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Buchtel, East, Ellet, Firestone 2022 graduates finalize college football plans

michael beaven, akron beacon journal
·3 min read
East's Eric Holley III is lifted up by his teammates after he scored against Buchtel in their City Series game at Buchtel High School on Saturday, Oct, 2, 2021 in Akron.
East's Eric Holley III is lifted up by his teammates after he scored against Buchtel in their City Series game at Buchtel High School on Saturday, Oct, 2, 2021 in Akron.

A total of 15 football players who graduated from either Buchtel, East, Ellet or Firestone in 2022 have finalized their college plans.

Dragons coach Marques Hayes said six members from East’s class of 2022 are continuing to play football in college: Eric Holley III (Toledo), Cameron Cosey (Walsh), Navion Steadman (Walsh), Darion Blackmon (Westminster), Brandon Gates (Ellsworth) and Daileon Bussey (Ellsworth).

East won the City Series football championship and made the Division III playoffs last season.

A dynamic East Dragons star:Two-sport City Series Player of the Year Eric Holley III 'is the ultimate competitor'

As a senior, Holley was selected by City Series football coaches as the league’s Offensive Player of the Year and by City Series boys basketball coaches as the league’s Player of the Year. He earned All-Northeast Ohio Inland District and All-Ohio honors in football and basketball.

Holley totaled 43 receptions, 815 receiving yards, 12 touchdown receptions, two punt return TD's and one rushing TD in eight games as a senior. He also averaged around 26 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and three blocks per game in basketball.

Ellet quarterback Alex Faulconer, facing, gets a pass off before being brought down by Firestone linebacker Carlo Johnson during the second half of a football game, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021, in Akron, Ohio.
Ellet quarterback Alex Faulconer, facing, gets a pass off before being brought down by Firestone linebacker Carlo Johnson during the second half of a football game, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021, in Akron, Ohio.

Falcons coach Eric Mitchell said five members from Firestone’s class of 2022 are set to play college football: Carlo Johnson (Charleston), Zavion Green (Findlay), Cordan Williams (Lake Erie), Xander Obeng (Lake Erie) and Michael Kennedy (Wooster).

Firestone made a Division II playoff appearance last season.

More football from 2021 season:East, Firestone embrace opportunity to compete in OHSAA football playoffs

Johnson was picked by City Series football coaches as the league’s Defensive Player of the Year as a senior linebacker.

Johnson totaled 106 solo tackles, 34 assisted tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, two interceptions, six fumble recoveries, four forced fumbles, three pass break-ups and one touchdown as a senior in 11 games.

Griffins coach Bryan Williams said Buchtel 2022 graduates Marquez Rodgers and Thomas Cherry are going to play football at Alderson Broaddus University, and Joesiah McCann is set to play football at Wittenberg.

Ellet 2022 graduate Trenton Fink is continuing his football career at Hiram.

Firestone's Molly Rogers looks on in amazement after placing second in the girls 100 yard backstroke with a time of 54.12 seconds during the Division I State Swimming Championship at CT Branin Natatorium on Saturday.
Firestone's Molly Rogers looks on in amazement after placing second in the girls 100 yard backstroke with a time of 54.12 seconds during the Division I State Swimming Championship at CT Branin Natatorium on Saturday.

Firestone swimmers advance to college

Firestone swim coach Cindy Dial said that 2022 graduates Mia Nagle, Molly Rogers and Daniel Green are continuing their careers in the pool in college after competing in the Division I state meet in February.

Nagle is headed to Rice, Rogers is committed to Connecticut and Greene is set to go to Catholic University.

More on Firestone swimming:Firestone swimmers ready to compete, dance in Division I state championship meet in Canton

Rogers concluded her senior season at Firestone at the Division I state meet with a second-place finish in the girls 200-yard medley relay in a time of 1:43.55 and a second place in the 100 backstroke in 54.12 seconds.

Nagle, Tera Brilmyer and Emma Moore joined Rogers in the 200 medley relay. Nagle added a sixth place finsh in the state meet in the 100 breaststroke in 1:04.41.

Michael Beaven can be reached at mbeaven@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow Beaven on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MBeavenABJ.

More on Firestone swimming:Firestone junior swimmer Jonny Marshall wins second Division I state championship

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Buchtel, East, Ellet, Firestone 2022 graduates finalize college plans