The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Brandon Coleman Columbia, senior
What can be said about Brandon Coleman that has not already been stated? He is a once-in-a-lifetime type of player who could have been transplanted to any team in The Morning Journal area and found success. That is because any team would have altered their offense to make him the focal point. Coleman’s senior year saw him rush for 1,698 yards and 23 touchdowns on 148 carries, adding 11 receptions for 102 yards and he also passed for a score. Defensively, Coleman had 74 tackles (48 solo) with 12.5 tackles for loss, adding a sack and two interceptions. While those numbers may not have topped the area, his 11.5 yards per carry average did. What is truly impressive, though, is that the Columbia senior put up these numbers following a season-ending ACL tear in his junior year. He came back bigger, faster and stronger than ever, and it showed.
COACH OF THE YEAR Brian Fox Elyria Catholic
Sometimes all that a program needs is a fresh perspective and a new approach. Elyria Catholic, meet Brian Fox. The first-year Panthers’ coach came into the season with a program that had a plethora of talent, but was being improperly utilized. Fox revamped the offense and made some shifts on defensive schemes. The result? A Great Lakes Conference title, a playoff berth that featured a Week 11win at Knights of Columbus Field and the renewed interest of not only the Elyria Catholic community, but Lorain County as a whole. And it all started with the hiring of Fox to reinvigorate the program. Mission accomplished.
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE QB Cameron Engrish, Sr., Elyria Catholic
The resurgence of Panther football would not have been possible without Engrish under center. The senior was sensational this season, completing passes at a 58-percent clip (148-for-255). He threw for the second-most yards in The Morning Journal area this season with 2,435, and featured one of the best touchdown-to-interception ratios at 28touchdowns and 11interceptions.
QB Teddy Grendzynski, Sr., Olmsted Falls
The Bulldogs’ vaunted triple option would not have been nearly as deadly without Grendzynski’s ability to pass the ball. Even without as many passes, the senior’s numbers match his rivals. He was 53-for-96for 1,491yards, 20touchdowns and two interceptions, adding 581yards and 11touchdowns on 66carries.
QB Ryan Maloy, Sr., Avon
The 2017Wilhelm Award winner had another stellar season, leading the Eagles to the state semifinals and helping Avon be the only Morning Journal area team still alive in the postseason. He did that behind a season that has seen him go 146-for-252 for 1,927yards with a stellar 24-to-8touchdown to interception ratio. He’s also rushed for 1,029yards and 15touchdowns on 124 carries and even has a receiving touchdown under his belt.
RB Leighton Banjoff, Sr., Elyria Catholic
The Nebraska baseball commit was one of the best two-way players in The Morning Journal area and made his final season on the gridiron count. A Wilhelm Award finalist, Banjoff made his presence felt on offense to the tune of 1,566yards and 19touchdowns on 155 carries (8.2avg. per carry). He also caught 17passes for 275yards and two touchdowns. At linebacker, he was just as good, posting 130tackles (61solo) with a pair of pick-sixes to go with four tackles for a loss, two sacks, five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
RB Daylin Dower, Jr., Lorain
The Titans’ standout made the most of a light amount of carries this season, rushing 107times for 1,204yards and 11touchdowns for a Morning Journal area leading 11.2yards per carry. He added 15receptions for 204yards and a touchdown.
RB Khennedy Scagliozzo, Sr., Amherst
A two-time Wilhelm Award finalist, Scagliozzo pulled of yet another fantastic season. The senior ended his Comets’ career by leading The Morning Journal area with 1,854yards on 251carries, scoring 28times. That was not the only way Scagliozzo made teams pay, as he brought back three kickoffs for touchdowns and averaged 31.5yards per punt as a punter.
RB Jack Spellacy, Sr., Olmsted Falls
Whether it be Avon, Avon Lake, Amherst or Berea-Midpark, Spellacy, a 2018Wilhelm Award finalist, had the knack of playing his best in the Bulldogs’ biggest games. He ended the season with 1,728yards and 25touchdowns on 204carries, adding three touchdowns and 233yards on eight receptions. Those numbers were good enough to earn him Division II Offensive Player of the Year honors for the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association Northeast Lakes District.
WR Tyshawn Lighty, Jr., Lorain
Lighty emerged as an all-around threat for Lorain this season, notching 637yards and 11touchdowns on 38receptions and adding 334yards and five touchdowns on 32carries.
