Hoban, Barberton, Tallmadge, Buchtel, Mogadore stars earn top all-district football honors

Michael Beaven, The Repository
·4 min read
Hoban running back Lamar Sperling, facing, celebrates a second-half touchdown run with reserve quarterback Michael Ciavolella during an OHSAA Division II state semifinal against Massillon, Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, in Akron.
Hoban running back Lamar Sperling, facing, celebrates a second-half touchdown run with reserve quarterback Michael Ciavolella during an OHSAA Division II state semifinal against Massillon, Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, in Akron.

Five Summit County players and three coaches earned top individual honors on the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association All-Northeast Inland District football teams.

Hoban running back Lamar Sperling was the Division II Offensive Player of the Year, while wide receiver Collin Dixon of Tallmadge shared that honor in Division III. Three players were defensive players of the year — Roosevelt Andrews of Barberton (Division II), Jermaine James of Buchtel (Division IV) and Mason Williams of Mogadore (Division VI).

The teams honor the top players from parts of Ashland, Columbiana, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit, Trumbull and Wayne counties. The teams are selected by a media panel from those areas.

Hoban running back Lamar Sperling, left, hops past Massilon defensive back Zachary Liebler during the second half of an OHSAA Division II state semifinal, Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, in Akron.
Hoban running back Lamar Sperling, left, hops past Massilon defensive back Zachary Liebler during the second half of an OHSAA Division II state semifinal, Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, in Akron.

Sperling, a finalist for Ohio's Mr. Football, has led the Knights (14-1) to the Division II state championship game against Toledo Central Catholic (14-1) at 7 p.m. Thursday at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.

According to Hoban's statisticians, Sperling has run for 3,511 yards and 55 touchdowns on 377 carries in 15 games this season. Sperling also has one receiving TD.

Sperling, a University at Buffalo recruit, has 1,425 rushing yards and 23 rushing touchdowns on 152 carries in playoff wins over Willoughby South (57-14), Barberton (41-13), St. Vincent-St. Mary (47-7), Hudson (41-7) and Massillon Washington (41-20).

Barberton student-athlete Roosevelt Andrews poses for a picture on Monday March 7, 2022 in Barberton.
Barberton student-athlete Roosevelt Andrews poses for a picture on Monday March 7, 2022 in Barberton.

Andrews shared defensive player of the year with Dorian Pringle of Massillon Washington. Andrews, a lineman on most plays, totaled 66 tackles (40 solos), 19 sacks, 26 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and 40 quarterback pressures in 12 games for Barberton (7-5).

Andrews also played on offense as a running back, fullback, tight end and tackle. He ran for one touchdown and had five pancake blocks.

Jeff Gough of Hudson was co-coach of the year in Division II, sharing the honor with Mike Gibbons of Highland.

Gough led Hudson to a 10-0 regular season and the Suburban League National Conference championship. The Explorers won three playoff games in Division II, Region 5 and finished 13-1.

Gibbons guided Highland to a 10-0 regular season and the Suburban League American Conference championship. The Hornets won two playoff games in Division II, Region 6 and finished 12-1.

Tallmadge receiver Collin Dixon runs past Copley's Zamarionne Logan after a first quarter catch on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022 in Tallmadge.
Tallmadge receiver Collin Dixon runs past Copley's Zamarionne Logan after a first quarter catch on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022 in Tallmadge.

Dixon shared offensive player of the year in Division III with Broc Lowry of Canfield. Dixon totaled 88 receptions for 1,493 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns in 12 games for Tallmadge (9-3).

Dixon also completed his only pass attempt for a touchdown, had 46 tackles, four interceptions (two returned for touchdowns) and returned one kickoff for a touchdown.

The Division III Co-Coaches of the Year were Glen Kruger of Norton and Justin Vorhies of Cloverleaf.

Norton, Cloverleaf and Woodridge shared the Metro Athletic Conference championship with 6-1 league records.

Kruger guided Norton to two playoff wins in Division III, Region 10 and a 10-3 overall record.

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In Division IV, James was defensive player of the year after totaling 73 tackles (43 solos), 10 tackles for loss, six sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery as a lineman in 12 games.

James helped Buchtel earn the City Series championship, win two playoff games in Division IV, Region 13 and finish with a 7-5 overall record.

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Williams, a two-way star for Mogadore, was the top defender in Division VI after essentially shutting down half of the field as a linebacker. The Ohio University recruit totaled 45 tackles and 25 QB pressures. He also rushed for 1,410 yards and 22 TDs.

Matt Adorni of Mogadore was the Division VI Coach of the Year after guiding his team to an unbeaten regular season and a trip to the regional finals. The Wildcats won three playoff games in Region 21 and finished the season 12-1.

Additionally, Medina quarterback Danny Stoddard was the Division I Offensive Player of the Year and the Bees' Larry Laird earned coach of the year after Medina went 11-2. Stoddard threw for 3,896 yards and 49 TDs, and added another 457 rushing with seven more touchdowns.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Hoban, Barberton, Tallmadge, Buchtel stars earn All-District honors