Offensive player of the year
Peter Pedrozo, Westerville South
Defensive player of the year
Jonathan Thompson, DeSales
Coach of the year
Wade Bartholomew, Bloom-Carroll
Top award-earners:Westerville South quarterback, DeSales linebacker are best of the best on Dispatch team
First-team offense
Receiver, Bennett Lawrence (Olentangy Berlin) 6 feet, 180 pounds, jr. A two-way standout, Lawrence made 52 receptions for 1,061 yards (a 20.4-yard average) with seven touchdowns. He also led the Bears’ defense with 63 tackles, eight for loss, at linebacker.
Receiver, Tyler Oberle (West Jefferson) 5-10, 155, sr. With 69 catches for 1,231 yards (17.8) and 15 TDs, Oberle broke all of the program’s single-game, season and career receiving marks.
Receiver, Kaden Saunders (Westerville South) 6-0, 175, jr, A four-star Penn State recruit, Saunders made 45 receptions for 946 yards (a 21.0 average), amassed 1,154 all-purpose yards and scored 15 TDs.
Lineman, Billy Cain IV (DeSales) 6-1, 250, sr. At guard, Cain was a key element in a running attack that averaged 273 yards per game.
Lineman, Braedon Elwer (New Albany) 6-4, 250, sr. Switching between tight end and tackle, Elwer graded out at 99 percent blocking with 16 pancakes.
Lineman, Carter Smith (Olentangy Liberty) 6-6, 250, jr. Considered the anchor of Liberty’s balanced offense, Smith already holds several Division I scholarship offers.
Lineman, Keaton Snyder (Pickerington Central) 6-2, 275, sr. Called by coach Jay Sharrett “the most athletic offensive lineman the program has had in many years,” Snyder recorded 25 pancakes and helped Central average 235 yards per game rushing.
Lineman, Tony Thivener, (Hartley) 6-1, 230, sr. As a pulling guard, Thiever was a stabilizing force for Hartley’s potent ground game.
Quarterback, Peter Pedrozo (Westerville South) 5-11, 180, sr. Returning from a season-ending injury in 2019, Pedrozo completed 150 of 214 passes for 2,622 yards with 30 touchdowns and just five interceptions.
Running back, Jaylen Jennings (Harvest Prep) 5-10, 175, jr. A one-man wrecking crew, Jennings racked up 1,626 yards on a 10-yard average with 22 TDs.
Running back, Quintell Quinn (DeSales) 6-2, 210, sr. An Ohio University commit, Quinn racked up 1,566 yards and 27 TDs. He also had 82 tackles, 10 for loss, at linebacker.
Running back, Bryon Threats (Dublin Coffman) 5-10, 195, sr. Bound for Cincinnati, Threats amassed 1,526 yards rushing and receiving, averaging 172 all-purpose yards per game, with 22 TDs.
Kicker, Jonah Houston (Columbus Academy) 5-10, 170, sr. In addition to making 8 of 11 field goals and 28 of 29 extra-point kicks, Houston averaged 55.2 yards on kickoffs with 20 touchbacks.
First-team defense
Lineman, Jamarius Dinkins (Walnut Ridge) 6-6, 270, sr. A Kentucky commit, Dinkins racked up 43 tackles, 12 for loss, with eight sacks and four forced fumbles in leading the Scots to the City League playoff championship.
Lineman, Luke Ferrell (Bloom-Carroll) 6-3, 200, jr. One of the driving forces of a defense that allowed just 51 points during a first-ever run to the final four, Ferrell finished with 90 tackles, 19 for loss, with seven sacks and a forced fumble.
Lineman, Hammond Russell (Dublin Coffman) 6-4, 260, sr. Despite constant double-teams, Russell – a West Virginia commit – had 52 tackles, nine for loss, with 1.5 sacks, three pass bat-downs, one forced fumble and two interceptions.
Lineman, Daniel Tooson (Hartley) 6-1, 250, jr. In addition to recording 15 tackles for loss and eight sacks, Tooson – considered a Division I prospect – was a dominant blocker at tight end.
Linebacker, Phillip Gibson-Perry (Harvest Prep) 6-0, 205, sr. A four-year starter, Gibson-Perry amassed 97 tackles, 21 for loss, with four forced fumbles and three pass breakups.