WR Edwin Ralat, Sr., Midview
Ralat was a major bright spot for the Middies this season. The senior led The Morning Journal area in receiving touchdowns (12), was third in yards (820), 10th in receptions (38) and sixth in yards per reception among receivers with more than 10receptions (21.6).
OL Ryan Beckman, Sr., Avon Lake
Without Beckman, the Avon Lake offense would not be anywhere near as dynamic. The senior was a key blocker for the Shoremen rushing game. He graded out at 90-percent while tallying 39pancakes.
OL Michael Bergen, Sr., Avon
The Toledo-bound Bergen was the catalyst to Avon’s offensive success. Behind him, the Eagles rushed for over 4,000yards and are still alive in the playoffs.
OL Sam Lofton, Sr., Olmsted Falls
An amazing blocker. When a defensive lineman saw Lofton lined up across from him, he knew a sack was not going to happen. The senior was a key blocker on a line that aided the Bulldogs to 3.566 rushing yards, 1,258passing yards and 62total touchdowns.
OL Brandon Moore, Sr., Clearview
Moore was the highest graded lineman on a 10-2Clippers’ regional semifinalist team that was run-first in every possible definition of the word. The senior was often called upon to create the holes for an offense that wracked up over 2,000rushing yards.
OL Logan Wos, Sr., Columbia
The Raiders’ senior could play both tackle and guard. But he did not simply fill in there. Whichever position he played, he was the best on the Columbia line. Often the lead blocker for Matt Wilhelm Award winner Brandon Coleman, Wos was the secret behind Columbia’s sustained success over the last four years.
ATH Blake Ruffner, Sr., Firelands
The Falcons’ senior was the embodiment of an athlete this season, splitting time at quarterback, wide receiver and running back, while also playing defense. Ruffner was 90-for-171for 1,119yards, eight touchdowns and seven interceptions as a QB, adding 796yards and 10touchdowns on 128carries as an RB and capping it with 19receptions for 207yards and four touchdowns as a WR. In all, Ruffner had 2,122all-purpose yards and 22touchdowns.
K Harry Hebert, Jr., Avon Lake
The Avon Lake kicker was as clutch as they come, personally helping to deliver multiple Avon Lake victories. For the season, Hebert was a perfect 50-for-50on point after attempts, going 4 of 5on field goals with a long of 33yards.
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE DL Griffin Davies, Sr., Elyria Catholic
The OPSWA Division V defensive player of the year undoubtedly earned the distinction. Playing on a team that often times had a defense that did not get its due credit, Davies shined. The senior had 173tackles (74solo) with 27.5tackles for a loss and nine sacks, adding nine quarterback hurries and a defense touchdown.
DL Trae Henderson, Sr., Olmsted Falls
The Bulldogs’ senior was a load for opposing offenses to handle. Henderson notched 71tackles — including 17for a loss and 12 sacks — and forced a fumble this season.
DL Tyler Jones, Sr., North Olmsted
One of the top two-way players in the area, Jones was a key part of the Eagles’ successful debut season in their new stadium. The senior had 76tackles (24solo) with 10tackles for a loss, four sacks, 17quarterback pressures, two caused fumbles and an outstanding four blocked kicks. He was also a top offensive lineman for North Olmsted and the snapper on field goals and point after attempts.
DL Kevin McLeeson, Sr., Lutheran West
McLeeson had a habit of not only being a harassment in the backfield, but making his time back there count. The Longhorns’ senior had 85tackles on the season with 29-percent of those going for a loss (25TFL). He added nine sacks and three fumble recoveries.
DL Jack Roesch, Sr., Avon
The Air Force commit was a player that offensive lines hated seeing. Roesch has 52tackles, with 10of them solo and a pair of fumble recoveries, but his ability to get into the backfield is where he shined. The senior had 21quarterback pressures, 11tackles for a loss and eight sacks, proving to be a major reason why the Eagles are still alive in the playoffs.
DL Francis Sherman, Sr., Bay
The Rockets’ defense was its bread and butter again this year, and Sherman is a big reason why. The Great Lakes Conference defensive player of the year was a load of offenses to stop, posting 53tackles (24solo), five tackles for a loss, 2.5sacks and a blocked kick — all while being doubled-teamed the majority of plays.
