This has been a spring to remember for the Highland Springs High School Springers.

Last week, senior Kelvin Gilliam was named Gatorade Virginia Player of the Year. The award recognizes a student with high athletic and academic achievement along with exemplary character.

The 6-foot-4, 260-pound Springer lineman will continue popping pads at the University of Oklahoma in the fall. Gilliam will report for summer practice in Norman, Okla., in late summer.

There is much to celebrate in Eastern Henrico County. This spring, Highland Springs posted a 9-1 record en route to the State 5A finals. The only setback was a 13-10 loss in overtime to Stone Bridge High School in Ashburn in the state final.

Gilliam recorded 48 tackles on the season with 16 for losses, 11 sacks and two safeties. Highland Springs posted five shutouts while allowing a scant 4.4 points per game.

Gilliam has excelled in the classroom with a 4.16 GPA while serving as a peer tutor. He also volunteered in various charity events.

If all goes well in summer camp, Gilliam could be wearing the Sooners’ crimson and cream colors soon. Oklahoma opens Sept. 4 against Tulane in New Orleans.

Gilliam becomes the second consecutive player from the area to win the Gatorade title. Last year’s winner was Hopewell High School running back TreVeyon Henderson, who is now enrolled at Ohio State University.

Former Springers enjoyed a memorable spring as well.

Senior defensive lineman Mike Green and redshirt freshman Antwane Wells Jr., both former Springers, were outstanding in helping James Madison University to a 7-1 record and to the semifinals of the NCAA FCS playoffs.

Green had 25 tackles, including 10.5 for losses.

Wells was sensational throughout the season, recording 33 receptions for 603 yards and six touchdowns.

Wells did his best work in the playoffs. In the 38-35 loss against Sam Houston State University in the semifinals in Texas, he had seven catches for 89 yards and a touchdown.

Against the University of North Dakota in the quarterfinals, Wells made seven grabs for 143 yards and two touchdowns.

In round one against Virginia Military Institute, Wells had four receptions for 132 yards and a touchdown. Warming up for playoffs, Wells had four catches for 92 yards in the regular season finale against the University of Richmond.

There will be a short turn-around for the fall 2021 season in Harrisonburg. The JMU Dukes open Sept. 4 against Morehead State University in Kentucky.

None of this is surprising for Springers fans. Highland Springs ranks with the most dominant programs in state gridiron history.

Highland Springs won the Virginia 5A titles in football in 2015 and 2016, and followed with State Class 5 crowns in 2017 and 2018. The Springers lost in the region finals in 2019 to next-door neighbor Varina High School.

The 2020 fall season was postponed because of the pandemic and moved to spring. The same happened with JMU on the college level.