Cobb, Perry earn top fall honors
Published 10:23 pm Friday, January 11, 2019
Keonte’ Cobb and Danielle Perry have been selected the Suffolk News-Herald Fall Male and Female Players of the Year, respectively.
Nansemond River High School had a lot to be excited about during the fall season of sports. They had one of the top cross-country runners in the city while also having one of football’s top defensive players as well. Both Cobb and Perry attend Nansemond River. They are both juniors and both stood out in their respective sports.
Cobb came to Nansemond River as a transfer from Lakeland High School. During his sophomore season at Lakeland, he broke the single-season sack record there. He went to Nansemond River the following year and did the very same thing.
With his relentless play, Cobb totaled 24 sacks for the season. His impact on the Warriors’ defense showed each and every game. As a junior, Cobb believes this is only the beginning. Nansemond River Coach Justin Conyers said Cobb’s impact through the season was incredible, and they believe that he can reach a higher level.
“I am truly blessed, and I feel so accomplished,” Cobb said. “I know this is just the beginning, and I just want to continue to keep working and never settle. With my coaches and teammates behind me, I wouldn’t be where I am.”
Cobb’s strong season led to him being named first team All-District and All-Region as a defensive lineman. Now, he can also add the SNH Fall Male Player of the Year as well.
“I am very proud of my achievements,” Cobb said. “I am very thankful for the support, and I am looking forward to this upcoming season.”
Perry, like Cobb, transferred into Nansemond River this school year. She came to Suffolk by way of Pennsylvania and joined the cross-country team, standing out immediately. She was one of the top female runners in Suffolk and throughout the region and state.
“I felt like I ran well after adjusting to climate and running in a higher division than I am used to,” Perry said. “I definitely ran a lot better than I originally thought I would run.”
After running well in all of the district meets, she went on to run even better in the Class 5A regional meets and Class 5 state meet. She finished sixth in the regional meet and then went on to finish 26th in the state meet, which featured hundreds of runners. Perry was the only runner on the girls’ side to reach the state level for Suffolk Public Schools. Coach Brian Kershasky called her an inspiration.
“She came to us this year from Pennsylvania,” Kershasky said. “The team fell in love with her immediately, and she immediately became a team leader and a teammate that is inspirational.”
Both athletes are expected to return back to Nansemond River for their senior seasons.