Handley senior linebacker JoJo Johnson was named the Defensive Player of the Year and James Wood junior quarterback Owen Neal was selected as the Offensive Player of the Year for Class 4 to highlight the All-Northwestern District football team selections released on Wednesday.
Handley coach Jake Smith was named the Class 4 Coach of the Year after leading the Judges to a 9-1 record overall and a 4-0 mark against Class 4 district opponents.
Johnson repeats as Defensive Player of the Year. This season, Johnson leads the Judges with 78 tackles. He has 35 solo tackles, 13.5 for a loss, 2.5 sacks, four pass breakups and two forced fumbles.
Neal leads the area in total yards and touchdowns. He’s completed 105 of 170 passes for 2,281 yards, 23 touchdowns and four interceptions, and he’s run for 874 yards and 15 touchdowns on 132 carries.
Both Handley (Saturday at home vs. Liberty) and James Wood (Friday at Sherando) will participate in the Region 4D quarterfinals.
Joining Johnson on the First Team Defense are Handley seniors Carson Green (defensive lineman), Trent Gomez (linebacker) and Will Yoder and Amari Brown (defensive backs); Sherando defensive linemen Evan Combs (sophomore) and Andrew Taylor (senior), junior linebackers Pete Carter and Chase Dibert, senior defensive back Donavan Blackwell, senior punter Jack Ogle and senior Colt Crittenden (all-purpose); James Wood junior defensive lineman Heston LaRue, sophomore linebacker Jackson Ledford, senior defensive back Kaden McCullough and senior punter Aidan Bell; and Millbrook junior defensive lineman Parker Edwards and senior linebacker Chris Bradford.
Joining Neal on the First Team Offense are James Wood junior wide receiver Aidric Yurish; Handley offensive linemen Green and senior Jaiquan Offutt, senior running back Jamir Washington and Yoder at wide receiver; Sherando senior center Jarrett See, junior offensive lineman Tate Martin and junior running back Jaylen-Tasco Murray; and Millbrook junior wide receiver Rome Johnson and senior kicker Masen Savage.
Local defensive Second Team selections are Handley sophomore defensive lineman Jalen Washington and Zy’Air Ford and senior defensive back Isaiah Baxter; Sherando senior punt returner Asher Morrow; James Wood junior linebacker Logan Lafollette; and Millbrook senior defensive back Mason Turner.
Local offensive Second Team selections are Handley junior quarterback Duncan Hensler, senior tight end ZeQuon Williams and Brown at kick returner; Sherando senior quarterback Jacob Henry, sophomore offensive lineman Jesse Robinson, senior wide receiver Sean Benton and senior tight end Treyvonne Washington; and James Wood junior offensive lineman Lane Herring, wide receivers Xavier Price (junior) and McCullough, Bell at kicker and McCullough at kick returner.
In Class 3, Skyline junior running back Zayden Burks (Offensive) and Kettle Run senior defensive back Colton Lubbe (Defensive) earned the Player of the Year awards, and the Cougars’ Delmar Christian earned Coach of the Year honors. Kettle Run had the district’s best record at 9-1 and went 6-0 against Class 3 schools.
Each First Team had 32 selections. The Second Team Defense had 30 selections and the Second Team Offense had 26 selections.