Linebacker, Zeke Healy (Westerville Central) 5-10, 200, sr. In helping Central to a regional final, Healy recorded 91 tackles, 15 for loss, with three sacks, three forced fumbles, one interception and one pass bat-down.
Linebacker, Dane Hogue (Heath) 6-0, 190, sr. With totals of 93 tackles, 12 for loss, three sacks and four forced fumbles, Hogue – a four-year starter – finished as the program’s career leader in tackles (385).
Linebacker, Gabe Powers (Marysville) 6-4, 215, jr. A four-star recruit who has committed to Ohio State, Powers had 61 tackles six for loss, with four sacks, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception. He also rushed for 594 yards and six TDs.
Linebacker, Jonathan Thompson (DeSales) 6-2, 215, jr. A dominating two-way player, Thompson finished with 72 tackles, 31 for loss, with 8.5 sacks, six quarterback hurries, five interceptions, five pass breakups and two forced fumbles.
Back, Bodee Creech (Licking Valley) 6-2, 205, sr. In eight games, Creech totaled seven interceptions and 29 tackles. He also was the Panthers’ top receiver.
Back, Orlando Jones (Independence) 6-1, 175, sr. A dynamic all-around player, Jones made six interceptions in just seven games, returning four for touchdowns. All told, he accounted for more than 1,200 all-purpose yards and 22 TDs.
Back, Diante Latham (Beechcroft) 5-9, 165, jr. With a state-best nine interceptions and 27 tackles in just six games, Latham was an all-around playmaker. He amassed more than 1,300 all-purpose yards.
Punter, Mitchell Tomasek (Worthington Kilbourne) 6-3, 190, sr. A Division I recruit as a punter, Tomasek averaged 39.6 yards. At quarterback, he also passed for 1,756 yards and 18 TDs.
Return specialist, Lorenzo Styles Jr. (Pickerington Central) 6-1, 190, sr. A Notre Dame commit, Styles had a tremendous impact in helping Central to the state championship game. He had 520 yards on punt returns (26-yard average) with three touchdowns, 315 yards on kickoff returns (35-yard average) with a TD and added 619 yards and five TDs as a receiver/runner.
SECOND-TEAM OFFENSE
WR, Cayden Dougherty, Worthington Kilbourne, 5-10, 160, sr.
WR, Jackson Izzard, Jonathan Alder, 6-3, 190, sr.
TE, Joe Trent, Dublin Scioto, 6-5, 210, sr.
OL, Dalton Hall, Reynoldsburg, 6-5, 290, sr.
OL, Dylan Lambert, West Jefferson, 6-1, 230, sr.
OL, Tyler O’Reilly, Westerville South, 6-2, 250, jr.
OL, David Roshon, Newark Catholic, 6-3, 237, sr.
OL, Daniel Warnsman, Dublin Coffman, 6-3, 285, sr.
QB, Tyler Buescher, West Jefferson, 5-11, 150, jr.
QB, Jacob Moeller, Olentangy Berlin, 6-5, 175, sr.
RB, Stephan Byrd, Canal Winchester, 6-0, 210, jr.
RB, Javarus Leach, Walnut Ridge, 5-10, 208, sr.
K, Evan O’Connell, Ready, 5-8, 150, jr.
SECOND-TEAM DEFENSE
DL, Michael Ballenger, Upper Arlington, 6-0, 210, sr.
DL, Ethan Hand, Olentangy, 6-0, 240, sr.
DL, Jake Lusk, Johnstown, 6-4, 230, sr.
DL, Mason Stevens, Licking Valley, 6-1, 200, sr.
LB, Marcelis Parker, Hartley, 6-1, 235, sr.
LB, Blaine Riley, Canal Winchester, 6-0, 230, sr.
LB, Hobie Scarberry, Bloom-Carroll, 5-11, 230, sr.
LB, Devon Williams, Dublin Coffman, 6-1, 218, sr.
DB, Keshawn Bonner, Granville, 5-11, 175, sr.
DB,Jonathan Keith, Jonathan Alder, 6-0, 155, jr.
DB, Dan Wagner, Africentric, 6-1, 170, jr.
DB, Delaney Wilburn, Groveport, 6-0, 185, jr.
P, Alex Contreras, Buckeye Valley, 6-1, 175, jr.
RET, Tyler Young, Watterson, 5-11, 165, sr.
