The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Avon’s QB wins Matt Wilhelm award
Junior ranked in top five in all major categories for area QBs
The Avon Eagles have a long history of setting the standard when it comes to top-notch players. This year is no different. On Nov. 14, junior quarterback Ryan Maloy was named the recipient of the Matt Wilhelm Award during a ceremony at the Hooley House in Westlake.
“It means a lot,” Maloy said of the award. “I’ve been working hard this season and I couldn’t have done it without my teammates pushing me hard. And the support of my family and coaches the entire way has meant the most.”
Maloy edged four other strong finalists to claim the second Wilhelm Award: Firelands slot receiver/safety Nick Denney, Bay running back/ linebacker Trey Psota, Amherst running back Khennedy Scagliozzo and Lorain quarterback Justin Sturgill.
A backup last year who received some starts due to injuries to Matt Kelly, Maloy made the Avon offense his own and excelled with both his arm and his legs. For the season, Maloy is 175-for-236 for 2,308 yards, 20 touchdowns and five interceptions, adding 11 touchdowns and 612 yards on 90 carries.
“I give all the credit to my offensive line,” Maloy said. “And
my quarterbacks coach and the coaches in general. I couldn’t do anything without them helping me out and making sure that I’m in the right place. They are where the credit goes.”
Among Morning Journal area quarterbacks, Maloy ranked in the top five in all of the major categories: Yards (2,308, first), completions (175, first), attempts (236, third), completion percentage (74.2, first), touchdowns (20, third), interceptions (five, fifth), TD-interception ratio (4-1, third), rushing yards (612, second) rushing touchdowns (11, second), average yards per carry (6.8, third).
It was not merely a few successful games that padded Maloy’s stats. Rather, the junior was about as consistent as they come.
• He threw a touchdown in all of the Eagles’ regular season games.
• He rushed for touchdowns in each of Avon’s postseason games.
• He only twice had a passing percentage below 70 percent, with his lowest mark being 64.7 percent.
• He topped 80 percent on his passing three times, with his highest mark coming on a 13-for-15 (86.7 percent) evening in Week 9 against Amherst.
• He rushed for a touchdown in eight games this season.
• He accounted for two or more touchdowns in eight games this season, being involved in three or more touchdowns in four of those games.
The list could go on for quite a long time.
And it is that consistency that has allowed the Eagles to thrive, win the Southwestern Conference, maintain a perfect 12-0 record and advance to the Division II, Region 6 final.
“I just always want to put my team in the best position I can for us to win,” Maloy said. “If I’m doing that, I’m doing my job.”
Perhaps the scariest thing about Maloy is that he is a junior and will be back next year to help lead the Eagles once again.
“I’m looking forward to having another year with these guys,” Maloy said. “But I’m glad this year isn’t done yet. I want to finish this year strong so that we can go into next year on the high note.”