Mountain View senior’s league Defensive MVP award not biggest news of November

Steven Abdelsayed learned he had been named Class 2A Southern League Defensive Most Valuable Player after a 36-22 playoff win over Lincoln County on Saturday.

But the Mountain View linebacker’s excitement was nothing compared to the heartache he felt in the week leading up to the game.

Abdelsayed’s mother, Cindy, was diagnosed with cancer Nov. 1.

“My family’s been going through some struggle,” said Abdelsayed, a senior. “It was really emotional for me to get (the award). Football’s kind of been my stress relief.”

Cindy Abdelsayed traveled to every road game this season to cheer on the Saints. But she won’t be able to watch Mountain View (9-2) play at Battle Mountain (8-2) in a 2A state semifinal at 1 p.m. Saturday.

“She’s been in the hospital for the past week,” Steven Abdelsayed said. “(Lincoln County) is the first game she’s missed.”

The Saints have rallied around their middle linebacker and leader on defense, Mountain View coach Ray LeBoeuf said.

“I also teach him in class,” LeBoeuf said. “What I’ve noticed is, he’s been willing to receive the support of his teammates. They’ve been praying for him. He’s been willing to talk about it.”

On the field, the 6-foot-1-inch, 225-pound Abdelsayed emerged this season as the heart of Mountain View’s defense. He leads the Saints with 115 tackles, and is tied for the team lead with three sacks.

Abdelsayed became a starter midway through last season. Now, he’s filling the shoes of Billy Paddack, last year’s Defensive MVP who walked on to UNLV’s squad.

“He’s actually wearing Billy’s helmet from last year,” LeBoeuf said. “He’s learned to read the plays. He made a commitment to play and improved his tackling significantly.”

Abdelsayed is proud to be part of a senior class that has set a program record for wins in a season, but he wouldn’t mind adding to it.

“I take a lot of pride in that, but it’s not done yet,” he said. “I really want to make it to state and win the state game.”

Also for Mountain View, Cortland LeBoeuf was named Player of the Year.

The senior running back is one of the state’s leading rushers with 1,624 yards and 18 touchdowns.

The Meadows (9-1), which hosts a 2A state semifinal at 1 p.m. Saturday against Pershing County (7-3), received the other top three awards.

Mustangs coach Frank DeSantis took Coach of the Year, sophomore quarterback Garrett Gosse (1,880 yards, 28 TDs) was named Offensive MVP and senior offensive guard/nose guard Andrew Duddlesten earned Lineman of the Year honors.