LB Darren Anders, Sr., North Olmsted
The North Olmsted senior is the definition of a jack-of-all-trades. Anders, a Bowling Green recruit posted 97tackles (24solo) with 12 tackles for a loss, 10.5sacks, five caused fumbles, 23quarterback pressures and two passes defended. He was no slouch on offense, either, gathering 1,877all-purpose yards and 21touchdowns.
LB Stephen Ferguson III, Sr., Elyria Catholic
The Panthers’ senior was a big reason for Elyria Catholic’s success this season. Ferguson tallied 142tackles (58solo) to go with 24.5tackles for a loss and 4.5sacks. In addition, he had two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
LB Ian McClintock, Jr., Fairview
The Warriors’ senior had his name everywhere on defense this year. McClintock had 91tackles 954solo), including 10.5for a loss and 2.5sacks. He added three quarterback pressures, two caused fumbles and three blocked punts.
LB Nathan Soto, Sr., Amherst
The Comets’ defense was one of the top in The Morning Journal area all season, and Soto was at the forefront of the charge. The senior posted 84tackles (58solo), 14tackles for a loss, six sacks and one interception.
DB Luke Fedders, Sr., Avon Lake
The Avon Lake offense got plenty of praise, but it was the defense that set it up to shine, with Fedders one of the key contributors. The senior scored twice on defense this season, along with an impressive line of 56tackles (33solo), four tackles for a loss, four interceptions a blocked kick and six passes broken up. He added a stellar line of 31receptions for 615yards and four touchdowns on offense.
DB DeAnte Furry, Sr., Lutheran West
An all-around athlete, Furry was a big reason the Longhorns had one of the most feared defenses in the Patriot Athletic Conference. The senior posted 84tackles including 11for a loss and three sacks. He added a pair of fumble recoveries.
DB David Griffin, Jr., Elyria Catholic
The junior was a player that teams tried to avoid passing against whenever possible. He posted 86tackles (50solo) with four interceptions and five passes broken up. He also had a tackle for a loss.
DB Michael Howard, Sr., Olmsted Falls
After not giving up a touchdown his junior season, Howard had a tough act to follow. And all the senior did was match that this year. The Bulldogs’ ballhawk posted 45tackles and seven pass breakups as teams quickly learned he was not one to try and pass against. He added 900yards on offense with 12touchdowns — including two on kickoff returns.
DB Dylan Naylor, Jr., Keystone
The Wildcats had a surge in the second half of the season, with Naylor acting as the spark. The junior posted 95tackles and three interceptions, but also played offense, where he has 1,012yards and 17touchdowns on 147carries, adding a receiving touchdown for good measure.
P Patrick Green, Sr., Rocky River
When the Pirates’ offense was unable to score, Green made sure to give the defense plenty of help. The senior’s 36punts went for an average of 35.8yards. Seven of those punts were downed inside the 20.
SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
QB Michael Finnegan, Sr., Rocky River: Was 208-for-327for 2,480yards, 19touchdowns and eight interceptions.
QB Jordan Jackson, Jr., Lorain: Was 125-for-201for 1,596 yards, 20touchdowns and three interceptions, adding 83carries for 294yards and seven touchdowns.
QB Jack Mikolich, Sr., Avon Lake: Was 113-for-190for 1,852 yards, 17touchdowns and seven interceptions, adding 209 yards and 10touchdowns on 53carries.
RB Ravon Eisom, Sr., Oberlin: Had 155carries for 986yards (6.4 avg.) and nine touchdowns, adding three two-point conversions.
RB Drew Engle, Sr., Clearview: Had 202carries for 1,174yards
(5.8avg.) and 17touchdowns.
RB Nick Perusek, Jr., Avon: In seven of the Eagles’ 13games, Perusek had 131carries for 1,276yards (9.7avg.) and 14touchdowns, adding eight receptions for 173yards and two touchdowns.
RB Konner Riggs, Sr., Avon Lake: Had 273carries for 1,839 yards (6.7average) and 26touchdowns.
WR Alex Angle, So., Firelands: Had 832yards and seven
touchdowns on 57receptions.
WR Isiah Johnson, Sr., Midview: Caught 44passes for 879 yards and five touchdowns, adding 10carries for 189yards and three touchdowns.
TE Nick Laposky, Jr., Wellington: Had 10receptions for 90 yards and three touchdowns in an offense scheme that primarily used him as a blocker.
OL Patrick Nosan, Sr., Bay: Could play any spot on the line if needed. Helped the Rockets to over 2,200rushing yards and 22 touchdowns.
