Marty Gordon
Tanner Evans was knocked out of Christiansburg High School’s season in the seventh football game of the year. Friday, he was named first-team All-River Ridge quarterback and defensive all-purpose player of the year.
Evans suffered a season ending knee injury and had surgery two weeks ago. He finished the season with 117 rushes for 1,208 yards with 22 touchdowns and passed 50 of 84 for 782 yards with 12 touchdowns and just one interception.
Evans was joined on the first team by offensive lineman Carter Stallard, defensive lineman Jaiden Edwards, defensive end Donovan Richardson, defensive back Brody Blount and linebacker JT Thompson.
Edwards was named to the second team as an offensive lineman, along with Thompson at receiver.
Christiansburg’s Xavier Joplin was named second-team kick returner along with Izaiah Cotto as offensive all-purpose and Matt Annis as running back.
Blacksburg’s Luke Poff was named second team receiver.
Christiansburg’s Josiah Ratley was named second team linebacker, and Cotto second team kick receiver. The Blue Demons placed three players on the offensive side of the ball honorable mention list (Richardson at tight end, Brody Blount at half back and Spener Conner at kicker). They were joined by second team defensive punter Matt Annis.
Blacksburg had five players on the honorable mention list: Thomas Boyd at linebacker, Javier Waldron as a receiver, James Rich at linebacker and Poff at defensive back.
Evans led a contingent of Christiansburg players named to the Region 3D team. Evans was the offensive and defensive all-purpose players of the year. Carter Stallard was named first team as an offensive lineman. JT Thompson was first team linebacker, and Jaiden Edwards first team defensive lineman.
Edwards was named to the second team as an offensive lineman, joining Donovan Richardson as tight end.
Richardson was also placed on the second team on the defensive side of the ball. He was joined by Josiah Ratley at linebacker, Brody Blount at defensive back and Izaiah Cotto as punt returner.
