This week the All-Region 5B Football Team was announced and you can view this team here, All-Region 5B Football Team.

After coaching the Prince George Royals to their third ever playoff appearance in his final season along with their first ever back-to-back appearance, Coach Bruce Carroll has named Region 5B Coach of the Year! The Royals were 5-1 this season in the regular season with their only loss coming to Thomas Dale. In fact their only two losses of the season were to Thomas Dale and Highland Springs who are a combined 13-1! Coach Carroll goes out on top as this Spring season marked his last as he assumes the AD role and makes way for a new coach and new era this fall.

The Offensive Player of the Year is a no-brainer... Nigel James of Hermitage. This young man was a beast running the rock this season in leading the Panthers to a 6-0 regular season. In his final game as a Panther the senior running back scored all 4 Hermitage touchdowns! In fact, in 7 games the Panther RB amassed 1,474 yards rushing on 134 carries... for those doing the math that is an average of 11 yards per carry and 210 yards per game. James had no trouble finding the end zone as he did so 19 times!

The Defensive Player of the Year is without a doubt that beast at Highland Springs known as Kelvin Gilliam, Jr.. After a long offseason in which at one point he had intentions of not playing, the senior defensive end did return to the Springers and has had another monster season with 25 tackles, 5.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles! He also was key to four Springer shutouts this season and a defense that gave up just 47 points all season! Now he and the Springers are in the playoffs and one win from another state finals appearance, two wins from another state title.

Out of the 99 players named, 46 made the playoffs. Of course it would likely be more in a normal season but still not bad...

Highland Springs had 21 named All-Region and this was the most of any team. these 21 Springers are still playing as well.

Hermitage had 11 named All-region...

Manchester & Prince George each had 7 named All-Region...

I feel fortunate to say of these 99 players that were named All-Region I got to watch 83 of them this season between Clover Hill, Deep Run, Hermitage, Highland Springs, Manchester, Midlothian, Prince George and Varina.

Sadly many of these All-Region players we have seen for the last time...

Of the 99 players named All-Region, 65 are seniors and while it is a bit sad we have seen these guys for the last time, that does leave 34 underclassman we have to look forward to seeing this Fall.