Marty Gordon
NRVsports@ourvalley.org
Blacksburg and Radford reeled in postseason honors announced Thursday. Blacksburg High School QB Grant Johnston was the River Ridge District offensive player of the year, while linebacker Drew Babcock was named the district’s defensive player of the year. Blacksburg’s Eddie Sloss was the River Ridge coach of the year.
Christiansburg’s Xavier Wright was named to the River Ridge offensive and defensive line.
Blacksburg’s Brian Mitchell was named the River Ridge punt returner and defensive all-purpose honor.
Defensive lineman Tim Sawyers also collected another Blacksburg honor along with teammates Cole Epperley and Drew Babcock as linebackers.
Luke Goforth added to the Blacksburg total with a first team defensive back spot.
On offense, Johnston was recognized as quarterback with running back Brian Mitchell and receivers, Thomas Coffey and Karim Mohamed. Tiquest Terry was named to the first team as a kick returner and offense all-purpose player.
Lineman Jacob Lucas joined the Blacksburg tally.
The second team included Blacksburg’s Chas Shelor as kicker, Donald Norris at defensive end and Luke Goforth as punter. Christiansburg’s Caleb Henley (receiver), Matson Stanley (linebacker) and MJ Hunter (punt returner) were also named to the second team.
Auburn placed one player on the Mt. Empire District first team offense. Sophomore center Drew French received the honor. Second team offense honors were given to his teammates: Drew Hill (offensive lineman), Carter Brockman (running back and kicker) and Triston Perry (running back). Hill and Perry were also named to the second team defensive unit.
Radford High School running back P.J. Prioleau was named to the first team all-Three Rivers District offensive unit but was locked out of the player of the year honors, being named the first team at running back. Although, he was named the regions offensive player of year.
The first team all-TRD offense included: linemen Andrew Olverson and Ben Cox, and receiver Trace Shepherd. Conner Lytton was first team kicker, and Justice Marshall offense all-purpose.
Prioleau was named the Three River District’s defensive all-purpose player and punt returner. Other Bobcats named to the first team defense included: Jacob Alley (defensive lineman), Ethan Hoffman (defensive end), Justice Marshall and Dillon White (both at linebacker), and Jaylin Taylor and Trace Shepherd at defensive back.
Again, Prioleau was named the 2C offensive player of year, while Matthew Saunders was the region’s coach of the year. Prioleau was joined on the first team offensive squad by: linemen Ben Cox and Andrew Olverson and kicker Conner Lytton.
Prioleau was also named the first team all-region kicker returner and first team defense all-purpose, and Justice Marshall was first team all-purpose offense.
Radford’s lineman Jacob Alley was named to the first defensive squad along with defensive back Trace Shepherd, linebacker Justice Marshall and defensive end Ethan Hoffman.
Second team honorees for Radford were: linebacker Dillon Whitt, defensive back and receiver Trace Shepherd, and offensive lineman Dillon Whitt.
Auburn’s Drew French was named the first-team Region 1C first team as a lineman, while teammate Drew Hill was first team defensive linebacker. Hill was also second team offensive lineman along with running back Triston Perry who was also second team defensive back.
Christiansburg High School picked up one first team all-region 3D with Xavier Wright at both offensive and defensive lineman. Matson Stanley was first-team linebacker.
Second teamers for 3D included: receiver Caleb Henley, linebacker Rally Williams, defensive end Mac Padgett and punt returner MJ Hunter.
