2024 was a year of unusual suspects in Southwest Virginia high school football. Teams like Northside, Floyd County and Staunton River, which hadn鈥檛 achieved much success in recent years, were reignited and renewed, while squads like William Fleming, William Byrd and Glenvar carried the momentum of last season鈥檚 triumphs into this season.
Several squads also made program history. Grayson County reached its first-ever state championship game, while Alleghany recorded its first undefeated regular season. And of course, the perennial powerhouses, such as Salem, North Cross and Lord Botetourt had their successes as well.
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Presented here is The 色多多 2024 All-Timesland Football Team, showcasing the student-athletes who were instrumental parts of their squads this season and churned out electric performances on the gridiron this fall.
Coach of the Year: Nick Leftwich, William Fleming
William Fleming head coach Nick Leftwich gets the crowd to cheer beating Salem on Sept. 13 at Salem Stadium.
Taking over a program that had won three playoff games in its previous 19 seasons, Leftwich transformed the Colonels into one, if not the best, football teams in the Timesland area this season.
In Leftwich鈥檚 second season, he led William Fleming to an 11-2 record, its best mark since 1997, and reached the Region 5C championship for the second straight season, falling by three points to L.C. Bird. The Colonels started 9-0 for the first time in 27 years, and beat opponents by an average of 33 points.
Notable wins include the Colonels鈥 first victory over Salem in 22 years, its first victory over Lord Botetourt in 18 years and its first regular-season win over rival Patrick Henry in a decade, all en route to earning the No. 1 seed in the Region 5C playoffs.
In the now rarely used I-formation offense Leftwich installed, Fleming used a dynamic offense to average over 37 points per game, while capitalizing on a multi-threat defense that allowed just 10 points per contest and recorded four shutouts.
2024 will go down as one of the most historic seasons for the Colonels in their 90-year history, orchestrated by Leftwich.
Player of the Year: Malachi Coleman, William Fleming
William Fleming鈥檚 Malachi Coleman runs for a 63-yard touchdown during an Oct. 25 win over Lord Botetourt in 色多多.
When Coleman caught fire this season, which didn鈥檛 take much, he was darn near impossible to slow down.
A blistering fast running back with one of the best 55-meter dash times in the entire country, the 5-foot-10, 185-pound Syracuse signee racked up yards in a hurry to help the Colonels reach new heights in his senior season. He finished with 2,295 yards on 210 carries, averaging over 176 yards per game and an impressive 10.9 yards per carry. He recorded a trio of 200-yard performances, including a monstrous 274-yard outing against Salem.
Finding the end zone was also no problem as Coleman amassed 29 touchdowns, averaging 2.2 per game. Nearly 14% of his carries went for scores. He also caught a couple passes out of the backfield.
Coleman was named Blue Ridge District Offensive Player of the Year and earned a first team all-state selection for the second straight season. He was an All-Timesland first team selection last year, increasing his rushing total by over 500 yards and touchdown total by over 10.
First Team
Offense
Quarterback: Brody Dawyot, Glenvar
Glenvar quarterback Brody Dawyot rolls out during an Oct. 8 game against Radford.
The 6-foot-5 junior led the Highlanders to their first region championship in a decade, snapping a skid of four straight title game losses. He completed 197 of 331 passes, a 60% rate, for 2,964 yards with 49 touchdowns against eight interceptions. He added 700 rushing yards, averaging 50 yards per game, and another 12 touchdowns, giving him over 3,600 scrimmage yards and 61 total touchdowns.
A Sizzlin鈥 Sophomore last year, Dawyot was named Class 2 Offensive Player of the Year. He also tallied a school-record 18 sacks at defensive end and totaled 94 tackles, including 37 for loss, and averaged 40 yards as Glenvar鈥檚 punter.
Running Back: Josiah Persinger, Salem
Salem鈥檚 Josiah Persinger carries the ball during a Sept. 27 game against Patrick Henry in 色多多.
The second straight All-Timesland first team selection for a Spartans running back, Persinger rushed for 1,570 yards on 164 carries, averaging over 120 yards per game, and scored 22 touchdowns as part of a one-two punch that led Salem to the Region 4D championship game.
The James Madison commit also caught two touchdown passes and tallied 12 receptions for 152 yards. He earned first team all-state selections at both running back and defense.
Running Back: Ethan Dukes, Magna Vista
Magna Vista running back Ethan Dukes runs for the game-winning touchdown in the Region 3D quarterfinals against Christiansburg in Ridgeway.
The junior rushed for 1,173 yards on 139 carries and scored 20 touchdowns to help the Warriors reach the Region 3D semifinals and record their third straight season with at least seven wins.