OL Joe Svec, Jr., Avon: Physical blocker who rarely missed his assignment. Helped the Eagles rush for over 4,000yards this season.
OL Nick Vance, Sr., Olmsted Falls: The Air force commit was key to a line that blocked for over 3,500rushing yards and 1,250 passing yards for a total of 62touchdowns.
ATH Jonah Pfeil, Sr., Vermilion: Had 29receptions for 585 yards and five touchdowns, adding 39carries for 120yards and a touchdown. Also had a kick return for a touchdowns, a 33yard punting average and a 20.3-yard punt return average.
ATH Jacob Shackelford, Jr., Keystone: Was 86-for-162for 1,034yards, five touchdowns and six interceptions, adding 1,134 yards and 17touchdowns on 96carries for an 11.8average per carry.
K Erik Henderson, Sr., Amherst: Was 42of 44on point after attempts and 5of 6on field goals with a long of 45. Also, 95-percent of his kickoffs were touchbacks.
SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
DL Christian Cabot, Sr., Avon Lake: Tallied 67tackles (34 solo), six tackles for a loss, five sacks, three quarterback hurries, a blocked kick and a forced fumble.
DL Julian Colbert, Sr., Clearview: Had 46tackles (28solo), 17tackles for a loss, three sacks, two fumbles recovered and a fumble caused.
DL CJ Fleming, Jr., Clearview: Had 56tackles (37solo), 17 tackles for a loss, nine sacks, three quarterback hurries, three passes defended and a fumble recovery.
DL Tommy Pettry, Sr., Olmsted Falls: Had 35tackles, 17 tackles for a loss, seven sacks and two forced fumbles in spite of frequent double-teams.
LB Ross Hartman, Sr., Rocky River: Injury-hampered season hurt his numbers a bit. Had 69tackles (49solo), 11tackles for a loss, three sacks, and a forced fumble.
LB David Renftle, Sr., Clearview: Tallied 80tackles (44solo), nine tackles for a loss, two sacks, three quarterback hurries, three interceptions (two returned for touchdowns) and a fumble recovered for a touchdown.
LB Connor Shell, Sr., Bay: Transitioned from quarterback to running back and linebacker with great ease. Tallied 56tackles (23solo), three tackles for a loss and a pick-six.
LB Danny Snakovsky, Sr., Columbia: The Raiders’ field general on defense. Had 115tackles (63solo), seven tackles for a loss and two sacks.
LB Mark Steinmetz, Sr., Avon: Posted 104tackles (22solo), 12quarterback pressures, 10tackles for a loss, three sacks, three caused fumbles and three interceptions.
LB Kelvin Torres, Sr., Lorain: Posted 96tackles (45solo), five sacks, two caused fumbles, a fumble recovery and three quarterback hurries.
DB Braden Galaska, Sr., Olmsted Falls: A classic ballhawk on one of The Journal area’s top defenses. Had 53tackles, nine pass breakups and four interceptions.
DB Turner Hahn, Sr., Fairview: Posted 36tackles (21solo), four pass breakups, two caused fumbles, a fumble recovery and four interceptions.
DB Daishaun Hill, Sr., Rocky River: Great at getting a jump on the offense. Had 44tackles (30solo), 10pass breakups, five fumble recoveries and an interception.
DB Joseph Norris, Jr., Clearview: Had 28tackles (21solo), three tackles for a loss, four interceptions (two returned for touchdowns) and four passes defended, adding a receiving touchdown and two punt return touchdowns.
DB Cole Schraff, Sr., Avon Lake: Teams would avoid passing at him when possible. Had 43tackles (28solo), three tackles for a loss, two interceptions, eight pass breakups and a forced fumble.
P Asa Kempton, Sr., Elyria Catholic: Averaged 42.7yards per punt, dropping 11inside the 20, seven inside the 10and had seven punts of over 50yards with a long of 70.
THIRD TEAM OFFENSE
QB Andrew Gooch, Sr., Midview: 175-for-329, 2,673yards, 21TD, four int.
QB Austin Kim, Jr., Lutheran West: 76-for-117, 1,326 yards, 15 TD, four int., 58 car., 312 yards, five TD.
