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Yellowjackets’ Lynken Joy named LKC Defensive POTY

Williamstown’s Lynken Joy carries the ball during a high school football playoff game against Wheeling Central earlier this season. (Photo by Nikki Allen)

PARKERSBURG — Class AA football coaches in the Little Kanawha Conference selected Roane County’s Lane Watson as the Offensive Player of the Year and Williamstown’s Lynken Joy as Defensive Player of the Year.

Watson, who helped LKC Coach of the Year Paul Burdette’s Raiders to a 13-1 record and a double-A state runner-up finish, rushed for 2,198 yards and 32 touchdowns while averaging 10.5 yards a carry. He added 10 catches for 217 yards and four TDs. The Raider also had a 114 tackles, two forced fumbles and blocked six kicks.

Joy, who keyed the Yellowjackets’ run to the state semifinals, had 68 tackles, eight for loss and one pick. The dual-threat signal-caller ran for 1,496 yards and 20 TDs while throwing for 1,145 yards and 14 TDs.

Clay County’s Noah Collins, who rushed for 825 stripes and a dozen six-pointers, was tabbed the first team quarterback after completing 67% of his 315 attempts for 3,402 yards and 43 touchdowns against nine interceptions.

Panther teammates Jakoby Nichols (44-969-16) and Joel Elliott (41-911-15) were selected at wide receiver.

Watson, the Raiders’ single-season scoring leader, was joined at running back by South Harrison’s Jaden Hatfield, who averaged 8.8 yards a tote and found paydirt 30 times on his 258 rushes he churned into 2,266 yards.

Roane County’s Koltyn Starcher, who had three receptions for 38 yards and helped the Raiders pave the way for a school record 4,782 rushing yards, was the tight end.

Williamstown’s Jensen Burge, Roane County’s Noah Jett, Ravenswood’s Quinn Bowsher, South Harrison’s Luke Given and Clay County’s James Grose were selected as offensive linemen on the first unit.

Clay County’s Jaxon Brown was the kicker after making 48 extra points, two field goals and recording 17 touchdowns.

Panther Ayden Brown, who had 60 catches for 693 yards and three TDs, joined Ravenswood’s Austin Vannest at first team utility. The Red Devil caught 15 passes for 158 yards with one TD and rushed for 620 yards and eight scores.

Williamstown’s Danner Hooper (101 TKL, 21 TFL, 8 sacks, 3 FF), Braxton County’s Eliah Moore (73 TKL, 11 TFL, 9 sacks, 5 FF, 3 FR), Roane County’s Tyson Freeland (23 TKL, 7 TFL, 2 sacks) and Clay County’s Seth Robinson (36 TKL, 14 TFL, 3 sacks, 1 FR) led the way at defensive line on the first team.

First team linebackers included Williamstown’s Rex Anderson (74 TKL, 8 TFL, 2 INT, 2 FR, 1 FF), Roane County’s Clay Walker (106 TKL, 15 TFL, 5 sacks, 2 FR), South Harrison’s Shepard Paugh (89 TKL, 8 TFL, 5.5 sacks) and Clay County’s Blake Coleman (114 TKL, 11 TFL, 1 FR).

First team defensive back honors went to Williamstown’s Carson Haines (17 TKL, 2 INT), South Harrison’s Landon Ross (72 TKL, 4 INT, 3 FF, 1 FR) and Roane County’s Jacob Greathouse (33 TKL, 2 INT, 11 PD, 1 FF, 1 FR),

Joy was joined at utility by Roane County’s Shay Harper, who missed last year due to injury. The Raider, who rushed for 1,104 yards and 14 TDs, made 33 stops, had a pair of TFL, one pick and defended 16 passes.

Braxton County’s Landon Mays was named the punter with a 30.1 average and a long of 49.

The All-LKC second team offense consisted of Braxton County running backs Logan Payne and Steven Deal, Eagle tight end Brodi Smarr, seven O-linemen in Roane County’s Hogan Greathouse, Williamstown’s Blake Brown, South Harrison’s Layton Wageman, Ravenswood’s Hayden Heath, Braxton County’s Joel Sigman, Yellowjacket Ty Ott and Raider Colten Elliott.

Roane County’s Cobun Cottrell was the kicker and the second team utility spots were occupied by South Harrison’s Xavier Tustin, Williamstown’s Cooper Billingsley and Braxton County’s Carter Lewis.

A pair of South Harrison – Charles Langford and Brady Rush – and Clay County – Jaden Morris and Christian Bryant – teammates were joined by Roane County’s Garrett Brabham on the second team defensive line.

The trio of second team linebackers were Braxton County’s Dylan Foster, Williamstown’s Will Sites and Ravenswood’s Jacob Burgess.

A quartet of defensive backs made the second team in Braxton County’s Jaime Nettles, Clay County’s Kohan Ramsey, South Harrison’s Collin Senguin and Braxton County’s Elijah Marcum.

Williamstown’s Christian Hoosier and Cooper Martin earned utility nods.

Contact Jay Bennett at jbennett@newsandsentinel.com

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