(from left: Trevor Burton, Evan Alger, Diego Turner, Tyler Underwood, and Nathan Pratt)
Five Pulaski County football players were recognized after a vote by the coaches as members of the All-River Ridge District football team Monday.
Cougar senior running back Trevor Burton was the only first-team selection for the Cougars.
He is joined on the first-team offense by quarterback Landon Altizer, offensive lineman Preston Lonker, wideout Owen Sweeney, and tight end Ayden Babich of Cave Spring; center Brayden DeMasi of Blacksburg; offensive lineman Ayden Conley, all-purpose player Tanner Evans, and fullback Curtis Altizer of Christiansburg; offensive linemen Andrew Lutes and Caleb Wright, running backs Peyton Lewis and Javion Jones, and kick returner Peyton Lewis of Salem; and wideout Carmelo Taylor and kicker Sam Dowdy of Patrick Henry.
The first-team defense includes no Pulaski County players, but features Conley at lineman, Robert McCrea at defensive end, linebacker Curtis Altizer, defensive back Tanner Evans, and punter Curtis Altizer of Christiansburg; lineman Preston Lonker, linebacker Caleb Grinder, and all-purpose player Ayden Babich of Cave Spring; lineman JP Prusakowski, linebacker Troy Brown, and defensive back Sidney Webb of Patrick Henry; defensive end Isaiah Barlow, linebacker Jaelyn Allen, defensive back Jonathan Vernon, and punt returner Peyton Lewis of Salem; and defensive back Joey Strong of Hidden Valley.
The Offensive Player of the Year is Tanner Evans of Christiansburg. The Defensive Player of the Year is Curtis Altizer of Christiansburg. The Coach of the Year is Nick Leftwich of Cave Spring.
Three Pulaski County players were selected for four positions on the second team.
Senior offensive lineman Evan Alger was selected as a second team offensive lineman and defensive end. Senior Diego Turner was selected as an offensive lineman. Junior Tyler Underwood was selected as a linebacker.
One Cougar player was selected as an honorable mention, senior Nathan Pratt at punter.