OHIO MR. FOOTBALL
2003--Raymond Williams, Cleveland Benedictine, running back, 5-foot-11, 185 pounds, senior. Averaged 8.1 yards per carry, totaling 2,099 for regular season along with 27 TDs for state's No. 1-ranked team in Division III. Totaled more than 6,000 career yards. West Virginia University withdrew scholarship offer while Williams defends himself on charges of murder and aggravated robbery stemming from a prank with a toy gun.
2002--Benny Mauk, Kenton, Quarterback, 6-2, 200, sr.: Through state semifinals, has completed 390-of-631 passes (61 percent) for 6,228 yards and 72 touchdowns; Rushed for 1,252 yards and 15 touchdowns; Set national career records for yards passing (17,223) and touchdowns (175); Led Kenton to Division IV title in 2001. Now at Wake Forest.
2001--Maurice Clarett, Warren Harding, Running Back, 6-0, 230 pounds, sr.: carried 139 times for 1,369 yards and 22 touchdowns in the regular season; also had 14 catches for 253 yards and three touchdowns, returned four punts for touchdowns and had another on a kickoff return. Now training for the 2005 NFL draft after leaving Ohio State.
2000--Jeff Backes, Upper Arlington, RB-DB, 5-10, 180 pounds, sr.: set state record for rushing yards in a season with 3,353, including the Golden Bears' run to the state title; scored 44 touchdowns on 354 carries, averaging 224 yards a game; also a standout at safety. Now at Northwestern.
1999--Brandon "Bam" Childress, Bedford Chanel, DB-WR-KR, 5-10, 175 pounds, sr.: only seven passes thrown his way in 14 games; one was completed for a 3-yard gain, he intercepted two, returning one for a touchdown, batted down two and two were overthrown; 41 receptions for 754 yards and 11 touchdowns; more than 700 yards on punt returns and 600 yards on kickoff returns. Now at Ohio State.
1998--Ryan Brewer, Troy, RB, 5-10, 205, sr.: 315 carries for then-state-record 2,856 yards and 40 touchdowns; 14 straight games over 200 yards rushing; more than 7,700 career yards; punted for 44-yard average; kicked four field goals of 30 or more yards; two interceptions as defensive back. Played at South Carolina.
1997--Antoine "Tony" Fisher, Euclid, RB, 6-1, 203, sr.: 186 carries for 2,130 yards and 40 touchdowns, breaking Robert Smith's school records for season scoring and yardage. Notre Dame.
1996--Derek Combs, Grove City, RB-CB-KR, 6-1, 185, sr.: rushed for 2,042 yards on 214 carries (9.5 yards per carry) and scored 24 touchdowns; also caught 20 passes for 400 yards. Ohio State.
1995--Andy Katzenmoyer, Westerville South, LB-RB, 6-4, 235, sr.: 53 solo tackles, 35 assists, 16 for minus yardage, 8 sacks, 6 caused bad pass, 8 passes broken up, 6 fumbles caused; also rushed for 250 yards as blocking back on offense. Ohio State.
1994--Charles Woodson, Fremont Ross, RB-DB, 6-1, 190, sr.: 218 carries, 2,028 yards and 38 touchdowns; 2,596 all-purpose yards and 230 points. Michigan. Won Heisman Trophy.
1993--Curtis Enis, Union City Mississinawa Valley, RB-LB, 6-3, 232, sr.: 256 carries for then-state-record 2,764 yards (10.8 yards per attempt) and 37 touchdowns rushing; games of 440 yards and seven touchdowns, 371 yards and four touchdowns and 343 yards and four touchdowns. Penn State.
1992--Marc Edwards, Norwood, RB-LB, 6-2, 220, sr.: 234 carries for 1,721 yards and 26 touchdowns; 2,114 all-purpose yards; 113 tackles on defense. Notre Dame.
1991--Derek Kidwell, Fostoria, QB-DE, 6-4, 225, sr.: 85-for-144 for 1,526 yards and 15 touchdowns with eight interceptions passing; rushed for 379 yards on 60 carries and five touchdowns; had 21 solos, 23 assists, two sacks and four fumbles recovered as defensive end. Bowling Green.
1990--Bob Hoying, St. Henry, QB, 6-5, 210, sr.: 105-for-180 (58 percent), 1,736 yards and 20 touchdowns with five interceptions passing; rushed for 201 yards on 39 carries with four touchdowns; as free safety intercepted seven passes. Ohio State.
1989--Robert Smith, Euclid, RB, 6-2, 195, sr.: 203 carries for 2,042 yards and 31 touchdowns; career 548 carries for 5,038 yards, 67 touchdowns. Ohio State.
1988--Robert Smith, Euclid, RB, 6-2, 185, Jr.: 177 carries for 1,564 yards (8.8 yards per carry); averaged 31 yards on 10 punt returns.
1987--Buster Howe, Zanesville, 5-11, 182, sr.: All-purpose single-wing back, scored 25 points a game; also played defensive back, kicked. Ohio State.