The Division IV and Division V All-Ohio football teams were announced on Dec. 5 and a number athletes in the Mount Vernon News coverage area were included, including eight players from West Holmes.
Division IV:
The Division IV All-Ohio group was headlined by Morgan Smith of West Holmes, who put up one of the best years at quarterback imaginable. He threw for a school record 45 touchdowns and Smith also hit the 4,000 yard passing mark on the season. He rushed for more than 1,100 yards and 17 touchdowns. His 62 total touchdowns this season was a school record. Smith was the OCC Player of the Year and the Division IV Eastern District Player of the Year.
First team:
QB Morgan Smith, junior, West Holmes
WR: Kyle Maltarich, senior, West Holmes
LB: Lynn Cline, sophomore, West Holmes
Second team:
OL: Morgan Eastep, junior, West Holmes
DL: Elijah Williams-Dixon, junior, West Holmes
Honorable mention:
WR: Logan Zollars, junior, West Holmes
K: Alex Pringle, junior, West Holmes
LB: Gus Warner, senior, West Holmes
Division V:
The Division V 2023 All-Ohio class was led by Highland running back Dane Nauman, who was a master coming out of the backfield for the Fighting Scots. In 11 games he had 206 carries for 1,694 yards, 18 touchdowns, eight games of 100 yards or more and a long of 95 yards. He averaged 8.2 yards per carry and 154 yards per game. Nauman also caught 10 passes for 183 yards and two touchdowns, including one that went for 82 yards.
While he made it on offense, Nauman was also a force on defense with 71 tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
First team:
RB: Dane Nauman, senior, Highland
Second team:
WR/TE Gavin Chinn, senior, Utica
DL: Dylan Cooperider, senior, Utica
LB: Ladon Hayes, senior, Highland
Third team:
OL: Cameron Koelbl, senior, Fredericktown
DB: Jesse Rings, senior, Centerburg
Honorable Mention:
WR/TE: Kaden Reichenbach, junior, Highland
