Nixa football was one of the great stories in all of southwest Missouri athletics during the 2020 season and its star player on defense was a big reason why.
And that's also why we are naming him our player of the year.
Eagles senior linebacker Steven Ward II is the recipient of the Springfield News-Leader's high school football player of the year recognition.
Ward was chosen over other worthy finalists including Buffalo's Jamen Smith, Glendale's Cooper Roy, Bolivar's Darrin Fugitt and Marionville's Wil Carlton.
Ward was consistently the best athlete on every field he stepped on.