Mike Elder, Avon

COACH OF THE YEAR

Mike Elder takes home the honor after guiding his team to the playoffs for the 11th consecutive season. The Eagles went undefeated in the regular season and won their fifth consecutive conference title. The team reached the state semifinal for the fourth straight year and came close to advancing to the state championship game after a close loss to Akron Hoban.

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

(Alphabetical order by position)

QB Niko Pappas, Sr., Avon

Threw for 1,839 yards and 21 touchdowns, while also running for 700 yards and nine scores for the 10-1 Eagles. He completed 66% of his passes.

QB Konner Rodick, So., Keystone

Threw for 1,455 yards and 16 touchdowns. He averaged 182 passing yards per game and completed 63% of his passes.

RB Gage Duesler, Sr., Avon Lake

Ran for 934 yards and 16 touchdowns on 134 carries. Is a shifty, change-of-pace back who slipped between tackles.

RB Joe Governale, Sr., Columbia

Ran for 981 yards and scored 13 touchdowns on 185 carries in nine games. He averaged 5.3 yards per carry, converted four twopoint conversions and is a tough runner that wasn’t easy to bring down.

RB Devon Hunter, Sr., Avon

Ran for 862 yards on 136 carries, caught 11 passes for 132 yards and scored 13 touchdowns. A powerful runner who shed tackles.

WR Hiram Carreras, Sr., Clearview

Led The Morning Journal coverage area with 44 catches, racked up 542 receiving yards and scored three total TDs. Compiled 1,004 all purpose yards.

WR Ryne Shackelford, So., Keystone

He caught 34 passes for 728 yards (21.4 average). Shackelford also rushed for 98 yards and two scores. Additionally, two of his 13 total touchdowns this season came on kick returns.

WR Ty Weatherspoon, Sr., Amherst

He caught 28 passes for 553 yards and five touchdowns in seven games. Big play threat who racked up 209 yards receiving in a game this season.

OL Mason Bingham, Sr., Avon

The glue of the Eagles’ offensive line at center. Three-year starter for Avon and the team only lost four games during his time as a starter.

OL Simon France, Sr., Elyria

A force for the Pioneers up front. Graded out 90% and has several collegiate offers.

OL Alex Padgett, Sr., Avon Lake

A Bowling Green commit who dominated whoever lined up across from him. Graded out 88%, with 39 pancake blocks.

OL Alex Pataky, Sr., Keystone

The anchor on a line that helped teammate Gideon Lampron rush for over 1,600 yards. Started every game since his sophomore season.

OL Seth Robinette, Sr., Firelands

Protected quarterback Kyle Ransom’s blindside. Graded out 90% for the Falcons, who rushed for over 2,000 yards.

ATH Anthony Guercio, Sr., North Olmsted Threw for 1,044 yards and five touchdowns, and also ran for 533 yards on 102 carries (5.2 average) and 12 touchdowns. He completed 63% of his passes.

K Owen Wiley, Jr., Avon Lake

He converted all 39 of his extra points and made 14 field goals, including a 44-yard kick.

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

DL Jesse Stevens, Sr., Elyria

Had a big senior year for the Pioneers, with 16 sacks, 24 TFLs, 54 tackles, three fumble recoveries and one interception.

DL Jack Valerius, Sr., Firelands

A force off the edge for a stout Falcons defense. He racked up 74 tackles, 17 TFLs, 12.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one defensive touchdown.

DL Kadyn Viancourt, Sr., Avon Lake

Got to the quarterback often. He racked up 30 solo and 16 assisted tackles, nine TFLs, 10.5 sacks, nine QB pressures, one interception and one defensive TD.

LB Ryan Baxter, Sr., Firelands

Helped propel the Falcons’ defense to the next level in 2020. Led the team in tackles with 88, had seven TFLs, one sack and one INT.

LB Nate Cikalo, Sr., Avon Lake

A key piece to Avon Lake’s defense. Racked up 50 solo tackles, 26 assists, six TFLs, 0.5 sacks, four QB pressures, two INTs, two PBUs, one fumble recovery and two defensive scores.

LB Hayden Garrow, So., Columbia

Tallied 81 tackles (53 solo, 28 assists), seven TFLs, three QB hurries and two PBUs in nine games.

