Crestview, South Range, Ursuline, YCS boast All-Ohio first-teamers

Staff report

Five area teams from Division V and VI made the playoffs.

And 32 players were honored by the Associated Press.

Crestview’s Josh McDade and Nick Blower, with Ursuline’s Tramain Thigpen and Jermaine Williams were honored with All-Ohio first-team honors. South Range kicker Cole Krumpak, also earned first-team honors.

McDade is listed as a 6-foot-2, 237-pound junior offensive lineman who helped block the way for Blower, a 5-7, 149-pound running back whose special blend of speed and power made him one of the most exciting offensive players in the area.

Blower broke the school record with 1,729 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns.

For the Fighting Irish, Thigpen and Williams were a quick combo in the backfield.

Thigpen finished the year with 632 rushing yards and 151 receiving with 12 total TDs. Williams added 601 yards on the ground with 11 TDs.

In Division VI, the history-making Youngstown Christian Eagles boast a pair of first-team award winners: seniors Ryan Grier and KaeVon Green.

Grier scored 15 touchdowns with over 1,250 rushing yards, while Green was one of the most feared defenders in the state.

He recorded 58 tackles and a team-high 16.5 sacks in the regular season.

Division V second team honors went to Campbell’s Shaquon McWilson, a 6-foot-4, 330-pound two-way rock. He led the Red Devils with 45 tackles. Sha’Haun Williams of Ursuline made it with a stellar junior season, leading the Irish with 11 sacks. Southern’s Steve Treadway also was on the second team.

Two Warren JFK seniors, kicker Eric Bofenkamp and Alex Rossi earned second team honors in Division VI.

A number of players were special mentions in both Division V and VI.

Southern’s Jared Shilot and Luke Griffith, South Range’s Rob Seman, Crestview’s Collin Gilbert and Kaleb Baker, Ursuline’s Chris Durkin, Springfield’s Derek Gbur and Britton Steinga and Brandon Hacker of Columbiana made it in Division V.

Tim Cooper, Dan Zilke and Micah Marrah of Western Reserve, YCS’s Melvin Gregory and Darrien Townsend, Leetonia’s Brandon Datillo and Zack Van Giesen, Lowellville’s Mike Minnie, JFK’s Dominic Naples and Devine Redding of Mineral Ridge made speacial mention in Divison VI.

Kirtland coach Tiger LaVerde shared Division V coach of the year honors with Sam Watson of New Lebanon and Jose Davis of Bellaire. Kirtland also sported a co-offensive and defensive player of the year with Damon Washington and Connon Schroeder. They shared honors with Coldwater’s Austin Bruns and Cannon Schroeder for offense and defense, respectively.

Mogadore’s Matt Adorni, Shadyside’s Mark Holenka and Bradford’s Curtis Enis, a former Mr. Football award winner, shared the Division VI coach of the year award.

Mogadore’s Gary Strain, McComb’s Jerry Brown and Danville’s Bryce Staats were offensive players of the year, while Bryce Staats of Newark Catholic won defensive player of the year.