2021 DISPATCH ALL-METRO FOOTBALL TEAM
Bailey Johnson
Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY NETWORK
Offensive player of the year: Carson Gresock, Upper Arlington
Defensive player of the year: Gabe Powers, Marysville Coach of the year: Justin Buttermore, Upper Arlington
First team offense
Receiver: MJ Book (West Jefferson) 6-4, 190, sr. Book caught 48 passes for 932 yards, an average of 19.4 yards per catch, and scored 17 touchdowns. He also broke the program’s record for career touchdown receptions.
Receiver: Markez Gillam (Reynoldsburg) 5-5, 160, sr. Gillam’s explosive speed helped him rack up 747 receiving yards on 55 catches and score six receiving touchdowns. He also rushed for 130 yards and two touchdowns, averaged 25.4 yards per kick return for a total of 356 yards and scored one punt-return touchdown.
Receiver: Treyvhon Saunders (Hartley) 5-11, 185, sr. Saunders scored 15 total touchdowns, with 902 receiving yards on 35 catches and another 525 rushing yards on 35 carries, while also contributing at defensive back.
Lineman: Jonathan Harder, Olentangy Berlin, 6-5, 290, sr. Harder, a Cincinnati commit and a three-year starter on both offense and defense, didn’t allow a sack or quarterback pressure all season.
Lineman: Aiden Hernandez, Big Walnut, 6-2, 250, sr. Big Walnut’s offense averaged 45 points per game, and Hernandez’s performance on the offensive line was a key reason why.
Lineman: Cade Leggio, New Albany, 5-10, 200, sr. Anchoring an offensive line that helped New Albany average 46.6 points and 423 yards per game, Leggio allowed zero sacks all year. He graded out at 99% and had 18 pancakes.
Lineman: Gavin Rohrs, Marysville, 6-3, 285, jr. 2021 (9 games): Rohrs, who is committed to Miami University, had 21 pancakes at tackle and helped Marysville rack up 2,169 rushing yards while averaging 32 points per game.
Lineman: Jalen Slappy, Eastmoor Academy, 6-6, 280, sr. A Marshall commit, Slappy had 14 pancakes and was Eastmoor’s best offensive lineman. Quarterback: Tyler Buescher (West Jefferson) 6-0, 155, sr. Buescher, a three-year starter, completed 212 of 297 passes for 2,899 yards and 29 touchdowns. He holds every single-season and career passing record at West Jefferson.
Running back: Jadyn Garnes (New Albany) 6-2, 195, sr. Garnes rushed for 1,416 yards on 153 carries, an average of 9.25 yards per carry, and scored 23 touchdowns while also making three catches for 95 yards. Running back: Carson Gresock (Upper Arlington) 5-10, 220, sr. Gresock started the season with a school-record-breaking 384 rushig yards and didn’t look back from there. He totaled 1,632 yards on the ground on 185 carries and also caught 16 passes for 207 yards. Gresock scored 25 total touchdowns. Running back: Nate Severs (Big Walnut) 5-9, 210, so. In just his first season on varsity, Severs racked up 1,855 rushing yards on 224 carries and scored 33 total touchdowns. He added another 428 yards between kick and punt returns.
Kicker: Zac Yoakam (Upper Arlington) 5-8, 155, sr. Yoakam made all 43 of his extra point attempts and missed just one field goal in seven tries. He also had 41 touchbacks on 55 kickoffs.
First team defense
Lineman: CJ Doggette (Pickerington Central) 6-2, 275, sr. One of four Division I recruits on Pickerington Central’s defensive line, Doggette racked up 58 tackles, including one tackle for loss, a fumble recovery and an interception.
Lineman: Luke Ferrell (Bloom-carroll) 6-3, 225, sr. With 98 tackles, 54 of them solo, Ferrell led a stingy defense that allowed just 20 total points all season. He also had 22 tackles for loss, seven sacks, four forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
Lineman: Kyler Larosa (Dublin Jerome) 6-3, 285, jr. At defensive tackle, Larosa recorded 60 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and six sacks.
Lineman: Daniel Tooson (Hartley) 6-0, 270, sr. Tooson had 10 sacks and 12 tackles for loss on defense while also being Hartley’s lead run-blocker on offense. Linebacker: Eli Coppess (Pickerington North) 6-1, 216, sr. A Miami University commit, Coppess had 59 tackles, 51 of them solo, eight tackles for loss, an interception and three pass breakups. He also had 466 receiving yards, 170 rushing yards, returned kicks and punts and scored eight total touchdowns.
