FNV 2021 Overall Player of the Year

This is the 4th year that we have picked an FNV Overall Player of the Year and this one has proved to be the toughest choice. There were so many players deserving of consideration and in other years some of the players may have won the award. One of the hardest parts of this process is picking someone from 16 schools that range from Division 1 all the way to Division 8, especially when these schools don’t play each other or have common opponents. Many times stats can help us determine who the best player is, other times maybe they don’t. Three of the last four years we have considered a 2-way lineman for the award. That was definitely the case this year. Please know we look at this closely and try to come up with a consensus.

With that said……

Riverview QB/DB Preston Thompson has been named the Friday Night Victors 2021 Overall Player of the Year after leading the Pirates to their second consecutive Huron League Championship. Preston was a 4-year varsity player at Riverview and was a part of 30 wins in his varsity career.

While leading Riverview to a second consecutive undefeated regular season, the team MVP carried the ball for 602 yards and 11 TD’s while passing for 575 yards and 5 TD’s. On the defensive side of the ball, the physical senior recorded 21 tackles and 2 Ints.

While Thompson’s stats don’t jump off the page, there are a few that certainly stand out. Thompson ran for 16, 2-point conversions and threw for 10 more. Also, Thompson averaged a mind-boggling 13.4 yards per carry and also averaged 28.75 yards per completion while passing. Perhaps Thompson’s biggest attribute was his ability to lead and will his team to victory. This was never more apparent than during the Pirates 28-17 week 9 victory over Monroe. Facing a 4th down and 4 in the 4th quarter, Thompson picked up a crucial conversion solely on extra effort and ended up breaking a bone in his leg that ended his season.

Others Considered: Noah Bauman (Whiteford), Cody Britt (Carlson), Cole McElvany (Milan), Shea Ruddy (Whiteford), Owen Sampson (Ida).