The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
WHO WAS GRIDIRON BEST OF THE 2010S?
John Kampf breaks down his selections of The News-Herald coverage area’s best in high school football in the 2010s. Mentor graduate Mitch Trubisky threw for 9,126 yards and 92 touchdowns and ran for 1,559 yards and 33 touchdowns in his decorated career and was named as quarterback on the team. Who else made the list?
The News-Herald’s all-decade football team, with players from 2010-2019. Each player is listed by their high school, graduation year and where they went to play at college:
OFFENSE QB Mitch Trubisky, Mentor, 2013, North Carolina:
Threw for 9,126 yards and 92 touchdowns, ran for 1,559yards and 33 touchdowns. Ohio’s 2012 Mr. Football.
RB Kareem Hunt, South, 2012, Toledo:
In his final two years with South, he ran for 5,204yards and scored 83 touchdowns. A two-time AllOhioan.
RB Jack Porter, Kenston, 2020, Wake Forest:
Ran for 5,065 yards and 65 touchdowns, earning first team All-Ohio honors three times in his career.
RB Joey Torok, Kirtland, 2019, John Carroll:
Ran for 4,704 yards in his career with the Hornets, who went 54-4 with two state titles with Torok in the starting lineup.
WR Brandon Fritts, Mentor, 2014, North Carolina:
Had 166catches for 2,920yards and 36 touchdowns for the Cardinals.
WR Conner Krizancic, Mentor, 2014, Minnesota/Ohio:
Ultra-versatile. Threw for 33 touchdowns, ran for 33touchdowns and caught 28 touchdown passes in his career.
TE Luke Farrell, Perry, 2016, Ohio State:
An All-Ohio tight end at Perry, he averaged 17 yards per reception and was the 7th-ranked tight end in the nation his senior year.
OL Nick Samac, Mentor, 2019, Michigan State:
All-Ohio tackle dominated in his final two years with the Cardinals.
OL Ryan Jacoby, Mentor, 2019, Ohio State:
Two-time first-team Division I All-Ohioan. Was one of the top prospects in Ohio his senior year.
OL Jack Bailey, Kirtland, 2019, Kent State:
Considered on of the top linemen in program history. Two-time AllOhioan is insanely strong, with his bench, squat and deadlift adding up to more than 1,200 pounds.
OL Nik Urban, South, 2015, Northwestern:
All-Ohio lineman dominated for three years with the Rebels and is now a starter for the Northwestern Wildcats.
OL Chase Hounshell, Lake, 2010, Florida/Notre Dame/ Ohio State:
Could have been a candidate for the defensive side of the ball, too. Versatile, quick, strong All-Ohioan for the Cougars.
ATH Jaylen Anderson, Perry, 2021, West Virginia commit:
He heads into his senior year having rushed for 2,642 yards, with 108catches for 1,642 yards and a total of 63 touchdowns.
K Gabe Brkic, NDCL, 2018, Oklahoma:
The most powerful leg to come through The News-Herald coverage area. Now the starting kicker for the Oklahoma Sooners, he was a two-time All-Ohio kicker, but also a very good punter.
DEFENSE DL Noah Potter, Mentor, 2019, Ohio State:
A two-time All-Ohioan, he had 158tackles, 20TFLs and 16sacks despite getting constant double teams from the opposition.
DL Canon Schroeder, Kirtland, 2013:
A three-time, firstteam All-Ohioan, you could mark him down for double-digit sacks every year. The most disruptive defensive lineman in Kirtland history.
DL Manni Malone, NDCL, 2018, Amherst College:
A three-time All-Ohioan, he piled up 309tackles and 105TFLs while also getting time at running back for the Lions.
DL Tom Strobel, Mentor, 2011, Michigan:
Dominating defensive end who had 59 tackles and 11sacks as a senior. Was the 10th-ranked player in Ohio his senior year.
LB Chase Kline, Chardon, 2019, Michigan State:
Twotime All-Ohioan was the D-III defensive player of the year in Ohio after 129tackles, 23TFLs and nine sacks his senior year.
LB Jerome Baker, Benedictine 2015, Ohio State:
You could have put him at linebacker or running back and he’d be the best player on the field. A three-time All-Ohioan who is now with the Dolphins.
LB Christian Hauber, Kirtland, 2011, Air Force:
The best linebacker in Kirtland history. He was a multi-time All-Ohio honoree. He played running back, too, and was just as dangerous there.
LB Kurt Laseak, Mentor, 2011, Ohio:
Had more than 200tackles, six interceptions and two fumble recoveries for scores in his final two years.
DB Justin Layne, Benedictine 2016, Michigan State:
All-Ohio cornerback also played receiver at Benedictine. Starred and Michigan State and is now with the Steelers.
DB Ishmael Hargrove, Gilmour, 2014, Buffalo:
Earned first-team All-Ohio status with 120tackles and 10sacks as a senior. Had a strong career at Buffalo.
DB Nick Law, Madison, 2016:
Very few tried to throw Law’s way. In his best year, his junior year, he had 70tackles and 13 pass breakups.
DB Arquon Bush, Euclid, 2016, Cincinnati:
Earned All-Ohio honors after becoming a lockdown corner for the Panthers who also found time to return six punts for touchdowns his senior year.
ATH Jake Reid, Perry, 2019, John Carroll:
A two-time All-Ohioan, and D-IV defensive player of the year as a junior, he had 22interceptions in his final two seasons — 14as a junior.
P Will Hart, University, 2016, Michigan:
One of the top punters in the nation his senior year, he averaged 43.1yards per punt with exceptional hang time.