QB Jacob May, Sr., Westlake: 152-for-271, 1,908yards, 20
TD, 13int. RB JJ Coleman, Sr., Westlake: 196car., 1,161yards (5.9avg.), six TD. RB Jack Provenza, Sr., Fairview: 157car., 801yards (5.1avg.), 14TD. RB Andrew Veverka, Sr., Bay: 101car., 590yards (5.8avg.), 11TD. WR David Griffin, Jr., Elyria Catholic: 46rec., 771yards, eight TD. WR Ryan Jones, Sr., Avon: 38rec., 717yards, 11TD.
WR Shawn Naim, Sr., Lutheran West: 36rec., 536yards, seven TD.
TE Michael Shoaf, Sr., Rocky River: 24rec., 281yards, four TD, four car., 24yards, two TD, graded out at 87-percent on 539snaps, 2pancakes.
OL Jack Decker, Sr., Elyria Catholic: 21pancakes, did not
allow a sack.
OL Nick Milluzzi, Sr., Columbia: An Air Force offered lineman who created holes for Wilhelm Award winner Brandon Coleman.
OL Tyler Perry, Sr., North Rideville: Best lineman on the
Rangers who often was lead blocker.
OL Ergi Sulce, Jr., Rocky River: Graded out at 86-percent on 609snaps, 17pancakes, three sacks allowed.
ATH Mason McClellan Jr., Wellington: 200car., 799yards, four TD, 17rec., 357yards, four TD, passing TD, kickoff return TD.
K Owen Bebie, Jr., Rocky River: 28of 52PAT, 7of 11FG, long
of 40yards.
THIRD TEAM DEFENSE
DL Tim Borgmann, Sr., Brookside: 24.5tackles, 0.5sacks, eight TFL, two fum. recoveries.
DL Harry Dumfeh, Sr., Fairview: 50tackles, five TFL, two sacks, two QB hurries, two caused fum., two fum. recoveries.
DL Jake Lezon, Sr., Amherst: 72tackles (47solo), three TFL, five sacks, two forced fum., one fum. recovery.
DL Dylan Reins, Sr., Olmsted Falls: 44tackles, 14TFL, nine
sacks, fum. recovery. LB Cael Bright, Jr., North Ridgeville: 72tackles (44solo), five sacks, nine TFL, two int.
LB Sam Caruso, Sr., Firelands: 107tackles (26solo), seven TFL, two forced fum., three fum. recoveries.
LB Nick Dailey, Sr., Olmsted Falls: 87tackles, eight TFL, seven sacks, interception, forced fum., fum. recovery.
LB Zach Evans, Sr., Lorain: 69tackles (32solo), six sacks, three caused fum., one fum. recovery, nine QB hurries and an interception.
LB Riley Horning, Jr., Oberlin: 135tackles, eight TFL, interception, four passes defended, fum. recovery.
LB Gavin Norris, Jr., Keystone: 117tackles, seven TFL, two sacks.
DB Ty Allgood, Sr., Elyria: 89tackles, three sacks, two fum. recoveries, two caused fum., a punt block and a defensive TD.
DB Bailey Coleman, Sr., Columbia: 26tackles, six passes
defended, rarely thrown at. DB Gerald McHenry Jr., Sr., Lutheran West: 72tackles, eight TFL, one sack.
DB Hunter Piguet, Sr., Rocky River: 69tackles (47solo), three TFL, one sack, four int., one fum. recovery.
DB Max Showalter, Sr., Bay: 65tackles (23solo), interception, six passes broken up, fum. recovery, defensive TD.
P Adam Nemeth, Sr., Fairview: 30punts, 1,034yards, 34.5
average punt, 52long.
Amherst: Danny Makruski Avon: Tommy Purcell; Avon Lake: Jackson Armbrecht; Bay: Nick Buttari; Brookside: Kenny Grobolsek; Clearview: Dylan Russ; Columbia: Cole Schwartz;
Elyria: Ben Doehr; Elyria Catholic: Branson Taylor; Fairview: Marty Rehor; Firelands: Caden Bomback; Keystone: Cory Hartle;
Lorain: Cairo Smith; Lutheran West: Hunter Albers Midview: Seth Sanders; North Olmsted: Collin Strong; North Ridgeville: Cade Riley; Oberlin: Aaron Arnold; Olmsted Falls: Jake Politowski; Rocky River: Cristain Dean; Vermilion: Addison Painter, Seth
Hurd; Wellington: Jayson Keenan; Westlake: Jacob Jablonski