Dukes, who has an offer from Marshall, averaged over 97 yards per game and 8.4 yards per carry. He received a first team all-region nod.
Running Back: Trey Rainey, George Wythe
Trey Rainey turns up the field for yardage in a game against Fort Chiswell.
Rainey capped off his senior season with a 1,677-yard performance that included 26 touchdowns, guiding the Maroons to the Region 1C semifinals.
He added three touchdown receptions, tallying 11 catches for 109 yards. He earned a second team all-state selection.
Center: Nolan Dalton, Radford
The 6-foot-3, 270-pound senior led a Bobcats offensive line that blocked for first-year starting quarterback Luke Gaither, a sophomore who threw for over 2,400 yards and 20 touchdowns.
A two-way starter, Dalton garnered first team all-state honors.
Lineman: Jack Bryie, Salem
The 6-foot, 265-pound right tackle and center earned his second straight All-Timesland first team nod after blocking for a Spartans backfield that rushed for well over 2,000 yards and had two running backs who ran for at least 900 yards.
Bryie, a senior, earned a second team all-state selection for his performance.
Lineman: Kingston Cox, Grayson County
The 5-foot-9, 230-pound junior provided the bulk of the blocking for Blue Devils squad that could both run with Aaron Peterson and pass with Maverik Goad, reaching the program鈥檚 first-ever state championship game.
Cox received a first team all-state selection.
Lineman: Rhett Henderson, Glenvar
The 6-foot-3, 255-pound senior provided work in the trenches for a Highlanders squad that accumulated the most single-season yards and points in school history.
Henderson led Glenvar in blocking percentage and pancakes, and garnered second team all-state honors.
Lineman: BJ Cheatwood, William Byrd
Earning his second straight All-Timesland first team selection, the 6-foot-1, 260-pound tackle became the most decorated offensive lineman in school history, helping the Terriers rack up over 4,800 yards of offense and win back-to-back region championships.
Cheatwood is the first offensive lineman in William Byrd history with two all-state selections, making the first team this year.
Tight End: Phillip Radford, Floyd County
Phillip Radford turns upfield after catching a pass for a first down during the first half of a Sept. 21, 2023 game against James River.
An All-Timesland second team selection last year, the 6-foot-1, 226-pound senior helped the Buffaloes clinch their first home playoff game in seven years by catching 22 passes for 381 yards and two touchdowns.
Radford also earned an 82% grade as a blocker. He earned a first team all-state nod.
Receiver: Xzavier Hayslett, Alleghany
The 6-foot-4, 205-pound senior hauled in 64 catches for 1,109 yards and scored 14 touchdowns, providing a key target for prolific quarterback Des Jordan and a Cougars team that recorded a perfect regular season and reached the Region 3C semifinals.
Hayslett also had a punt return touchdown. He earned a first team all-state selection.
Receiver: Demarcus Brown, 色多多 Catholic
The 6-foot-4, 175-pound sophomore collected 1,137 yards on 46 receptions and scored 16 touchdowns.
Brown was named to the VISAA all-state second team.
All-Purpose: Wyatt Campbell, Bath County
The senior capped off a prolific high school career with a season that included nearly 3,000 total yards and 55 total touchdowns from five different positions, leading the Chargers to their first undefeated regular season in 21 years.
As Bath County鈥檚 quarterback, Campbell went 55-of-99 for 886 yards with 19 touchdowns against just two interceptions, and ran for 1,508 yards and 29 TDs on 142 carries, averaging over 10 yards per attempt. As a punt returner, he averaged 37.1 yards and found the end zone on four of his eight returns. He averaged 34.3 yards as a kick returner, scoring one touchdown. He also tallied two interception return touchdowns on defense.
He received a first team all-state selection for offensive all-purpose. He is fifth all-time in VHSL career touchdowns with 133, and finished his high school career with over 7,200 total yards, accumulated over 33 games.
Kicker: Sam Dowdy, Patrick Henry
The senior converted six of eight field-goal attempts to help propel the Patriots into the playoffs. Dowdy鈥檚 longest successful kick came from 46 yards out.
He made 47 out of 50 PATs.
Defense
Lineman: Nick Wilson, Glenvar
The 5-foot-8, 215-pound junior collected 10 sacks for a Highlanders defense that allowed less than 10 points per game. He totaled 130 tackles, including 21 that went for loss of yardage.
He was named Region 2C Defensive Player of the Year and earned a first team all-state selection.
Lineman: Ra鈥檘em Poindexter, Patrick Henry
The 6-foot-2, 230-pound junior tallied nine and a half sacks this season, along with 15 tackles for loss.
Poindexter added two blocked kicks and scored two defensive touchdowns.