Linebacker: Isaiah Jones (London) 6-3, 230, sr. An Indiana commit, Jones had 89 tackles, two sacks and an interception while also scoring eight touchdowns at running back.
Linebacker: Gabe Powers (Marysville) 6-4, 225, sr. Powers, an Ohio State commit, had 89 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, five sacks, four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and batted down six passes. He also rushed for 552 yards and scored five touchdowns. Linebacker: Mitchell Robinson (Hilliard Bradley) 6-1, 220, sr. A three-year starter, Robinson had 103 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery for a touchdown, an interception and two safeties.
Linebacker: Max Shulaw (Desales) 6-1, 215, so. Shulaw led Desales with 72 tackles, nine tackles for loss, one fumble recovery, two interceptions and two blocked kicks. He scored three defensive touchdowns. Defensive back: Garrett Stover (Big Walnut) 6-2, 195, so. Stover had 68 tackles, nine tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, seven pass breakups and one blocked kick. He’s early in the recruiting process but did take a visit to Ohio State in September.
Defensive back: Sonny Styles (Pickerington Central) 6-4, 210, jr. Styles, an Ohio State commit, is ranked as the No. 1 junior in Ohio and the No. 6 junior in the nation. He recently reclassified to the class of 2022. He had 44 tackles, two interceptions and two pass breakups.
Defensive back: Delaney Wilburn (Groveport) 5-11, 190, sr. Wilburn made 41 tackles, caught four interceptions and forced one fumble. He holds offers from Colorado and Buffalo.
Punter: Nathaniel Wallace-dilling (Desales) 6-2, 175, sr. Wallace-dilling punted 36 times and totaled 1,472 yards to average 41 yards per punt. His longest punt went 60 yards.
*All statistics from the regular season
Second team offense
WR: David Adolph (Dublin Jerome) 6-5, 200, sr.
WR: Kaden Saunders (Westerville South) 5-11, 175, sr. TE: Parker Logan (Columbus Academy) 6-3, 210, sr. OL: Antonio Burns (London) 5-7, 235, sr.
OL: Joe Kinsley (Fairbanks) 6-2, 255, sr.
OL: Jacob Pritchett (Upper Arlington) 6-4, 250, sr. OL: Reece Shriner (Heath) 5-10, 200, so.
OL: Carter Smith (Olentangy Liberty) 6-6, 280, sr. QB: Blake Horvath (Hilliard Darby) 6-2, 200, sr.
QB: Dijon Jennings (Reynoldsburg) 6-0, 190, sr.
RB: Brae Friesner (Berne Union) 5-10, 150, sr.
RB: Devon Haley (Granville) 5-8, 180, sr.
K: Aiden Ighnat (Hilliard Davidson) 5-10, 170, sr.
Second team defense
DL: Tyler Gillison (Pickerington Central) 6-3, 245, sr. DL: Thadd Huff (London) 6-2, 235, sr.
DL: Sidikiba Kaba (KIPP Columbus) 6-3, 270, jr.
DL: Gyvnn Mendenhall (Columbus Academy) 6-3, 235, sr.
LB: Jacob Arndt (Marion Harding) 5-9, 180, sr.
LB: Carter Brock (Upper Arlington) 6-2, 220, sr.
LB: Ajay Locke (Lancaster) 5-9, 190, sr.
LB: Gavin Miller (North Union) 5-9, 175, sr.
LB: Elijah Wallace (Newark Catholic) 6-1, 210, sr.
DB: Doak Buttermore (Upper Arlington) 5-9, 185, sr. DB: Diante Latham (Beechcroft) 5-8, 151, sr.
DB: Dan Wagner (Africentric) 6-0, 165, sr.
P: Jonathan Spiess (Bexley) 5-9, 172, sr.
