Former Yellowjacket football players and the community of Boyd will get the opportunity to say thanks to longtime coach J.G. Cartwright Sunday.

The veteran coach will be honored during a retirement reception at Boyd High School Cafetorium from 2 to 4 p.m.

Cartwright, who has coached in the district since 1974, is retiring this month. He announced his intentions in January.

Cartwright served as the district’s head football coach for 35 seasons, compiling 274 wins in 401 games. His teams won 12 district titles and made three Class 2A state championship appearances, capturing crowns in 1983 and 2004.

Longtime assistant Brandon Hopkins will take over for Cartwright as the athletic director and head football coach in July.