by Lisa Hinton-Valdrighi
Following its 19-16 upset of Essex in the Region 1A championship, Rappahannock snagged two of the top three regional honors with senior defensive back C.J. Kelly chosen as the offensive player of the year and William West named by his peers as the coach of the year.
Essex, which rode an unblemished 12-0 record into the region final, had senior linebacker Xzayviia Bundy named the defensive player of the year.
Essex and Rappahannock filled the most spots on the region first teams with the Trojans and Raiders both naming five to the offensive first team and four to the second. Middlesex filled a spot on the offensive first team and named four to the defensive first team.
First team offensive selections included Essex High seniors Tristan Marshall (C), Taivian Holmes (OL), Daniel Walker (OL) and Jaden Holmes (RB) and sophomore Demetrius Stewart (RB); Rappahannock seniors Kelly (all-purpose), Carter Sullivan (TE), Kenneth Madison (RB) and Remmington Houck (OL) and junior Christian Destin (WR); Northampton seniors Khaidn Davis (KR) and Sebastian Mayorga (K) and junior Palmer Hubbard (OL); Northumberland senior Tyreek Lundy (QB) and junior Lyndon Williams (WR); and Middlesex junior Davonta Griffin (WR).
The first team defense included Essex High senior Bundy (LB), junior Jahkir Shelton (DL) and sophomores Jodecee Cox (DL) and Markeise Braxton (DB); Rappahannock seniors Carter Sullivan (DL), Chase Self (LB), Kevin Fauntleroy (LB) and Kelly (DB); Middlesex juniors Jakub Bowen (all purpose), Davonta Griffin (punt returner), Jacob Hatton (P) and Jakub Bowen (LB); Northampton seniors Jeremiah White (DB), Khaidn Davis (LB) and Jordan Delk (DL); and Northumberland senior Lundy (DB).
Second team offense selections included….