Special mention
Quarterbacks: KJ Benedict (Bloom-carroll) 5-8, 165, sr.; Deuce Caldwell (Licking Heights) 5-9, 155, jr.; Cole Canter (Newark Catholic) 6-3, 190, sr.; Carsyn Crouch (Granville) 6-2, 180, sr.; Jack Gregory (Centerburg) 6-2, 190, sr.; Jayden Hanks (Grove City Christian) 6-0, 160, sr.; Lane Hess (Northridge) 6-0, 160, jr.; Nate Hickman (Cardington) 6-1, 205, sr.; Nathan Hunter (Amanda-clearcreek) 6-0, 185, sr.; Amare Jenkins (Dublin Scioto) 6-3, 175, sr.; Brock Kidwell (New Albany) 5-11, 190, sr.; Kaden Lester (Ridgedale) 6-1, 205, sr.; Peyton Lester (East Knox) 6-2, 165, sr.; Simon Monnin (Upper Arlington) 6-0, 185, sr; Nate Nemeth (Berne Union) 6-0, 180, jr.; Cayden Shidone (River Valley) 5-11, 185, jr.; Liston Shroyer (Watkins Memorial) 6-1, 170, sr.; Cy Starcher (Elgin) 6-1, 180, sr.; Christopher Towns (Linden) 5-7, 134, jr.; Brady Wink (Marion Harding) 5-9, 165, sr.; Tymir Wynn (KIPP Columbus) 5-11, 170, jr.
Running backs: Antwuan Burns (London) 5-7, 185, sr.; JJ Calip (Worthington Kilbourne) 5-11, 185, jr.; Gabe Caruso (Desales) 5-7, 160, jr.; Owen Davis (North Union) 6-2, 205, jr.; Cole Delaughder (East Knox) 6-1, 175, so.; Preston Everhart (Dublin Jerome) 5-10, 170, sr.; Brian Fitzsimmons (Ready) 5-10, 190, jr.; Tyreese Ford (South) 6-0, 285, sr.; Brogan Green (Fairbanks) 5-7, 175, jr.; Mason Hackett (Newark Catholic) 5-8, 180, jr.; Marvais Hampton (Eastmoor Academy) 5-9, 195, jr; Jabari Harris (South) 5-10, 168, so.; Carter James (Columbus Academy); Jaylen Jennings (Harvest Prep) 5-11, 195, sr.; Cameron Jewell (Jonathan Alder) 6-0, 190, so.; Nyal Johnson (Hartley) 5-10, 200, sr.; Kevin Kline (Elgin) 6-0, 190, sr.; Maxton Lower (Northmor) 6-2, 215, jr.; Ar’moni Mccrae (Heath) 6-0, 200, sr.; JD Miller (Northridge) 6-0, 175, sr.; Dane Nauman (Highland) 5-11, 215, so.; Teegan Ruhl (Fredericktown) 6-1, 180, jr.; Hayden Salyers (West Jefferson) 5-10, 170, sr.; Caleb Schneider (Johnstown) 6-1, 180, jr.; Ishmael Spann-bowers (East) 5-6, 140, sr.; Jack Tencza (Fisher Catholic) 6-0, 210, sr.; Ethan Young (North Union) 6-0, 190, sr.
Receivers: Chrishawn Adams (Marion-franklin) 6-4, 210, sr.; Correll Amsbaugh (Worthington Christian) 6-4, 205, jr.; Lesley Andoh (Dublin Scioto) 6-1, 175, sr.; Camden Beatty (Thomas Worthington) 6-0, 180, sr.; Tyson Boze (Dublin Scioto) 6-3, 190, sr.; Paul Butterman (Mount Gilead) 6-3, 175, sr; Kaiden Colopy (Danville) 5-11, 154, jr.; Jacob Denny (Liberty Union) 6-5, 205, sr.; Branyon Dodds (Bloom-carroll) 6-1, 170, sr.; Tanner Elwell (Newark Catholic) 5-9, 155, sr.; Christian Hilton (Granville) 6-1, 185, sr.; Reece Huber (Heath) 6-3, 170, sr.; Karson Lang (River Valley) 6-2, 170, sr.; Tayvon Miller (Amanda-clearcreek) 6-1, 165, sr.; Nicky Pentello (Big Walnut) 5-10, 185, jr.; JJ Simmons (Beechcroft) 5-11, 175, sr.; Wesley Stokes (Marion Harding) 6-3, 200, sr.; LB Towns (Linden) 5-8, 145, sr.; Jaylin Walker (Grove City) 5-11, 160, sr.
Tight ends: Derrick Bias (Whetstone) 6-0, 180, sr.; Kamar Davis (Newark) 6-6, 255, sr.; Tanner Domyanich (Buckeye Valley) 5-11, 190, jr.; Braden Dougherty (Dublin Coffman) 6-6, 240, jr.; Gavin Grover (Olentangy) 6-5, 220, so.; Travis Hines (Canal Winchester) 6-4, 220, jr.; Xavier Mullins (Fredericktown) 6-3, 205, jr.; Brody Wilson (North Union) 6-0, 225, sr.; Cade Young (Amanda-clearcreek) 6-3, 205, sr.
