After guiding James Wood football to a 7-4 record during a season where the team averaged 41.5 points per game, junior quarterback Owen Neal was named the Region 4D Offensive Player of the Year on Friday.
Neal was a dynamic force as both a passer and runner, completing 128 of his 199 passes for 2,633 yards, 27 passing touchdowns and five interceptions to go along with his 139 carries for 912 yards and 16 rushing touchdowns.
Neal was also named First Team All-Region for his performance, and was joined on the team by Wood junior wide receivers Aidric Yurish and Xavier Price.
Other area First Team selections on offense were senior offensive lineman Carson Green, senior running back Jamir Washington and senior wide receiver Will Yoder of Handley and senior center Jarrett See and junior offensive lineman Tate Martin of Sherando.
On defense, Warriors’ senior linebacker Pete Carter and junior defensive back Colt Crittenden and Judges’ defensive lineman Green, senior linebackers JoJo Johnson and Trent Gomez and senior defensive back Amari Brown were each named First Team selections.
The Second Team offense features Handley senior offensive lineman Jaiquan Offutt and senior tight end ZeQuon Williams, James Wood senior center Colton Knisley and Sherando senior quarterback Jacob Henry.
Defensive Second Team selections include Judges’ sophomore defensive lineman Jalen Washington and defensive back Yoder and Warriors’ senior defensive lineman Andrew Taylor and senior defensive back Donovan Blackwell.
Honorable Mention choices on offense are Sherando junior running back Jaylen Tasco-Murray, James Wood senior wide receiver Kaden McCullough and Millbrook junior wide receiver Rome Johnson.
Defensive players to receive an Honorable Mention selection are James Wood sophomore linebacker Jackson Ledford and defensive back McCullough, along with Millbrook senior linebacker Chris Bradford.
On special teams, Handley senior Gavin Williams is a First Team selection punt returner, Millbrook senior kicker Masen Savage made the Second Team and Handley’s Brown was named Honorable Mention as a kick returner.
Overall, Handley led all area teams with 13 All-Area selections.
George Washington senior defensive lineman Chris Law was named Defensive Player of the Year and Region 4D champion Jefferson Forest’s JT Crews was named Coach of the Year.