CAIRO — Cairo’s football team made a deep postseason run in 2016, and a few key contributors to that cause were honored on Friday.

Ten Syrupmakers landed on the Region 1-4A all-region first team, with Walter Grant winning player of the year and Cole Phillips receiving special teams player of the year honors. Head coach Steve DeVoursney won coach of the year after guiding his team to a 7-0 record in region play.

Grant, who verbally committed to Georgia on senior night, made his mark in more ways than one. In addition to his time as a linebacker in Cairo’s stingy defense, he saw some time at running back, where he utilized his 6-foot-5 frame to revitalize the running game with 512 yards and seven touchdowns on 82 carries.

“He’s a Division I player that played offense, defense and special teams,” DeVoursney said. “That’s kind of why everybody voted him player of the year. He did everything.”

Phillips, another unanimous choice by the coaches, was a difference maker as a kicker, hitting all 38 of his extra point attempts and making 20 of his 32 field goal tries. In his senior year, he tied the Georgia record for number of field goals made in a season. He hit three field goals of 50 yards or more, nailing a season-long 56-yarder in the playoffs against Jefferson.

Cairo’s offense had to progress and catch up to the defense early in the year, but it eventually did, led by senior quarterback John Michael Owens. He threw for 20 touchdowns and 2,111 yards, becoming Cairo’s all-time leader for passing yards in a season.

“He kind of drove the car for us this year,” DeVoursney said. “He did a good job putting us in the right positions.”

Senior Tony Smith, a three-year starter on the offensive line, and senior receiver Jaylon Jones joined Owens on the first team. Jones caught 46 passes for 545 yards and three scores.

The defense was a crucial point of success for the Syrupmakers, and six players from that side of the ball were also selected. Linebacker Zach Anderson returned this year after missing 2015 to injury, while Jahseari and Jahsari Patterson tied for the team lead in tackles. Defensive linemen Jeremiah Gordon and Quan Sherman rounded out the defensive unit.

“Our guys up front were really physical and played with a high motor,” DeVoursney said. “That really started our defense for us.”

Jamal Thomas, DJ Donaldson and Todd Brown made the second team. Tajh Vicks, Randy Mayo, Matt Cromer and Jaquez Oliver were listed as honorable mentions.