Offensive linemen: Gavin Berridge (Elgin) 6-0, 245, sr.; Michael Bush (Marion Harding) 6-4, 300, sr.; Carter Carpenter (Berne Union) 6-5, 305, sr.; Jalen Carpenter (Desales) 6-3, 240, sr.; Ryan Carretta (St. Charles) 6-5, 315, jr.; Kendall Carter (Danville) 6-1, 205, so.; Drue Duncan (North Union) 6-2, 240, jr.; Nathan Dunfee (Westerville North) 6-1, 265, sr.; Kavanaugh Frank (Fisher Catholic) 6-1, 203, sr.; Jaylin Galloway (South) 6-1, 282, so.; Hayden Gladden (Hilliard Darby) 6-5, 270, sr.; Daniel Gray (Newark Catholic) 6-2, 285, sr.; Cheney Gross (London) 6-0, 225, sr.; Turner Harmon (Highland) 6-0, 220, sr.; Kyle Imboden (Pickerington Central) 6-4, 300, sr.; Joe Johnson (Harvest Prep) 6-9, 295, sr.; Colin Mcavoy (Cardington) 6-1, 210, jr.; Andrew Mcfeeters (Hartley) 6-1, 260, sr.; AJ Moniaci (Teays Valley) 6-3, 300, sr.; Tyler O’reilly (Westerville South) 6-2, 260, sr.; Antwoine Reed (Beechcroft) 6-5, 250, sr.; Nathaniel Romano (Licking Valley) 5-11, 265, sr.; Duston Sanders (Northmor) 6-8, 315, sr.; Canyon Schneider (West Jefferson) 6-2, 250, sr.; Sean Smith (Africentric) 5-10, 315, fr.; Ryan Steinbrink (Canal Winchester) 6-4, 270, jr.; Marvin Sutton (Ready) 6-2, 260, sr.; Kevin Tyler (Bloom-carroll) 6-0, 240, sr. Kickers:caleb Hunter (Highland) 5-11, 150, jr.; Rudy Kessinger (Watterson) 6-0, 165, so.; Evan O’connell (Ready) 5-8, 156, sr.; Hayden Olcott (Olentangy) 5-11, 160, sr.; JJ Viau (Fisher Catholic) 5-9, 156, sr.; Grant Woodfin (Worthington Christian) 5-8, 150, sr. Defensive backs: Sammy Amnah (Berne Union) 6-2, 170, sr.; Brandon Armstrong (Westerville South) 5-8, 160, sr.; Jonny Askew (Mount Vernon) 5-9, 175 so.; Troy Bossaler (North Union) 5-11, 160, jr.; Harrison Brewster (Olentangy Berlin) 6-1, 180, so.; Marcus Cortez (Northmor) 5-10, 150, sr.; Cameron Frazier (KIPP Columbus) 5-11, 165, so.; Markus Frazier (Columbus Crusaders) 5-7, 140, sr.; Adam Fry (West Jefferson) 5-10, 165, sr.; Hayden Hull (Canal Winchester) 5-10, 185, sr.; J’sun Gardner (Ready) 5-11, 148, sr.; EJ Jenkins (Columbus Academy) 5-9, 155, jr.; Tyler Johnson (Centerburg) 6-2, 195, jr.; Richard Kenny (Hartley) 5-10, 170, sr.; Shane Knepp (East Knox) 5-10, 155, sr.; Bennett Lawrence (Olentangy Berlin) 6-1, 185, sr.; Caden Mcdermott (Granville) 5-8, 180, sr.; Brody Mclaughlin (Licking Heights) 6-1, 170, sr.; Dominic Orsini (Watterson) 5-10, 185, sr.; Tristin Pierce (Grandview) 5-9, 170, jr.; Brady Sestili (Dublin Jerome) 6-3, 185, jr.; Rechee Smith (Desales); Alijah Stevens (Licking Valley) 5-10, 145, sr.; Kalyn Spence (Africentric) 6-0, 170, sr; Tyrese Taylor (East) 6-0, 165, sr.; Brandon Totten (Bloom-carroll) 5-10, 175, sr.; Caden Vanvorhis (Hilliard Bradley) 6-1, 210, sr.; Walker Weckesser (Danville) 5-11, 160, so.; Julius Wilson (Fairfield Christian) 6-0, 175, sr.; Beau Wisecarver (Bloom-carroll) 6-1, 195, sr.; Nate Younker (Watkins Memorial) 6-0, 187, sr. Linebackers: Carson Bauer (Berne Union) 5-10, 190, sr.; Chandler Burrell (Harvest Prep) 6-0, 195, sr.; Joshua Carrel (Worthington Christian) 6-1, 210, jr.; Connor Corbett (Heath) 5-6, 155, fr.; Garrett Corwin (Northmor) 5-11, 195, sr.; Clay Dozer (Bloom-carroll) 6-0, 190, sr.; Will Garrison (River Valley) 6-1, 210, jr.; Riley Gibbs (Hamilton Township) 6-0, 215, sr.; Riley Gould (Heath) 5-9, 165, sr.; Eli Grandstaff (Highland) 5-9, 185, sr.; Tyson Guiette (Madison-plains) 6-0, 185, sr.; Dauvion Henderson (Whitehall) 6-0, 185, sr.; Levi Lyons (Danville) 6-0, 210, sr.; Noah Lyons (Bexley) 5-10, 192, sr.; Chase Maynard (Jonathan Alder) 5-11, 210, sr.; Zach Mullins (Mount Vernon) 6-3, 215, sr.; Dylan Newsome (Hartley) 5-10, 185, jr.; Lawrence O’malley (Big Walnut) 5-9, 190, sr.; Chase Plantz (Bloom-carroll) 5-11, 195, jr.; Colton Powers (Marysville) 5-11, 190, jr.; Dominic Purcell (Watterson) 5-11, 190, so.; Jack Rickert (Grandview) 6-0, 215, jr.; Diamonte Salley (Eastmoor Academy) 6-1, 176, sr.; Jalin Sample (Independence) 5-10, 180, sr.; Brendan Sheehan (Newark Catholic) 5-10, 175, jr.; Braden Shreyer (Liberty Union) 6-1, 200, sr.; CJ Smith (Pleasant) 5-10, 185, sr.; Riordan Stauffer (Fairbanks) 6-3, 240, sr.; Edjay Sumo (Harvest Prep) 6-2, 190, sr.; Nathan Thiel (Ridgedale) 6-3, 210, so.; Tanner Ufferman (Fairbanks) 6-0, 190, sr.; Peyton Weiler (Teays Valley) 5-10, 190, sr.; Tyler White (Worthington Christian) 5-11, 170, sr.; Brock Wygle (Utica) 5-9, 150, sr.; Jaden Yates (Gahanna) 6-2, 215, jr.; Cade Young (Amanda-clearcreek) 6-3, 205, sr.
Defensive linemen: Kamari Burns (Gahanna) 6-4, 245, jr.; Jeremy Callahan (Olentangy) 6-3, 230, sr.; Correy Craddolph (Northland) 6-0, 240, sr.; Alex Johnson (Centerburg) 6-2, 190, sr.; Gavin Postelwaite (Heath) 6-2, 300, sr.; Cole Rhett (Watterson) 6-6, 285, jr.; Jarrett Simmons (West Jefferson) 6-1, 210, sr.; Will Smith (Dublin Coffman) 6-3, 245, jr.; Ian Staten (Berne Union) 6-4, 215, sr.; Chandler Stevens (Highland) 5-10, 190, jr.; Trevor Treinish (Millersport) 6-3, 175, sr.; Rashawn Turner (Marion Harding) 6-1, 230, sr.; Bobby Vahalik (Granville) 5-11, 215, sr.; Gavin Whited (Northmor) 6-1, 230, sr.; Erryl Will (Marysville) 5-10, 175, sr.; Dalton Wilson (North Union) 6-2, 227, jr.; Waylon Yeager (Fisher Catholic) 6-3, 268, sr.
Punters:alex Contreras (Buckeye Valley) 6-1, 175, sr.; Caden Groff (Canal Winchester) 6-1, 185, sr.; Tyler Hall (Millersport) 6-1, 165, sr.; Garrett Lamb-hart (Mount Gilead) 5-10, 155, sr.; Jason Robertson (Westerville Central) 5-10, 185, sr.; Jonathan Weaver (Amandaclearcreek) 6-2, 170, sr. bjohnson@dispatch.com @baileyajohnson_