Howland’s Lott earns All-Ohio honor
One of the best teams in Howland history got a nice reward on Monday when senior linebacker Josh Lott shared defensive player of the year honors in Division II on the Associated Press All-Ohio team.
Lott (6-2, 235) shared the award with Louisville linebacker Matt Schooley, who will lead the Leopards up against Cincinnati Anderson in the Division II final Friday night at Massillon’s Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.
Howland senior linebacker Eric Jones also made the first team after helping the Tigers to the Metro Athletic Conference title and 11 straight wins before a loss to Mayfield in the regional semifinals. Jones was the defensive player of the year in the MAC.
East senior quarterback Sal Battles and senior linebacker Gary Thornton each made first team after helping the Panthers to an 8-2 record in their inaugural season. Battles was named the district offensive player of the year earlier this month.
A pair of Canfield standouts made the second team: kicker Pat Sankovich and lineman Jordan Graham. Quarterback Mark Carrocce earned special mention.
In Div. I, Boardman senior Evan Klepec, who has already committed to Miami (Ohio), was named to the first team, while Corey Linsley was named to the second team as an offensive lineman.