Mayfield grads lead midseason football report

The college football season is at the midway point, and many area players are having successful seasons.

Here’s an update of a select number of standouts on offense and defense:

Offense

QUARTERBACK » Noah Mitchell (Euclid), Fr., California (Pa.) — Mitchell is averaging 303 yards in six starts and is completing 61 percent of his passes. He’s thrown for 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

RUNNING BACK » Michael Canganelli (Mayfield), So., John Carroll — Canganelli has emerged as JCU’s best player on offense. In five games, he’s rushed for 432 yards, caught 12 passes for 170 more and has five total touchdowns. RUNNING BACK » Marcus Jones (Riverside), Sr., Gannon — In six games, Jones has 712 yards rushing and eight touchdowns. Against Seton Hill Oct. 6, Jones has 264 yards and four TDs. RUNNING BACK » Josh Petruccelli (Perry), So., Mount Union — Petruccelli is the leading rusher on the nation’s No. 1 team in Division III. He’s averaging

just eight carries a game, but averaging 8.1 yards per attempt for 332 yards. He also has four touchdowns. WIDE RECEIVER » Marvelle Ross (VASJ), Jr., Notre Dame College — The Falcons (7-0, ranked No. 17 in D-II) are having a special season, and Ross is a huge reason for that success. He has 42 receptions for 655 yards and five touchdowns. He’s also returned a punt for a TD. WIDE RECEIVER » Andy Isabellla (Mayfield), Sr., UMass — All-America honors should be brewing for Isabella. In seven games, he has 54 receptions for 839 yards and eight touchdowns. OFFENSIVE LINE » Kyle Ritz (South), Sr., Akron — Ritz is a 6-foot-6, 315-pound senior who’s started every

game this fall at right guard for the Zips, and was also voted a team captain.

Defense

DEFENSIVE LINE » Brian Hunter (Mayfield), Sr., Ohio Dominican — Hunter has 20 tackles this season, with 1 ½ sacks, and 4 ½ TFLs. DEFENSIVE LINE » Kent Berger (Mentor), Sr., Ohio — In five games, Berger, a team captain, has 17 sacks and two sacks. DEFENSIVE LINE » Conner Bogard (Benedictine), Jr., John Carroll — Bogard is one of many talented players on the D-Line for JCU. For the season, he has 20 tackles, two sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss. LINEBACKER » Chad Stalnaker (Lake Catholic), Jr., John Carroll — Stalnaker is the Blue Streaks’ quarterback

on defense, and has 20 tackles, two sacks, and an interception. DEFENSIVE BACK » Cam Jefferies (Riverside), Jr., Cincinnati — The Bearcats are 6-0, and cracked the Top 25 rankings this week. Jefferies graduated at Bowling Green in two years, so he could transfer to UC and not sit out a year. The move has paid off, as Jefferies is a starter at one cornerback position. DEFENSIVE BACK » Connor Robinson (Lake Catholic), Sr., John Carroll — Robinson has been tough to beat at cornerback. He’s broken up 11 passes this fall. DEFENSIVE BACK » Tyshawn Jones (Euclid), Jr., John Carroll — Jones is second on the team with 24 tackles and leads the team with three interceptions.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE UMass receiver Andy Isabella is shown earlier this season.