2022 News-Herald high school football all-stars
Nov. 24—Player of the Year
Mikey Maloney
Riverside, Junior
Coming off an injury-riddled sophomore season and a quarterback competition in the offseason, Maloney takes home the Tony Fisher Award as the News-Herald's football player of the year with a season for the ages at Riverside. He completed 143 of 225 passes (64 percent) for 2,289 yards and 28 touchdowns against only three interceptions. He added 677 yards rushing and 15 running touchdowns, with an average of 6.2 yards per carry. He fit the bill as a big-time playmaker for his team as well as a ball-distributor in the passing game. He helped lead Riverside to an 11-2 record, Western Reserve Conference championship and two playoff victories.
Coach of the Year
Dave Bors, Riverside
It was a season to remember — and one to build upon — for Riverside this season. The Beavers went 11-2, swept through the Western Reserve Conference with a 6-0 record, beat the top-ranked team in West Virginia (Martinsburg) and won two playoff games for the first time in program history. Having talent — and yes, Riverside had perhaps the most talented roster in program history — is one thing. Doing something with it and bringing a team and community together for a legendary season is another. Bors did that, and thus takes home the Bob Ritley Award as The News-Herald's football coach of the year.
First-Team Offense
QB, Scotty Fox, Mentor, So.
He threw for 3,098 yards and 29 touchdowns and also ran for 143 yards and three scores for the Cardinals.
QB, Alex Henry, Chardon, Sr.
He ran for 1,205 yards and 12 touchdowns, and also threw for 762 yards and six scores for the Hilltoppers.
RB Sean Patrick, Kenston, Jr.
He ran for 1,496 yards and caught 36 passes for 721 yards. On defense, he was a lockdown corner with three picks.
RB Burke Buell, NDCL, Sr.
He led the area with just under 1,500 yards rushing this season to go with 16 touchdowns.
WR Jacob Snow, Mentor, Sr.
He had 53 catches for more than 700 yards and eight touchdowns despite only playing half the season at receiver.
WR Jordan Stapleton, Mentor, Sr.
He had 54 catches and 750 yards to lead the Cardinals this season. Sure-handed receiver in every way.
OL George Prusock III, Kirtland, Sr.
He'll be a three-time first-team All-Ohioan by season's end. He's the heart of Kirtland's vaunted running game.
OL Logan Bryant, Chardon, Jr.
The anchor of the Hilltoppers' offensive line that ran for more than 3,000 yards this season.
OL Sean Doyle, Kenston, Sr.
Big, 275-pounder was a three-year starter and anchor of the Bombers' multi-faceted offense.
OL Nick Lulow, Riverside, Sr.
Guard and leading blocker for the Beavers, who had more than 3,500 yards offense this year.
OL Alex Azre, South, Sr.
An All-Ohioan last year, he graded out 93 percent blocking this year as the Rebels' offensive line anchor.
ATH Brayden Richards, Perry, Jr.
He had more than 2,000 yards total offense, including 891 rushing, 610 receiving and 567 in returns. A two-way standout.
K Sean Kerwood, Riverside, Sr.
He was 57-57 in conversion kicks with an area-best eight field goals and a long of 45 yards. Also a standout punter.
First-Team Defense
DL Brenan Vernon, Mentor, Sr.
Notre Dame commit had 55 tackles, 10 TFLs and a sack despite getting double-teamed all season.
DL Collin Fairbanks, Riverside, Sr.
Division II district defensive lineman of the year had 92 tackles, 36 of which were for loss. He also had 10 sacks.
DL Alex Kisley, Chardon, Sr.
Returning All-Ohioan had 87 tackles, 21 TFLs and eight sacks, playing the last four games with a torn ACL and MCL.
LB Jack Gedulding, Mentor, Sr.
Led the Cardinals with 120 tackles to go with eight TFLs and four sacks.
LB Philip LaVerde, Kirtland, Sr.
He heads into the state semifinal with 148 tackles, 32 TFLs and six sacks. Total disruptive force.
LB Ben DiMarco, Kenston, Sr.
He had 150 tackles, four sacks and seven TFLs in the heart of Kenston's defense.
LB Heath Fetchik, Chardon, Sr.
He led Chardon with 121 tackles and 17 TFLs. Will play college baseball, but could easily have played football.
DB Jake Elly, Riverside, Sr.
He had nearly 1,000 yards receiving, but he also was a lockdown defensive back with five interceptions and a slew of PBUs.
DB Miles Miller, Berkshire, Jr.
He did it all. Had more than 1,000 passing, more than 1,000 receiving and also intercepted six passes with five PBUs.
DB Trey Liebhardt, Chardon, Sr.
He had eight interceptions and seven PBUs, but was also a leading return man and a threat on offense.
DB Andrew Bruce, Chardon, Jr.
