One by one, Xander Edwards ticks off his list of thanks like clockwork. Coaches. Offensive linemen. God. Friends. Parents. Edwards, the Varsity 4 All-News4JAX offensive player of the year, doles out thanks and graciousness more than reflecting on his accomplishments, of which there are many. The Bolles sophomore led the state in rushing (2,629 yards, 44 TDs), racked up the highest single-game total in state history (522 yards, 8 TDs against Baldwin) and finished runner-up in voting for Mr. Football while leading the Bulldogs to a 13-2 record and Class 2A runner-up spot. But before Edwards could embark on his unbelievable season that even took him by surprise, he had to make a big offseason decision. What was his playing style going to be like? Would he be a player would could peel off a 70-yard run and leave everyone else behind, or would Edwards be content to stay 230 pounds and be more of a jackhammer-type of runner?

Earning a starting spot as a freshman on one of the best programs in state history was no small feat, but Asher Ghioto wasn’t satisfied. Not even close. So, the Bolles sophomore edge rusher drilled down into what he saw on film after his first season and went to work. The improvement was off the charts. Ghioto, the Varsity 4 All-News4JAX defensive player of the year, increased his numbers across the board and became the most dominant pass rusher in the area. He racked up 23 sacks and 35 tackles for loss to go along with 84 tackles. The best thing for Ghioto was the team success. Bolles went 13-2 and reached the Class 2A state championship game.

Blakely Hammel loves the challenge and racing the clock. There’s only so much time in a day, either on land or in the swimming pool, that the Episcopal junior tries to squeeze the very most out of it. Hammel, the Varsity 4 All-News4JAX girls swimmer of the year, defended her title in the 100 free and added a title in the 200 free by slicing nearly 3 full seconds from her best time. As an elite athlete in a sport that demands no short cuts, Hammel has gotten quite adept at facing them head on and raising the stakes.

Adriana Jeanpierre arrived at Beachside High School with a volleyball to-do list. At the very top of it, Jeanpierre said, was to leave something that her teammates and future players could be proud to have been a part of. As she wraps up her stellar four-year career with the Barracudas as the Varsity 4 All-News4JAX volleyball player of the year, Jeanpierre can scratch that one off the list. The four-year-old St. Johns County program has muscled in as one of the area’s top programs and positioned well for years to come, thanks in large part to the springy 5-9 outside hitter who will move to setter in college at Mississippi State.