All-Region Football Player of the Year: Taylor Mason, Jefferson Forest | High school

ALL STARS: Taylor Mason had enjoyed plenty of success – four championships (two district and two area) and two trips to the state tournament – ​​during his time at Jefferson Forest. Then came the pandemic, which cost Mason the junior season. So when the Cavs got the nod this year, the accomplishments of his first two years motivated his final high school tour. Mason wanted to help her teammates share similar experiences, she said. And she kept her promise, becoming co-captain and “the engine of our team”, according to coach Matt Newton. The central midfielder commanded the attack, powering JF’s unbeaten run throughout the regular season. The Cavs had 11 straight wins (all shutouts) before losing in the Region 4D Championship to end their season. With Mason’s technical skills, speed and passing ability – and a litany of athletes she could field in the attacking third of the field – JF controlled possession and limited opponents’ chances. Mason often drew his opponents’ best defenders and still finished with 12 goals and two assists. Labeled a “college-ready” player by fellow coach Todd Olsen (who coaches at EC Glass and Division III University of Lynchburg), Mason would continue her playing career at Division I Liberty.

WOMEN’S ALL AREAS FOOTBALL TEAM

ALL STARS: Started every game for Brookville and was a scoring threat with his solid shooting and technical ability. … Scored nine goals. … Will continue her playing career at Division II North Greenville.

THE SCHOOL: Christian freedom

ALL-STAR STUFF: Scored 11 goals and had 40+ shots on goal. …Also registered eight assists as midfield controller for LCA. … With an ability to work quickly and smartly in midfield, found an opportunity to continue her playing career at Liberty University.

ALL STARS: Had six goals and seven assists to help Jefferson Forest qualify for the 4D Region Championship game and finish with an 11-1 record, which included a perfect regular season.

ALL STARS: Led the Cavaliers with 19 goals to go with an assist. …Used her speed to get away and then finish shots, making her hard to defend. … Will play next level at Division I Longwood.

ALL STARS: Used his ball-handling skills to score the majority of Appomattox’s goals during the season, tallying 26 to go along with three assists. … Broke a school record with seven goals in a single game (against Altavista). … Was known as a leader who anchored the team that ended its season in the Region 2C Championship. … Named to the region’s first team.

ALL STARS: Was Glass’ most reliable option offensively, registering nine goals and seven assists. … Helped the Hilltoppers advance to the 4D Region Semi-Finals as one of four teams from the region to enter this round of a regional tournament.

ALL STARS: One of the region’s elite defenders who used her speed to stop her opponents’ best players. … With his ability to read the game and ability to tackle, closed offensive chances for Glass’ haters and helped the Hilltoppers to a 6-3 record.

ALL STARS: Part of a defense that didn’t allow a single goal in the regular season and conceded just two all year (in a 2-0 loss to Blacksburg in the region’s title game 4D). … Also scored a goal.

THE SCHOOL: Christian freedom

ALL STARS: Described as a ‘brick wall’ by his coach Jenice Bennett, but also used his ability to win battles for the ball in the air to keep opponents off the scoreboard. … Helped LCA go 8-4 and advance to Region 3C semifinals. … Scored twice.

ALL STARS: Known as the Director of Defense and a vocal leader. … Recorded 13 starts. … Named to the Region 2C first team.

ALL STARS: Another main contributor off the pitch and someone who led by example. … Started 13 games. … Earned a first-team nod from all regions.

ALL STARS: Have a nearly flawless year, recording 11 shutouts in the Cavaliers’ first 11 games. … Allowed just two goals for Blacksburg in the 4D Region Championship game to post a .167 goals-against-average in his freshman college season.

ALL STARS: One of Nelson’s captains who stood at the center of a young defence. … Kept games close and contributed to all five Governors shutouts by intercepting passes and clearing the ball in tight situations. … With his defense often started the break for Nelson, who finished 5-6 and advanced to the Region 2C quarter-finals. … Named to the All-Region Second Team.

ALL STARS: Newton’s side were dominant again, quickly making up for lost time last year when the pandemic scuttled the entire season. The Cavaliers made a tear throughout the regular season, getting lopsided results en route to another perfect record early in the playoffs. JF has posted 11 shutouts during that streak and has only faltered once during the season, losing in the 4D Region Championship 2-0 to Blacksburg. The loss ended the Cavs’ season and a streak of three straight regional titles and three consecutive trips to the state championship game, but they were still one of the last eight teams remaining in Class 4.