Lineman: Maurice Burnette, William Byrd
A tipped pass is intercepted and run back for a touchdown by William Byrd lineman Maurice Burnette during a Sept. 1, 2023 against Hidden Valley.
The 6-foot-3, 315-pound defensive tackle racked up 26 tackles for loss for a Terriers squad that surrendered less than 16 points per game. He finished with 85 total tackles, including 66 solo, and six sacks.
Burnette was named Region 3D Co-Defensive Player of the Year and earned a first team all-state selection.
Lineman: Caleb Martin, Magna Vista
Magna Vista senior lineman Caleb Martin celebrates a play during a game this season.
The 6-foot-2, 295-pounder capped off his senior season with 19 tackles for loss and seven sacks.
Martin, a William & Mary signee, totaled 68 tackles, including 41 solo. He was named Piedmont District Defensive Player of the Year and received a second team all-state selection.
Linebacker: Sean Douglas, 色多多 Catholic
The 6-foot-2 senior amassed 151 tackles this season, 81 of which were solo. He forced five fumbles, recovered four and broke up two passes.
Douglas garnered second team all-state honors.
Linebacker: Cole Martin, Radford
The 5-foot-11, 171-pound junior collected 25 tackles for loss and five sacks, along with four fumble recoveries, two of which went for touchdowns.
Martin finished the season with 135 tackles, 42 of which were solo. He earned a first team all-state selection.
Linebacker: Cade Bralley, George Wythe
George Wythe鈥檚 Cade Bralley tackles Grayson County running back Aaron Peterson in a Nov. 1 game in Wytheville.
The sophomore inside linebacker notched six sacks and three interceptions this season. He tallied 94 solo tackles and 114 total tackles, with 13 tackles for loss.
Bralley received a second team all-region nod.
Defensive Back: Jesiah Hines, North Cross
North Cross defensive back Jesiah Hines (left) returns an interception during a Nov. 2 game against Potomac.
The 6-foot-1 sophomore cornerback collected seven interceptions for a Raiders team that allowed 8.1 points per game and reached the VISAA Division II state championship game for the third straight year.
Hines garnered a second team all-state selection for his performance.
Defensive Back: Mac Goad, Grayson County
Grayson County鈥檚 Mac Goad carries the ball into the end zone for a touchdown as Rye Cove鈥檚 Cole Barnette attempts to tackle him during the Class 1 state semifinals Dec. 7.
The 6-foot-2 senior was a crucial part of a Blue Devils defense that gave up less than 15 points per game. He notched 77 tackles, 58 of which were solo and six that went for loss.
He added three interceptions and five pass breakups, earning Class 1 Defensive Player of the Year honors. As a receiver, he caught 52 passes for 921 yards with 12 touchdowns.
Defensive Back: Izaiah Cotto, Christiansburg
Christiansburg quarterback Izaiah Cotto runs with the ball during a Sept. 28 game against Pulaski County at Evans King Field.
The junior collected six interceptions and broke up 12 passes for the Blue Demons this season.
Cotto, who also played quarterback for Christiansburg, added 63 tackles, 46 of which were solo and two that went for loss.
Defensive Back: Simeon Moore, Magna Vista
Magna Vista defensive back Simeon Moore celebrates with the Smith River Classic trophy after defeating Bassett on Oct. 25 in Ridgeway.
The 5-foot-10 junior tallied six interceptions and notched 10 pass breakups for the Warriors. He added 55 tackles, including 33 solo tackles.
Moore received a first team all-state selection.
All-Purpose: Qasim Husain-Jackson, William Fleming
From the rover position, the 5-foot-11 senior collected seven tackles for loss, two sacks, six pass breakups and two fumble recoveries for the Colonels.
Husain-Jackson also had an interception return touchdown and tallied 41 tackles, 19 of which were solo. He received a second team all-state selection for defensive all-purpose.
Punter: Brayden Billings, Fort Chiswell
Brayden Billings
The senior averaged 41.8 yards per kick for the Pioneers, including a long of 54 yards. He recorded three punts of at least 50 yards, and placed four punts inside the 20-yard line.
Billings received a second team all-state selection at punter. He rushed for 396 yards with four touchdowns and caught 17 passes for 248 yards with two scores on offense, and notched 92 total tackles with two sacks, two forced fumbles and two blocked field goals on defense, serving as Fort Chiswell鈥檚 do-it-all player this season.
Second Team
Offense
Northside鈥檚 Mykell Harvey (left) drives past Heritage鈥檚 Jeffrey Mosley at City Stadium on Oct. 4, 2024.
