No. 2: Akise Teague named Mr. Football


Top Athlete: Akise Teague

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Ursuline's Akise Teague's first of five touchdowns. The Ursuline Irish have achieved their primary season goal: to win the state title for a record third-straight time. The Fighting Irish had an impressive end to their season with a 51-21 victory over Coldwater in the Division V State Championship game at Canton's Fawcett Stadium Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010.

URSULINE vs. COLDWATER

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KIRTLAND Vs. URSULINE

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During the second quarter, Ursuline's Akise Teague pushes past Coldwater's #20 Drew Feltz and #8 Ross Wermert to score another touchdown. The Ursuline Irish have achieved their primary season goal: to win the state title for a record third-straight time. The Fighting Irish had an impressive end to their season with a 51-21 victory over Coldwater in the Division V State Championship game at Canton's Fawcett Stadium Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010.

After having one of the best seasons in school history, Ursuline High senior running back Akise Teague was awarded with the state’s most prestigious honor.

Teague, the speedy do-it-all weapon for the Fighting Irish, was one of the main reasons for the team’s success. Ursuline finished its second 15-0 season in three years, and captured its third-straight Division V state championship — the first time a Mahoning Valley school accomplished the feat.

But maybe the most impressive achievement was Teague being named Mr. Football. The award is given to the most outstanding football player in the state.

And Teague earned it.

Teague, who verbally committed to the University of Cincinnati, finished the year with more than 2,300 rushing yards, and broke the school records for all-purpose yards with more than 4,000 and total touchdowns with 48.

Teague didn’t get the headlines for most of his high school career. Until his senior season, Teague was the No. 2 back behind Allen Jones, the school’s all-time leading rusher. Teague will end his run at Ursuline the same way, behind only Jones on the all-time rushing list.

But Teague had arguably the best individual season in school history, and can at least enter the argument of best season in Valley history. Teague joins former Warren Harding tailback Maurice Clarett at the only Mr. Football winners in the Valley.

Teauge consistently credited his teammates, especially his behemoth offensive line, for his success. The soft-spoken Teague proved to be worthy with a five-touchdown performance in the state title game, which broke the record for Div. V.