Falcon football — it’s all over but the shouting, and there was plenty of that Nov. 20 as the team held their annual banquet to announce the Cascade 2A All-Conference honors.

Running back Rob Knight and defensive lineman James Jones, both seniors, were picked as Most Valuable Players — besides their MVP certificates, Knight was presented with an autographed jersey of San Francisco 49’er receiver Jerry Rice.

Jones received a Hall of Fame autographed jersey of New York Giant lineman Lawrence Taylor, both donated by Michael O’Sullivan of Clinton Foodmart, who played football with defensive coordinator Damian Greene at Langley High School.

“I’ve been collecting jerseys for a couple years and we thought it would be a good thing for the kids,” O’Sullivan said.

Knight accounted for 70 percent of South Whidbey’s rushing offense: 264 carries for 1,452 net yards for an average 5.5 yards, seven touchdowns and two two-point conversions for 53 points. He ran for over 200 yards in three games and over 100 yards in five games.

“I’m really honored,” Knight said. “I never thought this would happen and I’m proud of what our team accomplished this season.”

“I have to say, though, I wouldn’t have gotten any yards at all without the front line. They were awesome,” he added.

“I can’t say enough about Rob and the positive journey that this young man has gone through,” said Falcons Coach Mark Hodson.

“This year for Rob Knight has been nothing less than a miracle and if any one ever questions the reason for high school sports and its positive impact on kids, I will tell them the success story of Rob Knight,” Hodson said.

Hodson described Knight as “humble, appreciative of the offensive line, even though he made many additional yards alone with strong second efforts in breaking tackles and a hard worker, on and off the field.”

Jones, the Falcons’ tackle and sack leader, had 52 tackles and nine assists, eight quarterback sacks, four tackles for a loss, four fumbles caused and two recovered.

“James just had an outstanding year,” Greene noted. “He played with intensity, always striving to do his best.”

Green ticked off Jones’ feats on the field: “He caused four fumbles and recovered two. With that bum ankle against Coupeville (Oct. 6) he scooped the ball and ran 25 yards before being tripped up, falling just 17 yards from the goal line. It was a gutsy performance.”

Jones was a three-year starter, attended WSU football camp last summer, was a team co-captain, defensive play caller and he played every game.

Jones also was honorably mentioned as an offensive lineman.

“That was totally unexpected,” Jones said. “A lot of my success came because Kyle Hoch was on the other end of the line.”

His total 60 tackles were all from playing the weak-side defensive end. Most teams run the majority of their plays towards their strong side where the tight end is located as an extra blocker.

“Teams had to choose between Kyle or me and that allowed me to make plays,” Jones added.

Jeff VanDerford can be reached at 221-5300 or sports@southwhidbeyrecord.com.