By Jeremy Sellew
A number of local Big 8 Conference teams had phenomenal football seasons this year, led by the Thomas Jefferson Jaguars, who repeated as Class 4A state champions with a win over Jersey Shore on Saturday.
Now, the postseason awards are being handled out. While the Jaguars captured the state championship, it’s a Leopard and Tiger leading the way with all-conference honors.
Belle Vernon Area’s Devin Whitlock was named the Big 8 Offensive Player of the Year and McKeesport’s Colin Lyons was named the Defensive Player of the Year.
Whitlock, in his first year as the BVA starting quarterback, led the Leopards to the WPIAL semifinals where they lost to No. 1 seed Aliquippa, 33-25.
He completed 35 of 76 passes for 528 yards, but it was when he carried the ball that brought opposing defenders to their knees.
Whitlock carried the rock 101 times for 1,082 yards and 15 touchdowns. He averaged 135 yards per game.
When speaking of Whitlock prior to the Aliquippa game, Humbert used the term “electric.”
“Anytime Dev has the ball in his hands, he’s dangerous,” Humbert said prior to the game on Nov. 6. “You want the ball in his hands. At quarterback, he’s touching it on every play.”
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