All-Area Football First Team Defense

Breiden Lowery

Sherando — Senior

Linebacker

Ranked 3rd in area with 148 tackles (85 solo, 13 for loss) and had 7 forced fumbles, 5 fumble recoveries, 4 sacks and 2 interceptions. Region 4D and Northwestern District First Team. Winchester Star Defensive Player of the Year.

Jo-Jo Johnson

Handley — Junior

Linebacker

Ranked 4th in area with 136 tackles (68 solo, 27 for loss) and had 3 sacks and 2 forced fumbles. Class 4 State Second Team. Region 4D and Northwestern District Defensive Player of the Year and First Team.

James Walters

Sherando — Senior

Linebacker

Ranked 2nd in area in tackles with 150 (80 solo, 12 for loss), and had 3 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles and 2 sacks. Class 4 State, Region 4D and Northwestern District First Team.

Carson Chinn

Clarke County — Senior

Linebacker

Ranked 1st in area with 152 tackles (61 solo, 8 for loss) and had 3 interceptions and 2 forced fumbles. Class 2 State, Region 2B and Bull Run District First Team.

Vincent Salvati

James Wood — Senior

Linebacker

Ranked 5th in area with 125 tackles (91 solo, 3 for loss) and had 2 forced fumbles. Region 4D Second Team and Northwestern District First Team.

Saia Tuivailala

Clarke County — Senior

Defensive line

The end ranked 7th in area in tackles with 97 (33 solo) and 4th in sacks (5.5). Batted 6 passes, had 6 QB hurries and caused 3 fumbles. Class 2 All-State First Team. Region 2B and Bull Run District Defensive Player of the Year and First Team.

Kaleb Nowlin

Sherando — Senior

Defensive line

The end ranked 9th in area in tackles with 93 (54 solo, 22 for loss) and tied for area-lead in sacks (8.5). Had 2 forced fumbles and 2 interceptions. Region 4D and Northwestern District First Team.

Jordyn Sweetser

James Wood — Senior

Defensive line

The end had 62 tackles (49 solo, 18 for loss) and tied for area lead with 8.5 sacks. Had 2 fumble recoveries and 4 forced fumbles.

Hunter Ratchford

Sherando — Senior

Defensive line

The tackle had 58 tackles (25 solo). Region 4D Second Team and Northwestern District First Team.

Hayden LaFever

Sherando — Senior

Defensive back

The safety had 53 tackles (35 solo, 6 for loss), 3 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles and 1 interception. Region 4D and Northwestern District Second Team.

Gavin Williams

Handley — Junior

Defensive back

The safety had 30 tackles (10 solo), 5 pass breakups and 3 interceptions. Region 4D and Northwestern District Second Team.

Tucker LaFever

Sherando — Senior

Defensive back

The safety had 62 tackles (42 solo), 6 pass breakups and 1 interception. Region 4D and Northwestern District First Team.

Tanner Sipe

Clarke County — Senior

Defensive back

The cornerback had 37 tackles (19 solo) and 3 interceptions. Region 2B and Bull Run District First Team.

Hassan Akanbi

Handley — Senior

Punt returner

Akanbi had five returns for 66 yards (a 13.2 average) and had a 37-yard return for a TD against Brentsville. Honorable Mention Region 4D and Northwestern District.

Micah Carlson

Sherando — Senior

Punter

Carlson led area in attempts (25), yards (1,055) and average (42.2). Region 4D and Northwestern District Second Team.