The Ohio Cardinal Conference released their All-Conference selections and individual awards. The conference consists of high schools from Mount Vernon, Ashland, Lexington, Madison Comprehensive, Mansfield Senior, New Philadelphia, West Holmes and Wooster. Selections include:
Offensive Player of the Year: Morgan Smith, West Holmes
Defensive Player of the Year: Zach Rothrock, New Philadelphia
Special Teams Player of the Year: Kyle Maltarich, West Holmes
Coach of the Year: Chioke Bradley, Mansfield Senior
First Team:
Maurice Bradley, Mansfield
Hayden Meese, Wooster
Amarr Davis, Mansfield
Jonny Askew, Mount Vernon
Ahmann Thomas, Mansfield
Nate Fair, West Holmes
Symirr Phillips, Mansfield Logan Zollats, West Holmes
Carmelo Smith, Mansfield
Morgan Eastep, Mansfield
Lynn Cline, West Holmes
Aeden Nicol, Lexington
Jack Marmet, West Holmes
Matt Sheet, Lexington
Cayden Spotts, Ashland
Cam Boozer, Lexington
Tyler Sauder, Ashland
Keaton Fausel, New Philadelphia
Will Kepple, Madison
Second Team:
Mason Green, Lexington
Elijah Williams-Dixon, West Holmes
Joe Caudill, Lexington
Gage Brown, West Holmes
Seven Allen, Lexington
Gus Warner, West Holmes
Julian Franklin, Wooster
Brock Gallion, West Holmes
Gunner Lacey, Ashland
Hayden Smith, West Holmes
Nathan Bernhard, Ashland
Luke Mullins, Mount Vernon
Cameron Kuhn, Madison
Duke Reese, Mansfield
Etnie Richardson, New Philadelphia
Quinten Debolt, Mansfield
Carson Long, New Philadelphia
Ja’Ontay O’Bryant, Mansfield
Jamier Petty, Mansfield
Pete DiDonato, New Philadelphia
Jah’mere Dotson, Mansfield
Honorable Mention:
Brayden Fogle, Lexington
Daylan McGinty, Mansfield
Markale Martin, Lexington
Dajahn Corbin, Mansfield
Carter Wilson, Lexington
Zyion Brown, Mansfield
Owen Wigton, Madison
Alex Taylor, Mount Vernon
Landyn Young, Madison
Ayden Kennedy, Mount Vernon
Grayson Sasis, Madison
Hunter Looney, Mount Vernon
Brody Gilland, New Philadelphia
Mason Shankel, West Holmes
Myles Tyson, New Philadelphia
Grant Miller, West Holmes
Jordy De La Cruz, New Philadelphia
Zach Shepler, West Holmes
Michael Franz, Ashland
Jayson Deeds, Wooster
Josh Pancake, Ashland
Ethan Shetler, Wooster
Joe Isenhart, Ashland
Anthony Sines, Wooster
Player Spotlights:
Morgan Smith, West Holmes: What a season it was for the West Holmes signal caller, as he set the school record for passing touchdowns and total touchdowns in a season. He ended the year with 45 passing touchdowns and was consistently throwing for video game statistics to the likes of All-Conference receivers Kyle Maltarich, Nate Fair and Lynn Cline. Smith played his best game of the season in the first round of the playoffs against Bryan, where he scored nine times, seven in the air, to tie the school record and lead West Holmes to a 70-50 win. He had 404 passing yards and 49 rushing yards.
Zach Rothrock, New Philadelphia: Senior linebacker Zach Rothrock was the rock of the Quaker defense all season and named OCC Defensive Player of the Year. He tallied a team high 102 tackles, three picks, a sack, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble during the regular season and helped lead New Philadelphia to a playoff berth. He showed he was ready to play right from the get go, tallying 12 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in their first conference win over Wooster.
Amarr Davis, Mansfield: Davis set the Tyger school record for touchdown catches in his career, catching his 21st score in a 55-21 regional quarterfinal win over Rocky River. The first team All-OCC receiver has received offers from University of Findlay, Notre Dame College and John Carroll University.
Jonny Askew, Mount Vernon: Jonny Askew was the top running back for the Yellow Jackets, and finished off his career with 729 yards on 140 attempts with seven touchdowns in his senior year. He led the team with 1,073 all purpose yards in his first team All-OCC season.
Aeden Nicol, Lexington: Senior lineman Aeden Nicol was named first team All-OCC for his strong play at guard on offense and tackle on defense. He was able to open up holes for the running game and give time for second team All-OCC QB Joe Caudill to throw.
Hayden Meese, Wooster: Junior wide receiver/strong safety Hayden Meese was the top target for Wooster’s offense this year, earning him first team All-OCC honors. He stood out from the start, tallying nine catches for 194 yards and three scores in an opening season win over Orrville.
Cayden Spotts, Ashland: Senior running back/linebacker Cayden Spotts paced the running game for the Arrows all season, and stood out against Wooster in a 34-0 win where he tallied 197 yards and three scores on 16 carries.
Will Kepple, Madison Comprehensive: Senior tight end/linebacker Will Kepple was the top player on the Rams this year and was the team’s first team All-OCC selection.
