DIVISION III: Saints’ Larson earns Southern League’s top honor

Matthew Larson’s impact for Mountain View’s football team is easy to spot with a casual eye.

The junior running back, linebacker and kicker has made his presence felt in all three phases of the game for the Saints, who are enjoying one of the most memorable seasons in school history.

But there’s something extra that helped Larson become the Division III Southern League player of the year.

“He paid just as much attention to supporting his teammates as carrying the ball,” Mountain View coach Mike Valenzuela said. “People went to block for him as hard as he went to block for others.”

League coaches recently voted the top honor to Larson, who rushed for 250 yards and three touchdowns and went 7-for-7 on extra points in the Saints’ 56-7 win over Needles on Saturday in the quarterfinals of the Division III state playoffs.

He’ll lead the Saints (10-1) against visiting Battle Mountain (7-3) in a state semifinal at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Coach of the Year went to Valenzuela, who deflected credit toward his players.

“You don’t get that without player of the year,” Valenzuela said. “The kids make you look smart.”

Offensive Most Valuable Player went to Lincoln County senior running back Preston Avery, who will lead the Lynx (9-2) at Pershing County (9-1) in the other semifinal at 1 p.m. Saturday. Lincoln County senior offensive tackle Dyllon Cluff was named Lineman of the Year.

Laughlin’s JuQuan Lakes took Defensive MVP honors. The versatile senior linebacker helped the Cougars (4-5) reach the postseason this year for the first time since 2005.