SPECIAL MENTION
Quarterbacks
Ahmad Armstrong (Eastmoor Academy); Jagger Barnett (Big Walnut); KJ Benedict (Bloom-Carroll); Jeffrey Beverly (Franklin Heights); Cole Canter (Newark Catholic); Cayden Carroll (Liberty Union); Kaden Doup (Olentangy); Mitchell Fields (Olentangy Liberty); Jaylen Gilbert (Pickerington North); Brady Hess (Columbus Academy); Judah Holtzclaw (Westerville Central); Blake Horvath (Hilliard Darby); Jacob Hoying (Watterson); Amare Jenkins (Dublin Scioto); Dijon Jennings (Reynoldsburg); JT Keith (Jonathan Alder); Josh Laisure (Olentangy Orange); Connor Mathews (Dublin Coffman); Ryan Miller (Dublin Jerome); AJ Mirgon (Hilliard Bradley); Hobie Raikes (Worthington Christian); Blake Rine (Granville); Conner Robinson (Logan Elm); Ronmell Robinson (South); Christopher Towns (Linden); Garner Wallace (Pickerington Central); Malachi Williams (East)
Running backs
Ron Blackman (Gahanna); Sylvester Bockarie (Westerville North); Antwaun Burns (London); Preston Everhart (Dublin Jerome); Tyreese Ford (South); Jayden Fudge (New Albany); Justin Fudge (Africentric); Landon Johnson (Olentangy); Carson Gresock (Upper Arlington); Will Heisler (Jonathan Alder); Nyal Johnson (Hartley); Aidan Kenley (Olentangy Liberty); Ryan Kern (Marysville); Christian Lautenschleger (Grove City Christian); Idris Lawrence (Pickerington North); Gage Lowery (Watkins Memorial); Nick Mosley (Pickerington Central); Wes Myers (Johnstown); Trevor Moran (North Union); Cam Nickleson (Watterson); Leo Nixon (Hilliard Davidson); Chris Prince (Berne Union); Xavier Puryear (Heath); Michael Ross (Westerville Central); Jalin Sample (Independence); Jack Tencza (Fisher Catholic); Jalil Underdown (Groveport); Caden Williams (Big Walnut)
Receivers
Lesley Andoh (Dublin Scioto); MJ Book (West Jefferson); Sam Cannon (Upper Arlington); Gabe Chalfin (Logan Elm); Markez Gillam (Reynoldsburg); Andrew Hunt (Madison Plains); Sam Huyghe (Columbus Academy); Caden Konczak (Olentangy Orange); Tommy McGeehan (Franklin Heights); Jace Middleton (Olentangy); Shamarion Rogers (Linden); Jason Sailor (Logan Elm); Luke Swaney (Westerville Central)
Tight ends
Davis Boone (Watterson); Clayton Cummons (Utica); Manny Mullens (Harvest Prep); Shawn Munnerlyn (Independence); Jack Pugh (Hilliard Bradley); Dalton White (London)
Offensive linemen
Antonio Alonso (Olentangy Berlin); Ras Anderson (Walnut Ridge); Tommy Bailey (Gahanna); Brandon Bishop (Licking Valley); Billy Reed-Bodey (Fairbanks); Anthony Buckley (Amanda-Clearcreek); Carter Carpenter (Berne Union); Nadir Carpenter (Westerville South); Mike Cogossi (Marysville); Corey Cress (Madison Plains); Adiel Cruz (Independence); Kyle Daley (North Union); Jack Flowers (Upper Arlington); Mason Fry (Canal Winchester); Pat Graves (Harvest Prep); Will Hast (DeSales); Aidan Isler (Northridge); Will Jados (Westerville Central); Carson Kellenbarger (Berne Union); Gavin Kenney (Delaware); Caden Marinacci (Heath); Max Martin-Lee (Dublin Scioto); AJ Moniaci (Teays Valley); Lahti Murphy (Marion-Franklin); Jacob Neri (Hilliard Darby); Tyce Neu (Pickerington North); Gavin Rorhs (Marysville); Mark Ruffing (Big Walnut); Alec Schrock (Jonathan Alder); Jalon Slappy (Eastmoor Academy); Tony Souvanhly (South); Matt Taylor (Grandview); Cole Troyer (Olentangy Berlin); Kole Wickline (Bloom-Carroll); Jesse Williamson (Licking Heights); Kameron Wright (Granville)
Kickers
