The Locker Room November 29, 2011

Senior Pierce Rigney has been named to the All River Ridge District first team as a defensive lineman, as well as being named to the All Region 4 first team defensive unit and the All River Ridge second team offensive unit as a running back. Rigney didn't play running back for the Cougars until the Richlands game, but finished as the teams second leading rusher with 121 attempts for 619 yards in the regular season and five touchdowns. Defensively he also recovered three fumbles and was known as a hard hitting and aggressive team leader.  

Junior defensive end James King joins Rigney on the All River Ridge District first team as a defensive end. King, who is quickly becoming a force to reckon with, was also named to the All Region 4 second team defense. While he didn't have any offensive stats to post up for fans to envy, a look at most teams offensive plans showed that they normally would try to avoid running the ball to his side of the field. Later in the season, King was also asked to move to the offensive line where he did a fine job opening up holes for the running game.  

Senior defensive back Corky Hall was also named to the All River Ridge District defensive unit first team. The Cougars finished the season with nine interceptions, of which Hall can claim four.  

Senior linebacker Cody Long was named to the All District second team defense. Another of the Cougars senior leaders, Long had a fumble recovery and two interceptions in 2011. Cody was also a key part of the Cougar offense, leading the team in scoring with five touchdowns and three two point conversions. He ran the ball 24 times for 114 yards in the regular season, mostly from the "jumbo" package in short yardage or goal line situations.  

Junior Chris Belcher, junior Marcus McClanahan, and sophomore Marcus Johnston join the ranks as members of the All District second team. Belcher was selected as an offensive lineman, McClanahan was named as a second team running back, and Johnston was named as the second team punter. McClanahan led the team in rushing this season with 727 yards on 146 attempts. The final Cougar to be named to the team was junior Adam Allen, who was named as an honorable mention at linebacker.  

Running back Sam Wright of Cave Spring was named as the "Offensive Player of the Year" for the district, Shane Folley of Hidden Valley was named as the "Offensive Lineman of the Year". Marty Bishop of Salem was named as the "Offensive Back of the Year". Defensively, Jake Kite of Hidden Valley was named "Defensive Player of the Year", Irvin Buchannon was named "Defensive Lineman of the Year", and Mic Edwards of Christiansburg was named "Defensive Back of the Year".  

In other Region 4 honors, Magna Vista quarterback Harvey Taylor was names as the top quarterback, as well as being named the "Offensive Player of the Year". Christiansburg quarterback Brendan Motley made the All Region 4 team at the Utility Position, even though the Blue Demons defeated the Warriors in dominant fashion in the Region 4 title game, 46-12.  

The All State teams will be published at the conclusion of the season.