LB Karson Nail, Jr., Brookside

Has a knack for getting behind the line of scrimmage in a hurry. Had 15 solo tackles, 80 assists, one sack, 10 TFLs, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.

LB Drew Unangst, Jr., Wellington

Racked up 92 tackles, four TFLs, two sacks, one INT and one PBU.

DB Perryion Benton, Sr., Elyria

Had a nose for the ball. Racked up seven INTs, 11 PBUs, 35 tackles and two sacks.

DB Cullen Gergye, Sr., Bay

A stout defender in the Rockets’ secondary. Had 23 tackles (13 solo), two INTs and one defensive score.

DB Billy Simpson, Sr., Avon Lake

A ball hawk in the Shoremen’s secondary. Tallied 34 tackles, 19 assists, two TFLs, four INTs and three PBUs.

DB Alden Steele, Sr., Amherst

Had 64 tackles (62 solo), three INTs and six PBUs.

ATH Kenny Grobolsek, Jr., Brookside

Was all over the field for the Cardinals. He led the team in rushing with 763 yards and 10 TDs. He also threw for 573 yards and two TDs and caught six passes for 39 yards. As a kick returner, he returned 18 kicks for 314 yards.

P Arlind Bengu, Sr., Avon

Is headed to UMass to punt. Punted 23 times for 964 yards and averaged 41.91 yards per punt. He dropped four kicks inside the 10 yard line and frequently pinned opposing offenses deep in their own territory.

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

QB Tyler Brezina, Sr., Amherst: Threw for 1,240 yards and 14 touchdowns in seven games. He averaged 177.1 passing yards per game, completed 53% of his passes and also had two rushing TDs.

QB Michael Corbo, Sr., Avon Lake: Threw for 1,316 yards and seven touchdowns. He completed 59% of his passes and also ran for 357 yards and five TDs.

RB Jaheim Atkinson, Sr., Elyria: touchdowns in seven games.

RB Will Ostrowski, So., Westlake: Ran for 955 yards (6.1 YPC) and nine touchdowns on 158 carries in nine games. He also caught 17 passes for 200 yards and one score.

RB Andrew Parkowski, Sr., Olmsted Falls: Bruising back was hard to bring down. He ran for 697 yards and 13 touchdowns in seven games.

WR Jon Brasee, Jr., Wellington: and six touchdowns.

WR Jaret Frantz, Sr., Elyria Catholic: Had 28 catches for 430 yards and eight touchdowns in six games.

WR Owen Menge, Jr., Columbia: Led the Raiders with 30 catches for 576 yards and five touchdowns.

OL Caden Boetticher, Sr., Firelands: Graded out 90% and helped the Falcons rush for over 2,000 yards.

OL Joe Lubertozzi, Jr., Avon Lake: Graded out 87% and had 13 pancake blocks.

OL Jacob McCabe, Sr., Olmsted Falls: Olmsted Falls’ top lineman. The two-year starter helped the Bulldogs rush for an average of 313 yards per game.

OL Trevor Prudhoe, Jr., Bay: Top lineman for the Rockets as he allowed no sacks in 2020. Helped the team rush for over 1,200 yards.

OL Ryan Roark, Sr., Elyria Catholic: The three-year starter allowed one sack and had 55 pancake blocks in six games.

ATH Donald Crawford, Sr., Firelands: Did damage on both sides of the ball. On offense, he ran for 707 yards and 12 touchdowns and took over as the starting running back in Week 6. On defense, he racked up 77 tackles, 11 TFLs, one sack, one safety, two INTs and one defensive score.

ATH Ethan Surdock, Jr., Midview: Threw for 1,276 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also ran for 288 yards and five scores.

K Nathanial Vakos, Jr., Avon: Converted on all 49 of his extrapoint attempts and made five field goals, including a 40-plus yard kick. Often booted kickoffs through the back of the end zone with his powerful leg.

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

DL Cameron Coleman, Sr., Columbia: Finished second on the team with 63 tackles (46 solo) and led the team with 14 TFLs and six sacks. He also had 17 assists, 13 QB hurries and one fumble recovery. Drew numerous offensive holding penalties throughout the season as opponents tried to slow him down.

DL Lavell Gibson, Sr., Amherst: Will be playing at the collegiate level next fall and showed why this season. He racked up 52 tackles (47 solo), nine sacks, three TFLs and 13 QB pressures in seven games.

