2018 OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

For the third year in a row the 2018 UnionCountyHighSchoolFootball.com's Player of the Year is Sun Valley's Sam Howell. Sam had another tremendous year at Sun Valley leading them to an 10-3 record and advanced to the 2nd round of the state 3A playoffs. Howell led all of Union Co. in passing yards (3240) and passing TDs (36) while completing 60% of his passes. Howell finished the 2018 season with 125.6 passer rating. Sam threw for 300+ yards three times, including 398 yards and 6 TDs in the 53-7 win over Parkwood. Sam threw 4 TDs in a game twice (vs. Anson Co. & Piedmont) during the season. On the ground, Howell finished 4th in Union Co. with 1392 rushing yards and 17 TDs. Sam ran for a season high 161 yards and a TD in the playoff loss to AC Reynolds. Howell was named UCHSF Player of the Week four times during the 2018 season while being named Gatorade's North Carolina Player of the Year for 2018. Howell broke the North Carolina record for most yards from scrimmage in a career of 16,590 set by Independence’s Chris Leak, which stood for 16 years. Howell finished his Sun Valley career with 17,036 yards from scrimmage. Howell has signed to continue his education & football career at UNC. Congratulations Sam, it has been a pleasure!