Graves and Green receive top player honors; Johnson and Morrison named co-coaches of the year.
By HARRISON HAMLET
(MARTINSVILLE, Va.) – After a season of work, the Piedmont District honored local football players and coaches last week when the season-long all-district teams and awards were announced.
Wesley Graves (running back) of G.W.-Danville and Dorian Green (linebacker) of Magna Vista took home the top offensive and defensive player awards, respectively, while Brandon Johnson of Bassett and David Morrison of Patrick County shared the coach of the year award.
Johnson and Morrison both led programs with extended playoff droughts back into the postseason while posting a .500 or better regular season record.
Green was joined on the top All-District team by Magna Vista teammates Dryus Hairston (quarterback), Dallas Ayers (offensive line), Louis Taylor (running back and defensive back), Ty Grant (wide receiver), Takoma Kidd (defensive line), Dekavis Preston (defensive back) and Jacob Kerrick (punter), giving the Warriors nine slots on the first team, most of any school.
Taylor and Shawn Watlington (wide receiver and defensive back) of G.W.-Danville were the only players to receive first team honors on both sides of the ball.
Johnson coached Bassett players Will Belongia (offensive line), Freddi Lopez (kicker), Gabe Divers (defensive line), Austin McDaniel (defensive end) and Ty Cline (defensive all-purpose) to top honors.
Morrison coached Patrick County standouts Jess Edwards (offensive line), Dae’Shawn Penn (running back), Will Sprowl (offensive all-purpose) and Bryson Fulcher (linebacker) to top honors.
Finally, Martinsville’s Jahil Martin (kick returner) was the only Bulldog to receive a first team slot after leading the team in scoring in 2019.
The full list of honorees, including second team and honorable mentions, can be found below.
All-Piedmont District
Offensive Player of Year – Wesley Graves, G.W.-Danville
Defensive Player of Year – Dorian Green, Magna Vista
Co-Coaches of Year – Brandon Johnson (Bassett)/David Morrison (Patrick County)
First Team All-Piedmont District
Offense
Quarterback – Dryus Hairston, Magna Vista, Jr
Center – James Goode, Halifax, Sr
- Lineman – Will Belongia, Bassett, Jr
- Lineman – Tylee Myers, G.W.-Danville, Sr
- Lineman – Dallas Ayers, Magna Vista, Jr
- Lineman – Jess Edwards, Patrick County, Sr
Running Back – Wesley Graves, G.W.-Danville, Sr
Running Back – Louis Taylor, Magna Vista, Sr
Running Back – Dae’Shawn, Penn Patrick County, Jr
Receiver – Shawn Watlington, G.W.-Danville, Sr
Receiver – Traivius Chappell, Halifax, Sr
Receiver – Ty Grant, Magna Vista, Sr
Tight End – Brandon Davis, Halifax, Sr
Kicker – Freddi Lopez, Bassett, So
Kick Returner – Jahil Martin, Martinsville, Sr
- All-Purpose – Will Sprowl, Patrick County, Jr
Defense
- Lineman – Gabriel Divers, Bassett, So
- Lineman – Jalen Williamson, G.W.-Danville, Sr
- Lineman – Takoma Kidd, Magna Vista, Sr
Defensive End – Austin McDaniel, Bassett, Sr
Defensive End – Tucker Harris, Halifax, Jr
Linebacker – Shyhiem Watlington, G.W.-Danville, So
Linebacker – Brandon Davis, Halifax, Sr
Linebacker – Dorian Green, Magna Vista, Sr
Linebacker – Bryson Fulcher, Patrick County, Sr
Defensive Back – Shawn Watlington, G.W.-Danville, Sr
Defensive Back – Amonse Burwell, Halifax, Sr
Defensive Back – Dekavis Preston, Magna Vista, Jr
Defensive Back – Louis Taylor, Magna Vista, Sr
Punter – Jacob Kerrick, Magna Vista, Sr
Punt Returner – Shawn Watlington, G.W.-Danville, Sr
- All-Purpose – Ty Cline, Bassett, So
Second Team All-Piedmont District
Offense
Quarterback – Sha’Kobe Hairston, G.W.-Danville, Jr
Center – Max Roupe, Magna Vista, Sr
- Lineman – Malachi Hairston, Bassett, So
- Lineman – George Jackson, G.W.-Danville, Jr
- Lineman – Jonathan Pell, Patrick County, Jr
- Lineman – Freddie Arthur, Tunstall, Sr
Running Back – Kevon Smith, Bassett, Sr
Running Back – Jahil Martin, Martinsville, Sr
Running Back – Christian Mack, Halifax, Sr
Receiver – Zavion King, G.W.-Danville, Jr
Receiver – Will Blackwell, Tunstall, Sr
Receiver – Drew Santoemma, Magna Vista, Sr
Tight End – Shyeim Watlington, G.W.-Danville, So
Kicker – Daniel Deandrea, G.W.-Danville, Jr
Kick Returner – Taylor Johnson, Magna Vista, So
- All-Purpose – Kevon Smith, Bassett, Sr
Defense
- Lineman – Tylee Myers, G.W.-Danville, Sr
- Lineman – Ben Ramey, Martinsville, Jr
- Lineman – Carson Merriam, Patrick County, Jr
Defensive End – Jalen Strange, G.W.-Danville, Jr
Defensive End – Logan George, Magna Vista, Sr
Linebacker – Kevon Smith, Bassett, Sr
Linebacker – Ahmad Poole, G.W.-Danville, So
Linebacker – Trimon Holland, Magna Vista, Sr
Linebacker – Micheal Penn, Martinsville, Sr
Defensive Back – Jalen Martin, Bassett, Sr
Defensive Back – Dylan Hairfield Bassett Sr
Defensive Back – Jaylen Finney, Martinsville, Sr
Defensive Back – Kendrell McClary, G.W.-Danville, Sr
Punter – Andy Garcia, Martinsville, Fr
Punt Returner – Jahil Martin, Martinsville, Sr
- All-Purpose – Rion Martin, Magna Vista, So
Honorable Mention
Offense
Quarterback – Thomas Lee, HCHS
Center – Nate Hankins, BHS
Offensive Line – Gabriel Divers, BHS
Offensive Line – Tyler McDuffie, GWHS
Offensive Line – Jakavius Wimbush, MHS
Offensive Line – Josh Dalton, PCHS
Running Back – Willie Edmunds, GWHS
Running Back – William Davis, HCHS
Running Back – Carson Merriman, PCHS
Receiver – Demetruis Gill, BHS
Receiver – Jahil Martin MHS
Receiver – Ethan Broyles, THS
Tight End Bryson Fulcher, PCHS
Kicker – Andy Garcia, MHS
Kick Returner – Zylick Perkins, HCHS
Offense All-Purpose – Jamison Graves, THS
Defense
Defensive Line – Braxton High, THS
Defensive Line – Shylee Preston, BHS
Defensive Line – Taveion Coleman, HCHS
Defensive End – Jakobe Davis, GWHS
Defensive End – Zach Carter, HCHS
Linebacker – Dominic Gill, BHS
Linebacker – Zyon Wilson, HCHS
Linebacker – Jermont Meacham, MHS
Linebacker – Jess Edwards, PCHS
Linebacker – Collin Moore, THS
Defensive Back – Zyliek Perkins, HCHS
Defensive Back – Chris Drewery, PCHS
Defensive Back – Wyatt Argo, PCHS
Defensive Back – Damani Hairston, THS
Punter – Jaricous Hairston, BHS
Punt Returner – Damani Hairston, THS
Defense All-Purpose – Buck Long, THS