DL Jacob Sintic, Sr., Avon Lake: Was good at getting after opposing quarterbacks. Had 46 tackles, 21 assists, 14 TFLs, eight sacks, three QB pressures, two blocked kicks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one defensive score.

DL Caleb Teague, Sr., Wellington: Racked up 52 tackles, 14 TFLs, six sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one PBU.

LB Griffin Lidyard, Sr., Avon Lake: Tallied 32 solo tackles, 30 assisted tackles, seven TFLs, 4.5 sacks, two interceptions, one PBU and one forced fumble.

LB Christian Pataky, Jr., Keystone:

83 tackles and seven TFLs.

LB Isaac Paxton, Sr., Fairview: Had 74 tackles (46 solo), 12 TFLs, one interception, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and three QB hurries.

LB Arrington Taylor, So. Westlake: Racked up 100 tackles (45 solo), five sacks, eight TFLs and two forced fumbles.

LB Ethan Young, Sr., Vermilion: Racked up 102 tackles, 13 TFLs, four sacks and two INTs.

DB Alex Angle, Sr., Firelands: one defensive touchdown.

DB Nick Buttari, Sr., Bay: Playmaker in the secondary for the Rockets. Had 68 tackles (32 solo), four TFLs, one sack, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and nine PBUs.

DB Jayden Skinner, Sr., Wellington: Had 52 tackles, three INTs, four PBUs and one forced fumble.

DB Kosta Thrasivoulou, Jr., North Ridgeville: A key piece to the Rangers’ secondary. Had 56 tackles, one forced fumble, one defensive score and led the coverage area with four INTs.

P Drew Kanaba, Sr., Olmsted Falls: Averaged 34 yards per punt. He also kicked for the Bulldogs and made 30 of 32 extra points and two field goals.

THIRD TEAM OFFENSE

Ran for 1,088 yards and 10

Tallied 84 tackles, three INTs and

QB Robert Davis, Sr., Clearview:

Had 26 catches for 530 yards

Second on the team with

Threw for 1,355 yards and nine touchdowns in eight games. He completed 55% of his passes. Also ran for 187 yards and one TD.

QB Steven Navalinsky, Sr., Elyria Catholic: Threw for 1,011 yards and 11 touchdowns in six games. He completed 53% of his passes.

RB Levi Ellis, So., Elyria Catholic: Ran for 524 yards and three touchdowns in six games. He also caught nine passes for 120 yards and one score.

RB Dom Farago, Jr., North Ridgeville: Ran for 530 yards and four touchdowns. He also caught 14 passes for 202 yards and one score.

RB Torre Weatherspoon, Jr., Amherst: Ran for 549 yards and four touchdowns on 89 carries (6.1 average).

WR Dylan Bednar, Sr., Westlake: Had 28 catches for 600 yards and four touchdowns.

WR Caden Bomback, Sr., Firelands: yards and six touchdowns.

WR Michael Ptacek, Sr., Avon: and six touchdowns.

OL Alex Barnhart, Sr., Fairview: Graded out 91% and is the leader on the Warriors’ offensive line.

OL Dain Bartlebaugh, Jr., North Ridgeville: lineman for the Rangers.

OL Nolan Dacek, Sr., Westlake: A Mount Union commit who graded out at over 90% frequently. Had 12 pancake blocks this season and was the anchor on a young offensive line.

OL Jace Diedrick, Jr., Wellington: Led the way for the Dukes’ run-heavy offense. Helped the team rush for over 1,292 yards.

OL Jake Frye, Sr., Avon: Two-year starter for the Eagles. Has a lot of interest from Division I colleges.

OL Thomas Vas, Sr., Olmsted Falls: Key piece to the Bulldogs’ offensive line. Helped the team rush for 313 yards and four rushing touchdowns per game.

ATH Ben Rini, Jr., Vermilion: Accounted for a lot of offense for the Sailors. He threw for 1,132 yards and seven scores and ran for 468 yards and seven TDs. He completed 57% of his passes and accounted for 75% of the team’s offense.

K Matthew O’Donnell, Sr., Brookside: Nailed 15 of 16 extra points and made five field goals. He drilled a 46-yard game winning FG during the season, which was a school record. He was also a punter and averaged 33 yards per kick. He was good at flipping the field for the Cardinals.