Division I college recruit had three picks, seven PBUs and was also a breakaway threat on offense and on returns.
ATH Dominic Johnson, Hawken, Sr.
He had more than 2,000 yards on offense with 33 touchdowns, and he also picked off six passes.
P Gianni Spetic, NDCL, Sr.
Rated five stars as a kicker by Kohl's, he's one of the top specialists in the nation. He'll kick at college but also averaged 40 yards per punt.
Second-Team Offense
QB, Nikko Georgiou, Kenston, Sr..: He threw for more than 2,100 yards with 18 touchdowns, while running for 375 and eight scores.
RB Tyrone Singleton, South, Sr.: He ran for 1,166 yards and 19 TDs, also caught 11 passes.
RB: Tommy Gogolin, Kirtland, Sr.: He has run for more than 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns heading into the state semifinals.
RB Rocco Alfieri, Kirtland, Jr.: He has run for more than 1,200 yards and 20 touchdowns heading into the state semifinals.
WR Tymir Cardona, Kenston, So.: Had 54 catches for just under 900 yards. The go-to man for QB Nikko Georgiou.
WR Brian Kellon II, University, Sr.: He caught 42 passes for nearly 700 yards and 10 TDs. Also returned kicks and punts. Sure-handed.
OL Carter Rudler, Riverside, Sr.: A top lineman for a Riverside team that had nearly 4,000 yards of offense this season.
OL A.J. Kifus, Perry, Sr.: Big, 6-5, 290-pounder was a key component to the Pirates' young offensive line.
OL Joseph Pekar, Kirtland, Sr.: Trimmed down from 255 to 205 this year, but his quickness at left tackle made him tough to block.
OL Jack O'Neill, Mentor, Sr.: A senior statesman for the Mentor line that paved the way for a Division I, Region 1 runner-up finish.
OL Anthony Iliano, Benedictine, Sr.: University of Maine commit was an All-Ohioan last year and graded high again.
ATH Jake Kavcic, Gilmour, Jr.: He threw for 1,958 yards and 31 touchdowns and also ran for 374 yards and four scores.
K Joseph Evans, Chardon, Sr.: He was 41-41 on conversion kicks with six field goals, and a long of 48. Also punted for 37.6 per boot.
Second-team defense
DL Chris Shea, Hawken, Sr.: He had 113 tackles, 21.4 TFLs and fiv sacks for the 8-3 Hawks.
DL Cooper Felger, Chardon, Sr.: Super-strong and physical lineman had 48 tackles, 14 TFLs and 3.5 sacks.
DL: Jack Novak, Kenston, Sr.: With 10 sacks and 27 TFLs, he was a big disruptive force all year long.
LB Collin Orosz, Mentor, Sr.: A hammer for the Cardinals' defense with 107 tackles, eight TFLs and four sacks.
LB Rocco Hice, Gilmour, Sr.: Piled up 103 tackles with 21 TFLs and five sacks. Also had six PBUs and two fumble recoveries.
LB Jason Ryan, Riverside, Sr.: He compiled 73 tackles, 17 TFLs and three sacks despite being double-teamed most of the year.
LB Owen McKoon, Perry, So.: He led the Pirates with more than 100 tackles. Smart, physical player with a huge upside.
LB Joe Barch, Mayfield, Jr.: Hard-hitting junior had 96 tackles, 27 TFLs and four sacks with two PBUs and fumbles caused.
DB Caleb Pohto, Mentor, Sr.: Ultra-reliable safety had 60-plus tackles, seven PBUs and four picks with three forced fumbles.
DB Will Sayle, Kirtland, Jr.: He was an all-Ohioan last year as a sophomore and should be this year, too.
DB Leo Colombi, Chardon, Jr.: Big-time Division I college recruit had 49 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, nine PBUs and two picks.
ATH Jamal Jefferson, Euclid, Jr.: Has offers from Kent State and Ball State. Standout corner who also caught passes and returned kicks.
P Tommy Funk, South, Sr.: He was not only a big-legged kicker, but also strong in the punting game to pin opponents deep.
Third-team offense
QB Colin Quinlan, South, Sr.: Dual-threat QB threw for 1,726 yards and nine touchdowns and also ran for 724 yards and six scores.
RB Amani Powell, VASJ, Jr.: He ran for 1,189 yards and 13 touchdowns. Only 5-5, 155 but extremely physical.
RB Ryan Pattison, University, Sr.: He ran for more than 1,000 yards this season as a physical back with good speed.
RB: Andy Kavic, Gilmour, Jr..: He ran for 1,207 yards and 19 TDs, with another 347 yards receiving.
RB Tanelle Rose, Brush, Jr.: He ran for 1,300-plus yards. Electric playmaker for the Arcs.
WR Aiden Fitzgerald, Lake Catholic, Sr..: He had 42 catches for more than 600 yards and eight touchdowns.
