport star won the Alabama’s Sports Writers Association’s Mr. Football Award after a senior season during which he led the Warriors to a perfect 15-0 record and a Class 4A state championship, throwing for nearly 3,000 years and 30 plus touchdowns while rushing over 1,110 yards and 20 scores.
Then he took his act to the court, guiding Cherokee County to a Class 4A, Area 12 runner-up finish and an appearance in the Northeast Regional tournament at JSU’s Pete Mathews Coliseum, where they fell to then top-ranked and defending state champion Anniston.
He also won The Star’s football and basketball area player of the year awards.
Now, Blanchard has completed the hat trick, having garnered The Star’s Area Baseball Player of the Year honor.
Blanchard hit a mean .524 to lead all all-state candidates at shortstop. He added seven home runs and 29 RBIs on 33 hits as the Warriors played just 21 games and failed to reach the state playoffs — in an Area that included powerhouses Jacksonville, Alexandria and Hokes Bluff.
While it’s debatable whether baseball is Blanchard’s best sport, it definitely seems to be where he might have the brightest future.
He originally signed a baseball scholarship with Mississippi State during football season, but later decommitted and signed with his father Fran’s alma mater, Jacksonville State.
He’s already enrolled with the Gamecocks and is set to play football and baseball, though he’ll likely take a redshirt in football next season.
And even though he’s received bigger honors, the area player of the year title still holds a big spot with Blanchard.
“It doesn’t matter to me if I got Area Player of the Year — in my household, it’s an honor,” said Blanchard, who was an honorable mention to the all-state baseball team.
“Especially, with all the great athletes around here. We had a great season but I’m still surprised.”
Blanchard’s teammate, second baseman Kaleb Kines, joins him on the first team.
Blanchard was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 41st round of the Major League Baseball draft but remains in contract negotiations with the team.
Earlier this week, The Star reported that Fran, who also serves as his son’s advisor, has given the organization until the end of the month to secure Coty’s signature.
If not, Coty has said he is content to continue his career in college, where he could see time handling the Gamecocks’ punting duties before taking to the diamond.
Coty said he had fond memories from his high school career in all three sports, despite missing the playoffs in baseball.
“I’m still surprised because I always see us as the underdog. Beating Jackson and winning a state championship in football, that was great.
“Then, getting to play in Pete Mathews Coliseum and that whole atmosphere at the regional (basketball) tournament at a nice school like JSU, I had a great a senior year.”
