All-Area Football: First Team Defense

Carson Chinn

Clarke County — Junior

Linebacker

Led the area with 146 tackles, topping the 100 mark for his third straight season. Selected First Team All-Region 2B and All-Bull Run District.

Jamaal Nowlin

Sherando — Senior

Defensive lineman

Tied for the area lead with 9.5 sacks and recorded 65.5 tackles. Named Class 4 Northwestern District Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-Region 4D.

Jaishaun Offutt

Handley — Junior

Defensive lineman

Excellent run stopper also led Handley with 3.5 sacks. Selected First Team All-Region 4D and All-Class 4 Northwestern District.

Cole Purdy

Millbrook — Senior

Defensive lineman

Recorded 51 tackles and was second for the Pioneers with 3.0 sacks. Selected Second Team All-Region 4D and All-Class 4 Northwestern District.

Alofi Sake

Clarke County — Senior

Defensive lineman

Seventh in the area with 70 tackles and tied for third with 4.0 sacks. Selected First Team All-Bull Run District and Second Team All-Region 2B.

Kaleb Nowlin

Sherando — Junior

Defensive lineman

Tied for the area sack lead with 9.5 and also registered 59 tackles for the Warriors. Selected First Team All-Class 4 Northwestern District and Honorable Mention All-Region 4D.

Manno Lusca

Handley — Senior

Linebacker

Played a hybrid position for the Judges, recording 67 tackles. Selected First Team All-Region 4D and All-Class 4 Northwestern District.

Zach Smith

James Wood — Senior

Linebacker

Despite missing a full game and part of another, was second in the area with 113 tackles and picked off two passes. Selected First Team All-Class 4 Northwestern District and Second Team All-Region 4D.

Cohen Creswell

Millbrook — Senior

Linebacker

Led the Pioneers and was fourth in the area with 108 tackles and led his team with 3.5 sacks. Selected Second Team All-Class 4 Northwestern District and Honorable Mention All-Region 4D.

Will Booker

Clarke County — Senior

Defensive back

Lockdown corner also contributed 52 tackles. Selected First Team Class 2 All-State, All-Region 2B and All-Bull Run District.

Hayden LaFever

Sherando — Junior

Defensive back

Tied for second in the area with five interceptions, recorded 45.5 tackles and scored three defensive touchdowns. Selected First Team All-Class 4 Northwestern District and Second Team All-Region 4D.

Tanner Sipe

Clarke County — Junior

Defensive back

Helped the Eagles hold opponents to 40.5 receiving yards per game. Had 30 tackles and one interception. Selected First Team All-Region 2B and All-Bull Run District.

Justin Gwinner

James Wood — Junior

Defensive back

Led the area with six interceptions. Selected Second Team All-Class 4 Northwestern District and Honorable Mention All-Region 4D.

Micah Carlson

Sherando — Junior

Punter

Led the area with a 40.4 average. Selected First Team All-Class 4 Northwestern District and Second Team All-Region 4D.

Wyatt Palmer

Clarke County — Junior

Punt returner

Led the area with a 17.0 average. Selected Second Team All-Region 2B and All-Bull Run District.