Moeller's Jordan Marshall, Wyoming's C.J. Hester denied Ohio Mr. Football
Despite a pair of top-notch finalists from Ohio Division I and Division IV, the 2022 Mr. Football Award went north on Thursday to Akron Hoban running back and University of Buffalo commit Lamar Sperling.
Sperling was the Northeast Inland District Offensive Player of the Year. Hoban played Toledo Central Catholic, which defeated Kings last week in the DII state semifinals for the Division II title Thursday night. The Knights fell short, 28-21. However, Sperling ran for a Division II title game record of 358 yards to finish the season with 3,984 yards and 59 touchdowns (a new OHSAA record). Last season Winton Woods downed Hoban for the 2021 DII crown.
Cincinnati had two finalists for 2022 Mr. Football with running backs C.J. Hester of Wyoming and Moeller's Jordan Marshall, both Southwest Ohio Offensive Players of the Year in their respective divisions, being considered along with Cleveland Heights quarterback Darreon Fair, Gahanna Lincoln running back Diore Hubbard, Hoban's Sperling, Perrysburg quarterback Connor Walendzak and Millersburg Holmes quarterback Mason Wolfe.
The Ohio Prep Sportswriter's Association votes on the award and each member was allowed to select up to three players. A first-place vote was three points, second-place was two and third-place one.
In terms of membership, the northern counties have the advantage as there are 64 members from the Northwest region and 46 from the Northeast. By comparison, Southwest Ohio has 41 members and Southeast 15, a 110-56 advantage. The Central region has 30 members and the East has 15.
Southwest Ohio did have the 2019 winner in Wyoming's Evan Prater and the 2020 winner in Roger Bacon's Corey Kiner, both currently Cincinnati Bearcats. Prior to that, there was a 27-year drought between Cincinnati winners dating back to Norwood's Marc Edwards in 1992.
The case for Wyoming's C.J. Hester
Hester is a three-time Southwest District Offensive Player of the Year in Division IV and a four-year contributor for the Cowboys. Coming into Saturday's state final with Cleveland Glenville, he ran for 3,074 yards and 48 touchdowns with five receptions for 68 yards and another score. Defensively, he's had 17 tackles, a sack and two interceptions, including a pick six, when needed. His top games were 372 yards and six touchdowns against Mariemont, 351 yards and a score against Madeira and 369 yards and five touchdowns against last year's Division IV champion, Clinton-Massie.
As a junior, he ran for 2,484 yards and 35 touchdowns and as a sophomore playing 10 games in the pandemic year of 2020 he had 1,121 yards for 17 touchdowns and 57 tackles as a defensive back.
What are the possible reasons for him not winning?
Hester's numbers stack up with anyone. However, some may feel the teams he racked up yards against might not stack up with others in Divisions I or II. That's not the player's fault as the schedule is the schedule. The Southwest District also forwarded two finalists, which could have diluted the vote, right or wrong.
"C.J. Hester is the best running back in the state of Ohio," Wyoming coach Aaron Hancock said. "Everyone knows he's getting the football and he can still make tremendous runs."
Hester is committed to Western Michigan but the Broncos just fired their coach, Tim Lester. Though he hasn't swayed, a top performance in the state final might warrant some new suitors.
The case for Moeller's Jordan Marshall
Marshall was one of two juniors up for the award with Gahanna Lincoln's Hubbard, who was the Central Division I Offensive Player of the Year with 2,306 rushing yards, 287 receiving yards and 29 total touchdowns.
The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Marshall is a four-star recruit on numerous Division I lists and is considered one of the top running backs in Ohio as well as being Top 10 in the country, according to 247Sports.com.
Moeller fell for the second straight year in the Division I state semifinals to Springfield with the only other loss coming to state finalist Lakewood St. Edward. Already with 26 Division I offers, Marshall was at Ohio State for the Buckeyes vs. Michigan game and he's also visited Cincinnati.
After running for 1,155 yards as a sophomore, he totaled 1,951 as a junior with 30 touchdowns against arguably the best competition in the state. He also had 19 receptions for 364 yards and four touchdowns. That was even while missing Moeller's initial playoff win against Hamilton. When he came back against St. Xavier he had his best game of the year, running for 263 yards and four scores.
What are the possible reasons he did not win?
Sometimes voters are swayed by large numbers without comparing the level of competition. Also, some voters give preference to seniors over non-seniors. Marshall undoubtedly will be a preseason favorite for this honor next fall.
"He's a 'Johnny Consistent' guy," Moeller coach Mark Elder said. "You know you're going to get an 'A' effort and 'A' performance from him week in and week out."
Marshall plans on making his college choice before the start of his senior season.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio Mr. Football goes to Hoban RB Lamar Sperling; why not Cincinnati
