It was the same story on offense for Markosian. He was Juan Diego's starting center, and he keyed the team's running game.

"On both sides of the ball, he was outstanding," Colosimo said. "My memories of him are of him being in the backfield a lot. And he always had a smile on his face. He was as proud as can be to be a Juan Diego football player."

2AMVP

Deven Holmes, North Summit
Not everyone can run the option effectively. But as a two-year starter as North Summit's quarterback, Holmes nearly perfected the art of running the option while helping the Braves to two straight state championships.

Holmes scored three touchdowns in North Summit's 35-27 win over Juab in the 2A semifinals, helping the Braves avenge an earlier loss in the season and handing the Wasps their only defeat in 2008. Holmes scored on runs of 25 and 78 yards in the first half, giving North Summit control of the game.

"They (the scoring runs) were based on reads from the option," said North Summit coach Jerre Holmes, who's also Deven's dad. "Those are split-second decisions."

And they were ones that became second nature to Holmes. He has been around football his whole life, with his dad successfully coaching teams around the state. All the time spent around the sport truly paid off this season, as Holmes averaged 8.5 yards per carry and accounted for 28 total touchdowns.

"Offensively, he was the engine that made us go," said North Summit offensive coordinator Devin Smith. "He allowed us to be diverse on offense. We could run the option, play-action pass and drop-back pass. Rarely did I ever have to explain things to him. He just gets it. He's been a pleasure to coach."

Holmes scored two touchdowns in North Summit's dramatic 31-28 win over Manti in the 2A championship game. With the game tied in the final minute, Holmes made the right reads while driving the Braves in position to kick the game-winning field goal as time expired.

1AMVP

Wyatt Mason, North Sevier
Mason, a two-way starter at running back and linebacker, contributed many great things for the Wolves while helping them to their first state championship in school history. He provided a spark in one game without actually playing in it.

Mason suffered a knee injury a little past the midpoint of the season, and there were fears that he was done for the year. Prior to the team's game against Parowan, which ultimately was the only contest Mason would miss, he delivered a fiery pregame speech, reminding his teammates to take advantage of opportunities during the season.