蚕耻补谤迟别谤产补肠办:听Des Jordan, Alleghany
Running Back:聽Kyshead Arrington, Salem
Running Back:聽Carter Calfee, Craig County
Running Back:聽Jaxon Keys, Blacksburg
颁别苍迟别谤:听Hunter Blount, Christiansburg
尝颈苍别尘补苍:听Trace Pickard, North Cross
尝颈苍别尘补苍:听Alex Moorman, William Fleming
尝颈苍别尘补苍:听Carter Stallard, Christiansburg
尝颈苍别尘补苍:听Nate Hayes, North Cross
Tight End:聽Carson Derey, Patrick Henry
Receiver:聽Torian Younger, Magna Vista
搁别肠别颈惫别谤:听Peyton Deel, Glenvar
础濒濒-笔耻谤辫辞蝉别:听Mykell Harvey, Northside
碍颈肠办别谤:听Louis Webster, Radford
Defense
FNP Staunton River鈥檚 Brady Barns (5) rushes for a first down during an Oct. 18 game against Franklin County in Rocky Mount.
Lineman:聽Kaleb Hustead, 色多多 Catholic
尝颈苍别尘补苍:听Dontay Davis, Salem
Lineman:聽Jamari Hale, William Fleming
Lineman:聽Slade Keesee, Jefferson Forest
尝颈苍别产补肠办别谤:听Cale Vaughan, Glenvar
Linebacker:聽Jaylen Craig, Bassett
尝颈苍别产补肠办别谤:听Brady Barns, Staunton River
Defensive Back:聽K-Ron Furguson, William Fleming
Defensive Back:聽Pace Prioleau, Radford
Defensive Back:聽Jase Rhodes, North Cross
Defensive Back:聽Ethan Haston, William Byrd
础濒濒-笔耻谤辫辞蝉别:听Nasear Johnson, Liberty
笔耻苍迟别谤:听Tyler Woods, Rockbridge County
Sizzlin' Sophomores
Radford quarterback Luke Gaither fires a pass downfield during first-half action against Glenvar on Oct. 5 in Radford.
Dedicated to burgeoning 10th graders who showcased skills as the rising stars of their teams and future elite players.
Offense
蚕耻补谤迟别谤产补肠办:听Luke Gaither, Radford
Running Back:聽Ranger Swanson, Glenvar
Lineman:聽Reece Honaker, Radford
Tight End:聽Thomas Purcell, William Byrd
Receiver:聽Elijah Knoetze, Narrows
碍颈肠办别谤:听Mason Hale, Alleghany
Defense
尝颈苍别尘补苍:听Daulton Shoemaker, Glenvar
尝颈苍别产补肠办别谤:听Peyton Hale, 色多多 Catholic
Defensive Back:聽DaVon Jones, Salem
Honorable Mention
William Byrd quarterback Cannin Lutz looks downfield for a pass during a Nov. 15 game against Staunton River in the Region 3D quarterfinals in Vinton.
Cannin Lutz (William Byrd);聽Jonathan Rosser (William Byrd); Eli Taylor (Salem); Jake James (Salem); Jordan McCadden (Salem); Coen Logan (Salem); Shane Huff (George Wythe); David Cook (Bassett); JD Grubb (Radford); Sincere Taylor (Radford); Davion Faulkner (William Fleming); Omarza Gray (William Fleming); William Payne (William Fleming); Justin Barnett (William Fleming); Jaylen Green (William Fleming); Gabe Barnett (Jefferson Forest); Logan Candis (Jefferson Forest); Thax Rowland (Jefferson Forest); Wrigley Colling (Jefferson Forest); Xander Coleman (Jefferson Forest); Noah Hill (Chilhowie); Trey Thomas (Staunton River); Aiden Cox (Floyd County); Cooper Mullins (Glenvar); Camden Skeens (George Wythe); Holden Luttrell (George Wythe); Chance Williams (色多多 Catholic);聽Orlando Portillo (色多多 Catholic);聽Sanderson Frogner (North Cross); Jaziel Hart (North Cross); Brock Miles (North Cross); Tristan Lange (North Cross); Raheem Lipford (Patrick Henry); Cole Byrd (Bassett); Braiden Mabe (Bath County); Ethan Bryant (Bath County); Tanner Melton (Grayson County); Omar Hernandez (Grayson County); Xavier Brown (Grayson County); Aaron Peterson (Grayson County); Connor Smith (Giles); Carl Muse (Glenvar); Devin Cook (Glenvar); Gavin Walker (Lord Botetourt); Tristan Overbay (Lord Botetourt); Seth Reiter (Lord Botetourt); Quinten Jones (Lord Botetourt); Cody McConnaughey (Lord Botetourt); Jackson Harless (Lord Botetourt); Bryant Nottingham (Pulaski County)
