Area football athletes rule postseason superlatives

by Kelley Pearson, Sports Editor
Central’s C.J. Crabtree. PHOTO BY KELLEY PEARSON
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In a season that saw all local football teams advance to the playoffs, it is no surprise that representatives from those teams received recognition on the Mountain 7 and Cumberland all-district teams.

Union senior Mason Polier was named player of the year for his dominance on both sides of the ball. Ridgeview junior Trenton Adkins had a banner year earning the offensive player of the year designation. Polier also received defensive player of the year and defensive back of the year as well as being named first team, all district on offense as a full back and on defense as a linebacker. Adkins was also named offensive back of the year as well as being named first team, all district on offense as a running back and kick returner and second team, all district as a punt returner.

Union and Ridgeview’s head coaches Travis Turner and Rick Mullins shared coach of the year honors for the Mountain 7.

The Bears’ Trevor Wagner shared offensive lineman of the year honors with Major Cook of Abingdon as Tanner Jervis shared defensive lineman of the year with Dylan Hale of Abingdon.

Players receiving first team, all district honors are: Ridgeview’s quarterback Nick Phillips, wide receiver Timmy Hess, offensive lineman Lucas Deel, defensive lineman Caden Gibson, linebacker Seth Scarbrough, linebacker Alijah Sproles, and defensive back Cannon Hill; Central’s running back C.J. Crabtree, wide receiver Ben Brickey, center T.J. Miller, offensive utility player and defensive back Ethan Mullins, defensive lineman Daniel Hawkins and linebacker Logan Mullins; Union’s wide receiver and defensive back Antwun Jenkins.

Players receiving second team, all district honors are: Ridgeview’s wide receiver Brandon Beavers, offensive lineman Andrew Edwards, kicker Landon Knepp, defensive lineman Shane Deel, defensive end Chase Salyers and linebacker Derrick Mullins; Central’s running back Noah Bolling, tight end and linebacker Tyson Tester and defensive lineman Devin Dingus; Union’s offensive lineman Carson Ray, defensive lineman Gavin Perry, linebacker C.J. Jones, defensive back Daemai Lester and defensive back Alex Rasnick.

Players receiving an honorable mention are: Central’s Matthew Boggs, Brandon Hobbs, Tanner Hensley, Austin Eldridge, Maddox Reynolds, Matthew Peters and Brady Sturgill; Ridgeview’s T.W. Robinson, Joey Yates, Alijah Sproles (offense), Koda Counts, Zander Boggs and Josh Boyd; Union’s Malachi Jenkins, Bryce Guerrant, Trey Smith, Ethan Church, Zack Hall, Dale Stidham, Ethan Mabe and Brody Gibson.

In the Cumberland District, the Raiders and the Spartans reigned supreme. Eastside’s Grayson Whited was named offensive player of the year and Burton’s Mikey Culbertson was named defensive player of the year. Burton’s Esau Teasley was named offensive back of the year and Dauntay Woods was named offensive lineman of the year. Eastside’s Evan Bellamy was named defensive back of the year and the Burton coaching staff was named coaching staff of the year.

Players receiving first team, all district honors are: Burton’s center Canaan Stacy-Lawson, offensive guard Kaleb Mink, tackle Dauntay Woods, wide receiver and kickoff returner Esau Teasley, quarterback Jaymen Buchanan, running back and linebacker Najee Steele, defensive linemen Austin Jones and Caleb McCurdy and linebacker and fullback Mikey Culbertson; Eastside’s offensive guard Jordan Sexton, offensive tackle and defensive lineman Brayden Mullins, quarterback and defensive back Will Stansberry, place kicker Timmy Hill, offensive utility player and defensive back Grayson Whited, defensive lineman Trevor Sanders and linebacker Evan Bellamy.

Players receiving second team, all district honors are: Burton’s offensive tackle and defensive end Tyler Spriggs, wide receiver Elijah Lovell and Tyrell Ingram, defensive end Adran Smith, linebacker Xadrian Taybron, defensive backs Ethan Lindsey, Trey Keys and Jaymen Buchanan; Eastside’s center Aaron Duty, offensive guard Timmy Hill, tight end Jessie Gibson, running backs Nick Raymond and Garrett Whited, kickoff returner Grayson Whited, defensive end Ethan Hill, defensive linemen Blake Jones and Nick Hayes, linebacker Bryson Sheppard and defensive utility player Nick Raymnond.

Players receiving an honorable mention are: Burton’s place kicker Caleb McCurdy, linebackers Kaleb Mink, Jayquan Frazier, Seth Huffman and Camden Kennedy; Eastside’s defensive back Jordan Gray.