THIRD TEAM DEFENSE

Best offensive

DL Chris Douglas, Sr., North Ridgeville:

TFLs and four sacks in eight games.

DL George Hatcher, Sr., Clearview: four sacks and one blocked field goal.

DL Casey Kelley, Sr., Firelands: A force on the Falcons’ defensive line. He racked up 72 tackles, 15 TFLs, 4.5 sacks and one forced fumble.

DL Bryce Sanders, Sr., Midview: A dominant force for the Middies who moved around on the defensive line. He had 26 solo tackles, 29 assists, nine sacks, two TFLs and two interceptions.

LB Taedon Beasley, Jr., North Olmsted: Racked up 84 tackles, six TFLs and three sacks in six games.

LB Ben Croftcheck, Sr., Midview: Had 23 solo tackles, 28 assists, two sacks and two TFLs in eight games.

LB Luke Dieckman, Jr., Olmsted Falls: Led the Bulldogs in tackles and averaged seven tackles per game. He also had three TFLs, two INTs, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one PBU in seven games.

LB Jacob Flesher, Sr., North Ridgeville: sack, 11 TFLs and one forced fumble.

LB Macky Perdue, Sr., Amherst: Had 77 tackles (71 solo), four TFLs, three sacks, 10 QB pressures and one forced fumble.

LB Mason Wheeler, Sr., Avon Lake: Had 21 tackles, 18 assists, six TFLs, four sacks, three QB pressures and three PBUs in six games.

LB Andre Yarber, Jr., Oberlin: Had 60 tackles for the Phoenix and made a big impact on both sides of the ball.

DB Declan Jewitt, Sr., Fairview: Had 55 tackles (34 solo), three TFLs, one sack, two PBUs, one interception and one defensive touchdown.

DB Michael Matlak, Sr., Avon: Three-year starter for the Eagles and was a leader in the secondary.

DB Ty Moore, Jr., Wellington: Racked up 55 tackles, four TFLs and four PBUs.

ATH Justin Wagner, Sr., Vermilion: Was all over the field for the Sailors in all three phases of the game. On offense, he ran for 336 yards and five scores and caught 16 passes for 118 yards and one TD. On special teams, he returned 27 kicks for 502 yards and one score. On defense, he tallied 54 tackles, one INT and one fumble recovery.

P Mason Argenti, Sr., Clearview: for the Clippers.

P Cayden Sherepita, Jr., Wellington: contributor for the Dukes.

HONOR ROLL

Caught 16 passes for 358

Had 30 catches for 439 yards

Had 58 tackles, 10

Had 62 tackles, 12 TFLs,

Had 75 tackles, one

Averaged 35.8 yards per punt

Was a key special teams

Amherst: Jonathan West, George Gotsis, RJ Morales;

Avon: Mitchell Dupras, Desmond Kelly; Avon Lake: Nathan Schillinger, Mitchell Fedders; Bay: Pawie Ault, Hudson Cisneros, Keller Liptrap, Malachi Edgerly, Sean Anthony; Brookside: Collin Thompson, Michael Gomes; Clearview: Sam Clark, Keith Colvin; Columbia: Carter Kalamasz, Lukas McKee, Dominic Governale; Elyria: Andrew Palos; Elyria Catholic: Jack Kenneally, Hayden Gerhart, Tony Grasso, Jack Budinger; Fairview: Nate Glanc, Sean McNamara; Firelands: Kyle Ransom, Carter Janicek, Weston Strader; Keystone: Deghan Rigda; Midview: Bryce Newton, Tyler Smith, Nick Skolnicki, Preston Botos; North Olmsted: Collin Strong, Kosta Ermidis; North Ridgeville: Caden Masterson, Jacob Madis, George Allen Jr.; Oberlin: Dayvion Weatherspoon, Nazir Rountree; Olmsted Falls: Mally Kilbane, Rocco Conti, Charlie Ciolek, Jimmy Cooney, Brendan Corrigan; Vermilion: Uriah Rhoades, Aiden Smith, Bryce Hoerig; Wellington: Kaleb Taylor, Luke McClellan; Westlake: Connor Gregory, Angel Jiminian, Cooper Rummel, Hunter Palmisano

RANDY MEYERS — FOR THE MORNING JOURNAL