Stone Bridge High School defensive end Jonathan Allen has been selected as the Gatorade Football Virginia Player of the Year. Allen is the third player from Loudoun to win the coveted award since its inception in 1986.

Allen, verbally committed to play for the University of Alabama, joins last year’s winner Alex Carter (Briar Woods) and Stone Bridge alum Ed Wang (2005) as local recipients of the award. Allen is now a finalist for the Gatorade National Football Player of the Year award to be announced later this month.

The 6-foot-4, 245-pound senior has helped lead Stone Bridge (14-0) to the Virginia Division 5 state championship game. Allen has recorded 103 tackles, nine sacks, six fumble recoveries and six blocked kicks as of Nov. 30.

George Marshall High School head coach Greg Sullivan offers high praise for Allen.

“Allen has power, acceleration and speed to get to the ball,” said Sullivan, whose team lost to Stone Bridge, 63-6, on Oct. 12. “He’s easily the best defensive player I have seen in 30 years of coaching high school and small college football.”

Along with his athletic prowess, Allen maintains a ‘B’ average in the classroom and volunteers with local youth football programs. Allen, along with teammate Ryan Burns, a senior quarterback, have already been selected to play in the prestigious 2013 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Stone Bridge - Liberty District and Northern Region champions - will face Eastern Region champion Lake Taylor in the Virginia Division 5 title game Dec. 8 at the University of Virginia.