WR Nick Biega, Mayfield, Sr.: Had 652 yards receiving and 10 TDs, averaging 23 yards per catch. Also kicked and punted.
OL Johnny Haeseler, Geneva, Sr.: Geneva's anchor on their offensive line.
OL Brandon Johnson, VASJ, Jr.: The 6-4, 280-pounder paved the way for the Vikings' physical run game.
OL Tony Pastore, Mentor, Sr.: He helped the Cardinals' offense advance to the Division I, Region 1 championship game.
OL Hunter Sebulsky, Gilmour, Sr.: The linchpin to the Lancers' offensive line that produced high numbers all year long.
OL Tyler Gipson, Hawken, Sr.: Dominating 6-3, 300-pounder for a team that ran for more than 2,400 yards this year.
ATH Bo Jackson, VASJ, So.: Big and physical back has offers from Ohio State and Penn State, among others.
K Parker Munday, Kenston, Sr..: With 41 conversion kicks and six field goals, he was among the best in the business.
Third-team Defense
DL Brian Cox, Perry, Sr.: The anchor of Perry's defensive line had more than 50 tackles and led the team in sacks and pressures.
DL Christopher Sean Jackson, Hawken, Sr.: He had 50 tackles, eight sacks and 14 TFLs. He also played offensive line.
DL Daven Patel, Kirtland, Sr.: He has nearly 100 tackles as Kirtland prepares for a Division VI state semifinal.
DL Chase Smith, Euclid, Sr.: Big-time playmaker for the Panthers led the team in tackles and TFLs despite being double-teamed.
DL Max Soltis, Cardinal, So.: He had 44 tackles, 6.5 sacks and 13 TFLs as the anchor of both Huskies' lines.
LB Davon Badley, Harvey, Jr.: He led Harvey with 95 tackles, 15 TFLs, seven sacks and four interceptions.
LB Uzonna Nzekwe, Beachwood, Sr.: He had 130 tackles and a slew of TFLs. His big season put him on college recruiting radars fast.
LB Charlie Frederick, Chagrin Falls, Sr.: He had 117 tackles, three sacks and five TFLs coming off a back injury as a junior.
LB Cam Simpson, Riverside, Sr.: He had 96 tackles with 15 TFLs and three sacks. Very athletic and physical.
DB George Minello, University, Sr.: He had four interceptions and also 40 tackles.
DB Dante Landers, VASJ, Jr.: He allowed only four receptions against him this year. Had 15 PBUs and one pick.
DB Trey Reutter.: He had 105 tackles, 5 TFLs, and eight pass break-ups.
Ath Josh Brown, Berkshire, Sr.: He led the team in receptions on offense, and on defense had 80 tackles, 12.5 TFLs and six sacks.
Honor roll
Beachwood: Marquis Pinkney, Martez Pinkney
Benedictine: Ryan Konyecsni, Lucas Kaltenbach, Kenmari Hayes
Berkshire: Jason Brent, Salvatore Vargas, Elijah Southern
Brush: T.J. Williams
Cardinal: Josh Soltis, Logan Strever, Andrew Tucholski, Troy Domen
Chagrin Falls: Luke Cornell, Nicholas Vinci, Donny Hardy
Chardon: Austin Leszynski, Caleb Hewitt
Euclid: Ryan Merrill, Amaru Rand, Myshaun Turner
Fairport: Gabe Lawson, Will Fazekas, Zane Malkimaki, Maverrick Piotrowski
Geneva: Luke Smith, Hayden Diemer, Bryce Peet
Gilmour: Tommy McCrone, Louka Babic, Brayden Green
Harvey: Shahn Alston, Tyree Alston, Blaise Collins
Hawken: Luke Mangini, Jackson Hedin, Lucas Brandt
Kenston: Logan Toft, Max Robarge, Luke Leygraaf
Kirtland: Macguire Boyd, Matthew Kahley, Will Bates
Lake Catholic: Nick Pisano, Franke Trinetti, T.J. Gibbons
Madison: Carson Alley, Drew Laurie
Mayfield: Mikey Traczyk, Dylan Parnell, Anthony Santoro
Mentor: Kadyn Burkholder, Caden Markowski, Mitchell Waite
NDCL: Josh Grambo, Matt Urda, Griffin Moskal
North: Curtis Thomas, Reontae Lowery
Perry: Jaden Hacking, Owen Tomasic, Walter Moses
Riverside: Brady McKnight, Jason Mackey, A.J. Adams
South: Delond Moss, Bryce Figler, Quintin Wilson
University: Noah Tidmore, Sammy Martin, Jackson Boland
VASJ: Eric Elder, Brian Kortovich, Domnic Kirks, Rashawn Black
West Geauga: Travis Veleba, Andrew Marino, Finn Keenan
Wickliffe: Bobby Plumb
