The recipients of the male and female Duke Automotive-Suffolk News-Herald Fall Player of the Year awards were models of recent athletic greatness, but also consistent excellence.

King’s Fork High School junior football player Deshaun Wethington produced a remarkable season as a running back for his team, following up his impressive sophomore season to repeat as the male Fall Player of the Year.

Nansemond-Suffolk Academy senior volleyball player Brooks Gillerlain was crucial to her team winning the state championship this year, further establishing herself as one of the best setters in the state. She filled this same role last year, as well, when the Lady Saints won their first state title.

Wethington and Gillerlain were given their awards during a presentation ceremony on Wednesday at Duke Automotive.

“Once again we’ve got two fantastic kids that have shown that they’re well-deserving to be Players of the Year for the fall,” said Eley Duke, vice president of Duke Automotive.

He noted that Wethington’s continued success did not catch him off guard.

“I wasn’t surprised to see Deshaun back in the paper all the time, especially after last year,” he said. “And then I wasn’t surprised that he was the Fall Player of the Year for the boys, because he’s just a fantastic young man in football.”

Duke also said he was familiar with how well the NSA girls’ volleyball team has been doing and highlighted its consistency, which Gillerlain has played a key role in.

The Lady Saints have been in the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division II state title match three years in a row, winning it the last two years.

“So, that’s been really impressive, I think,” Duke said.

Duke Automotive president Lydia Duke addressed the honorees, and Suffolk News-Herald publisher Steve Stewart led the presentation ceremony on Wednesday.

“Considering the collective success of Suffolk sports teams this fall, it speaks to their accomplishments that Brooks and Deshaun stood out as the top individual performers in a crowded field of prospective honorees,” Stewart said. “We appreciate Duke Automotive for partnering with us to put the spotlight on deserving young scholar-athletes in Suffolk.”

Wethington had 170 carries this season for 1,560 yards and 21 touchdowns, averaging 9.2 yards per carry. He also caught a 79-yard touchdown pass and had 190 yards in kick returns, including one that he took 94 yards for a touchdown against Lakeland High School.

He was named the Ironclad Conference Offensive Player of the Year and was selected to the all-conference, all-region and all-state first teams.

Of all of the honors he has received, including Fall Player of the Year, Wethington said, “It means a lot.”

He evaluated the challenge of playing this year in the wake of his great sophomore season.

“It wasn’t any harder,” he said. “I just had to go out there and play.”

Ronnie White was pleased with his son’s consistency.

“I’m proud of him,” he said. “It’s commitment.”

Angela Wethington, Deshaun’s mother, said, “I just want to keep him focused and motivated to be successful in life.”

Gillerlain finished the year with 923 assists, averaging 10.6 assists per set, measuring up well to her fellow Virginia setters listed on MaxPreps.com, a CBSSports.com site.

Across all levels of Virginia public and private school players whose schools enter player stats on the site, Gillerlain ranks third in assists and fourth in assists per set.

She also was an outstanding server on her team this year, leading NSA with 49 aces and co-leading the team with 152 serving points.

Gillerlain was excited by the Fall Player of the Year honor. For everybody who helped her reach this point, she said, “I’m really thankful.”

She was also named to the all-conference and all-state first teams this year.

In terms of volleyball, “she’s worked really hard since, sixth, seventh grade,” said her mother, Kelly Gillerlain. “We’re very proud of her, her work ethic and commitment.”

Brooks’ father, Jimmy Gillerlain, said, “She’s done her part. We want to make sure we do ours.”

Brooks Gillerlain is currently contemplating her academic and athletic options at the college level.