This edition of top performers features many of the usual suspects, as well as a slew of talented newcomers from the Roanoke/Lynchburg area. Let's take a closer look at this week's gridiron heroes from the 434 to the 540.
Player of the Week: Isaac Johnston (Quarterback, Blacksburg):
Johnston has been a regular on this list for the past two years, but this is first time taking home the top prize. The Bruins are never dead as long as Johnston is under center, and the senior signal-caller proved that once again this past Thursday. Trailing 16-0 early, Johnston tossed five touchdown passes to help Blacksburg walk away with a 51-37 triumph over Hidden Valley. The senior completed 20 of 36 passes for 286 yards, while helping the Bruins outscore the Titans 21-0 in the fourth quarter.
Other Impact Players:
Reece Watson (Quarterback, William Byrd):
Asking a backup quarterback to come in and lead his team in a road district game is hard enough, but asking him to win the game might be a bit too much. Well, not for William Byrd's Reece Watson. With his team trailing by seven points late in the fourth quarter, the junior scampered 41 yards for a breakaway touchdown, to pull the Terriers to within one. Watson rushed for 110 yards off of just nine carries in Byrd's 32-31 triumph over the Golden Eagles.
Larry Basham (Running back, William Byrd):
While Watson pulled the Terriers to within one, head coach Jeff Highfill turned to Basham to help bring home a win on a two-point conversion. After falling short on a go-ahead two-point attempt two weeks prior, Basham delivered this time around. The super sophomore took a direct snap and raced into the end zone to give William Byrd the lead for good. Basham rushed for 228 yards off of 28 carries.
Xavier Willis (Linebacker, Lord Botetourt):
Willis made a living in the Rockbirdge County backfield on Thursday night. The junior 'backer tallied four sacks and four tackles for a loss in Botetourt's 55-0 victory over the Wildcats.
Brian Mann (Running back, Giles County):
Mann has delivered for Giles County throughout his career, and Thursday's 35-24 win over Galax was no exception. The senior rushed for 185 yards and three touchdowns, while tossing an additional TD.
Dylan Onuffer (Quarterback, Brookville):
Though he did not have a great night punting the ball, Onuffer certainly made up for it with his ability to get the ball to his wide receivers. Onuffer piled up 107 of his 173 of his yards in the second half of the Bees' 42-20 win over district-rival Rustburg. The senior signal-caller threw three touchdown passes to help Brookville pull away in the final two quarters.
Navy Jones and Cameron Miller-Trent (Running backs, Jefferson Forest):
It was another week and another dominating performance for the Jefferson Forest rushing attack. Jones needed just nine carries to reach 144 yards, and Miller-Trent added 130 to help lead the Cavaliers to a 56-19 victory over Heritage.
Keshon Turner (Quarterback, Amherst):
Turner helped engineer quite an offensive outing for the Lancers. The sophomore QB competed just three passes, but each of them went for touchdowns. Turner totaled 126 yards through the air in Amherst's 70-38 win over Liberty.
Jerry Page (Running back, Amherst ):
Just about everyone in a Lancer uniform scored a touchdown in Thursday's win, but Page was the catalyst on offense. The productive 'back rushed for a game-high 173 yards off of 20 carries in Amherst's blowout win.
Brock Porter (Quarterback, Liberty):
Though his team did not get the win, Porter displayed his skills on the ground and through the air in Liberty's loss to Amherst. Porter completed seven of 13 passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns. The dynamic QB also rushed for 59 yards, and two additional scores.
Devin Medley (Running back, Harrisonburg):
Medley was quite the closer in Harrisonburg's 29-25 thrilling win over Waynesboro. In addition to rushing for 154 yards and one touchdown, the senior tossed a 68-yard halfback-pass to give the Blue Streaks a four-point lead in the fourth quarter. Looking to ice the game for his team, Medley carried the ball ten times, and converted three fourth down attempts, to help Harrisonburg snap its two-game losing streak.
Player of the Week: Isaac Johnston (Quarterback, Blacksburg):
Johnston has been a regular on this list for the past two years, but this is first time taking home the top prize. The Bruins are never dead as long as Johnston is under center, and the senior signal-caller proved that once again this past Thursday. Trailing 16-0 early, Johnston tossed five touchdown passes to help Blacksburg walk away with a 51-37 triumph over Hidden Valley. The senior completed 20 of 36 passes for 286 yards, while helping the Bruins outscore the Titans 21-0 in the fourth quarter.
Other Impact Players:
Reece Watson (Quarterback, William Byrd):
Asking a backup quarterback to come in and lead his team in a road district game is hard enough, but asking him to win the game might be a bit too much. Well, not for William Byrd's Reece Watson. With his team trailing by seven points late in the fourth quarter, the junior scampered 41 yards for a breakaway touchdown, to pull the Terriers to within one. Watson rushed for 110 yards off of just nine carries in Byrd's 32-31 triumph over the Golden Eagles.
Larry Basham (Running back, William Byrd):
While Watson pulled the Terriers to within one, head coach Jeff Highfill turned to Basham to help bring home a win on a two-point conversion. After falling short on a go-ahead two-point attempt two weeks prior, Basham delivered this time around. The super sophomore took a direct snap and raced into the end zone to give William Byrd the lead for good. Basham rushed for 228 yards off of 28 carries.
Xavier Willis (Linebacker, Lord Botetourt):
Willis made a living in the Rockbirdge County backfield on Thursday night. The junior 'backer tallied four sacks and four tackles for a loss in Botetourt's 55-0 victory over the Wildcats.
Brian Mann (Running back, Giles County):
Mann has delivered for Giles County throughout his career, and Thursday's 35-24 win over Galax was no exception. The senior rushed for 185 yards and three touchdowns, while tossing an additional TD.
Dylan Onuffer (Quarterback, Brookville):
Though he did not have a great night punting the ball, Onuffer certainly made up for it with his ability to get the ball to his wide receivers. Onuffer piled up 107 of his 173 of his yards in the second half of the Bees' 42-20 win over district-rival Rustburg. The senior signal-caller threw three touchdown passes to help Brookville pull away in the final two quarters.
Navy Jones and Cameron Miller-Trent (Running backs, Jefferson Forest):
It was another week and another dominating performance for the Jefferson Forest rushing attack. Jones needed just nine carries to reach 144 yards, and Miller-Trent added 130 to help lead the Cavaliers to a 56-19 victory over Heritage.
Keshon Turner (Quarterback, Amherst):
Turner helped engineer quite an offensive outing for the Lancers. The sophomore QB competed just three passes, but each of them went for touchdowns. Turner totaled 126 yards through the air in Amherst's 70-38 win over Liberty.
Jerry Page (Running back, Amherst ):
Just about everyone in a Lancer uniform scored a touchdown in Thursday's win, but Page was the catalyst on offense. The productive 'back rushed for a game-high 173 yards off of 20 carries in Amherst's blowout win.
Brock Porter (Quarterback, Liberty):
Though his team did not get the win, Porter displayed his skills on the ground and through the air in Liberty's loss to Amherst. Porter completed seven of 13 passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns. The dynamic QB also rushed for 59 yards, and two additional scores.
Devin Medley (Running back, Harrisonburg):
Medley was quite the closer in Harrisonburg's 29-25 thrilling win over Waynesboro. In addition to rushing for 154 yards and one touchdown, the senior tossed a 68-yard halfback-pass to give the Blue Streaks a four-point lead in the fourth quarter. Looking to ice the game for his team, Medley carried the ball ten times, and converted three fourth down attempts, to help Harrisonburg snap its two-game losing streak.
