Photo by Brian Hoffman
The Virginia High School League Class 3 All-State Football Team was announced the day before Christmas and Lord Botetourt was well represented. The Cavaliers placed two on the first team and four more on the second team.
Two seniors from LB were named to the first team, Gavin Walker on the offensive line and Tristan Overbay at running back. For the season, Overbay rushed for 1,983 yards on 247 carries, an average of over eight yards per carry, and Walker helped open some big holes in the running game. Overbay had 27 rushing touchdowns in 13 games.
Senior Jackson Harless made second team All-State at center and three Cavaliers made the second team on defense, senior Seth Reiter at linebacker, senior Cody McConnaughey at all-purpose and junior Quinten Jones at defensive back.
Liberty Christian senior running back Gideon Davidson was named the Class 3 Offensive Player of the Year, and Thomas Jefferson senior defensive back Rashaud Cherry is the Class 3 Defensive Player of the Year. Kettle Run head coach Charlie Porterfield is the Class 3 Coach of the Year.
The All-State football team consists of 32 players. Only those players selected to the All-Region first-team are eligible for selection to the All-State team. The All-State selection committee comprises eight coaches, with two from each region.
First teamers from Lord Botetourt on the All-Region 3D team include Walker, Harless and Overbay on offense, and Overbay was named Region 3D Offensive Player of the Year. Walker was also named first team All-Region on defense along with Reiter, Jones and McConnaughey.
Junior lineman Taygen Sanchez-Huerta, running back Jones and senior kicker Dean Webb were all named to the All-Region 3D second team on offense. Second team defensive selections were junior Aaden Thomas at linebacker and junior Triston Graves at defensive back. Honorable mention went to junior Angel Rigney at all-purpose, junior Eric Irons at kick returner and Webb at punter.
On the All-Blue Ridge District team, Walker was named the Defensive Player of the Year and shared honors with William Byrd’s Maurice Burnette for Most Valuable Defensive Lineman. He was also one of three who shared honors for Most Valuable Offensive Lineman.
First teamers from LB on the All-BRD offensive team include Walker, Harless, Overbay and Webb. On defense, first teamers are Walker, Reiter, McConnaughey, Graves and Jones.
Second team Cavaliers on offense are McConnaughey at receiver and Jones at running back. Thomas made the second team on defense.
