Nothing but respect: Cincinnati football players offer shoutouts to opponents who impress
The fall season of high school sports is upon us. Who better to know what kind of talent Greater Cincinnati offers than the players themselves?
The Cincinnati Enquirer sought opinions from players across multiple conferences on opponents who have been impressive on the field this season. This week, area football players gave their input.
Check Cincinnati.com each week to see which area athletes get a shoutout from opponents.
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Want to give an opponent a shoutout for his or her stellar play this season? Contact Shelby Dermer at sdermer@enquirer.com or on Twitter @EnquirerShelby.
Max Autry, Madeira
"The person I'd like to acknowledge is Max Autry from Madeira. I've played him since seventh grade in football and basketball and he's always done a great job. I've always been able to see how hard he works and it's cool to see him on Twitter making plays for his team. I know he's done a great job and I have a lot of respect for him."
-Will Svendsen, Wyoming
Prior to the season, Autry was named on The Enquirer's watch list for the top wide receivers and defensive backs to watch in Cincinnati this season. That has translated on the field as Autry has helped Madeira jump out to a 5-0 start. Autry is third in the Cincinnati Hills League in receiving yards (258) and tied for the league lead with two interceptions. Autry has been a dual-threat for the Mustangs this season with 360 rushing yards, as well, and 11 total touchdowns (seven rushing, four receiving).
Autry was first-team all-district and third-team All-Ohio in Division V last season. He was second in receiving yards (700) in the CHL in 2021 and led the league with four interceptions.
Brayden Bischoff, Little Miami
"Brayden Bischoff from Little Miami really surprised me. Physically, he was able to run with our guys and he also got me for my first pick of the season last week. He is definitely an underrated player to watch in Cincinnati."
-Van George, Winton Woods
Bischoff, a 6-foot-1-inch senior, currently sits tied for second in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference in tackles (44) this season. Offensively, Bischoff has 21 catches for 273 yards and two touchdowns. He had a season-high 111 yards against Winton Woods last week and had eight catches for 77 yards and two touchdowns against West Clermont in Week 2.
Last season, Bischoff had 40 catches for 667 yards and eight touchdowns. Defensively, he posted 37 total tackles and an interception. He was named first-team all-district and honorable mention All-Ohio in Division II.
Austin Alexander, Cooper
"He (Alexander) is hands down one of, if not the best, defensive player in Northern Kentucky. Austin is a fast, physical player with a lot of length. He’s one of those players where if you try to run away from him and try to take him out of the game he will still find ways to make plays. I expect him to have a lot more Power 5 offers in the future."
-Xavier Campbell, Beechwood
Alexander, a 6-foot-3-inch, 219-pound sophomore defensive end, already holds offers from Akron, Eastern Kentucky, Liberty and Maryland. Alexander has 43 tackles and three sacks on the year for the Jaguars. Offensively, he's hauled in 13 receptions for 218 yards and three touchdowns.
As a freshman last season, Alexander had 61 tackles and 5.5 sacks.
K.C. Spears, Winton Woods
"I definitely respect K.C. Spears' game, from Winton Woods. He has great speed and is a nightmare after the catch. (He's) truly electric when he has the ball."
T.J. Nelson, Walnut Hills
Against Nelson's Walnut Hills Eagles in Week 2, Winton Woods rolled to a shutout win and Spears had a six-yard touchdown run and a 66-yard touchdown reception. In two games played, Spears posted seven catches for 116 yards and two touchdowns.
As a junior last season, Spears emerged late in the season, running for 526 yards in eight games, including a 228-yard, five-touchdown performance in Winton Woods' 42-25 win over La Salle in the Division II regional semifinals. Spears totaled just under 1,000 yards from scrimmage for the year, adding 24 catches for 464 yards and four scores. He was named first-team all-conference.
Tyrell Lewis, Wayne
"One player that I can give respect to is Tyrell Lewis, the quarterback from Wayne. He’s a young guy, but his mobility in and outside of the pocket is good. He has a good arm and is decent with his legs and knows how to buy time for his team to make the right reads and decisions."
-Ki'Arran Love, Fairfield
Lewis is in his second season starting for the Warriors after going under center as a freshman in 2021 and finishing fifth in the Greater Western Ohio Conference in passing to go with 10 touchdowns.
In just five games this season, Lewis is about to eclipse his passing total from all of last year and it started with a then-career-high 281 yards in a loss to Fairfield in Week 1 in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown. He threw for a touchdown and ran for another against the Indians. Since that defeat, Lewis has led Wayne to wins in three of the last four games.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Nothing but respect: Cincinnati football players shoutout opponents
