Ohio high school football stat leaders include several local student-athletes following games of Friday, Sept. 24, with three of them in the top 10 and a fourth among the top 15 in their categories.
Following a 336-yard performance last week, Highland’s Dane Nauman jumped from the No. 6 spot to No.3 in Ohio among all state high school rushers. Nauman’s 1,271 yards on 157 attempts, for an 8.1 yards per carry average and 211.8 yards per game, places him third, behind Gibsonburg’s Connor Smith – 1,574 yards, and Rootstown’s Cody Coontz – 1,393 yards. Frederickown’s Teegan Ruhl gained 12 spots and moved into the No. 10 spot after 239 yards last game. Ruhl has 1,009 yards on 135 carries – 7.47 pc and 168.2 ypg. Centerburg’s Tyler Johnson is No. 15 with 902 yards, and his teammate, Caylen LeMaster, is 24th, with 779 yards. Johnson is also fifth in Ohio with 20 touchdowns scored.
In passing yardage, Medina’s Danny Stoddard has a big lead at No. 1, with 2,356 yards. The local passing leader, Centerburg’s Tyler Johnson, jumped from No. 82 to No. 73 this week, with 730 yards on 52-for-107 attempts. Utica’s Zach Heckman is No. 91 with 621 yards on 44-for-69 attempts.
In receiving yards, Utica’s Gavin Chinn fell from No. 22 to No. 40 statewide, with 422 yards on 19 receptions. The state leader is Woodward (Cincinnati) wide receiver Donte Ferrell, with 1,138 yards on 54 receptions.
On defense, Ladon Hayes of Highland is No. 56 with 55 tackles, 9.2 per game, 24 solos and 31 assists. Zach Cyphers of Utica is No. 76 statewide with 51 tackles (24 solos and 27 assists), 8.5 per game. Danville’s Ryan Lucas is No. 83 with 50 tackles, 8.3 tpg, 27 solos and 23 assists. Brayden Koeller of Twin Valley South has the most tackles with 101 and the most solos with 71. Travis Merrill of Elyria Catholic has the most tackles for loss with 22.0, and most sacks goes to Dylan Horsley of Norwood, with 10.5.
Kaiden Colopy of Danville is tied with five others for the top spot in Ohio with five interceptions.
Danville’s Jacob Hackman, Highland’s Hayden Kline, Centerburg’s Jesse Rings and Trevin Harris, and Utica’s Gavin Chinn each have a pair of INTs.