JJ Baughman (DeSales); Jack Behre (Olentangy Orange); Jorem Clem (Whetstone); Casey Magyar (Dublin Coffman); Dylan Moore (Jonathan Alder); Justin Rader (Olentangy Berlin); Felipe Scharff (Buckeye Valley); Grant Woodfin (Worthington Christian)
Defensive backs
Brandon Armstrong (Westerville South); Eli Coppess (Pickerington North); Noah Coultas (Licking Heights); Jerome Dillard (South); Ryan Ernst (Madison Plains); Trevyn Feasel (North Union); Vince Francescone (Westerville Central); Zion Freeman-Walker (Dublin Scioto); Caleb Gossett (Olentangy); Joey Guagenti (Olentangy Orange); Sam Intihar (Watterson); Shea Keethler (Upper Arlington); Richard Kenny (Hartley); Brock Kidwell (New Albany); Isaiah Radcliffe (North Union); Trey Saunders (Hartley); Giovanni Scales (Marion-Franklin); Alex “Sonny” Styles (Pickerington Central); Brandon Totten (Bloom-Carroll); Colt Vierstra (Lakewood); Khris Watkins Sellers (Whetstone); Tyler White (Worthington Christian); Beau Wisecarver (Bloom-Carroll); Nate Younker (Watkins Memorial)
Linebackers
Jaden Ampadu (Olentangy Orange); Brennan Albertini (Westerville North); Addi Blair (Dublin Jerome); Carter Bryant (St. Charles); Paul Bryant (Madison Plains); Josh Carrel (Worthington Christian); Dennis Chadeya (Grove City); Hayden Collins (Fairfield Union); William Dukes IV (Pickerington Central); Reece Dykstra (Thomas Worthington); Riley Gibbs (Hamilton Township); Tyler Gillison (Pickerington Central); Clarence Gossett (Groveport); Luke Harper (Marysville); Ian Hoff (New Albany); Kahli Horton-Campbell (Westerville South); Connor Jones (Hilliard Darby); Isaiah Jones (London); Josey Kelly (Westfall); Marco Landolfi (Upper Arlington); Justin Larochelle (Johnstown); AJ Leasure (Big Walnut); Cole Matthews (Ready); Chase Maynard (Jonathan Alder); Michael Petry (West Jefferson); Dontae Porter (Independence); Diamonte Salley (Eastmoor Academy); Brayden Shreyer (Liberty Union); Luke Twiss (Canal Winchester); Tanner Ufferman (Fairbanks); Jason Velazquez (DeSales); Caleb VanVorhis (Hilliard Bradley); Peyton Weiler (Teays Valley); Will Weinberg (Buckeye Valley); Brian Wilson (Worthington Kilbourne); Brian Yamokoski (Olentangy Liberty); Jaden Yates (Gahanna); Nick Youell (Watterson); Cade Young (Amanda-Clearcreek)
Defensive linemen
Zion Bowling (Teays Valley); Leon Briggs (Africentric); Joshua Buchanan (London); Jeb Burford (Worthington Christian); Jon Chandler (Canal Winchester); Correy Craddolph (Northland); Jalen Davis (Harvest Prep); Andre Dewberry (Licking Heights); Dylan Dodson (Licking Valley); C.J. Doggette (Pickerington Central); Jahi Glass (Columbus Crusaders); Zindale Graf (Lancaster); Elijah Hawk (Pickerington North); Drew Hess (Newark Catholic); Da’Leon Jackson (Whitehall); Joe Kinsley (Fairbanks); Muhammad Kobo (Beechcroft); Gyvnn Mendenhall (Columbus Academy); Robert Mills (Columbus Academy); Braeden Murray (Westerville Central); Chaz Reeder (North Union); Nathan Rudawsky (Olentangy); Logan Shafley (Jonathan Alder); Brendan Sheehan (Newark Catholic); Reuben Simiyu (Westerville North); Matthew Stewart (DeSales); Quanaire Tatum (Marion-Franklin); Bradley Weaver (Hilliard Darby); Jaquan Whitted (Walnut Ridge); Liam Wilson (Teays Valley); Waylon Yeager (Fisher Catholic)
Punters
Malcolm Denny (Hamilton Township); Hayden Olcott (Olentangy); Caleb Schneider (Johnstown); Evan Willet (Bloom-Carroll)
Return specialists
Sammy Amnah (Berne Union); Shaun Goines (Harvest Prep); Ar’Moni McCrae (Heath); Jaleel Sales (Watkins Memorial)
