Gridiron Greatness: Northeast Ohio's Top High School Football Standouts ShineAfter leading their teams to undefeated regular seasons, a group of talented high school football players from Northeast Ohio have been recognized for their exceptional performances. The Ohio Prep Sports Media Association has announced its selections for the all-district team, honoring the best players at their respective positions across seven divisions in the upper portion of Northeast Ohio.

Showcasing the Region's Pigskin Prodigies

Mentor's Scotty Fox and Avon's Nolan Good Earn Top Offensive Honors

Scotty Fox, the quarterback for Mentor High School, has been named the Northeast Lakes District Offensive Player of the Year in Division I. Leading his team to a 10-0 regular season record and a Greater Cleveland Conference championship, Fox threw for an impressive 2,170 yards with 28 touchdowns and just six interceptions, completing 64.6% of his passes. Meanwhile, Nolan Good of Avon High School has been recognized as the Division II Offensive Player of the Year. Good guided his team to a 10-0 season and a ninth consecutive Southwestern Conference title, throwing for 2,375 yards and 23 touchdowns while also rushing for 353 yards and five scores.

Defensive Standouts Shine Across the Divisions

On the defensive side of the ball, Nate Gregory of defending state champion St. Edward High School has been named the Division I Defensive Player of the Year. The senior linebacker led the Eagles with 172 tackles, including 61 solo hits, four tackles for loss, and three sacks. In Division II, Solon's Braeden Springer earned the Defensive Player of the Year award, recording nine interceptions and helping the Comets make a late push into the playoffs.Glenville junior linebacker Cincere Johnson has been recognized as the Division IV Defensive Player of the Year after finishing the regular season with 112 tackles and 28 tackles for loss, leading the defending state champions. In Division III, Sam Meeks of Chagrin Falls Kenston was named the Defensive Player of the Year.

Gilmour Academy and Kenston Earn Top Individual Honors

In Division III, Cooper Panteck of Gates Mills Gilmour Academy has been named the Offensive Player of the Year, while Sam Meeks of Chagrin Falls Kenston earned the Defensive Player of the Year award. In Division IV, Perry quarterback Walter Moses was selected as the Offensive Player of the Year, and Cleveland Glenville's Cincere Johnson was recognized as the Defensive Player of the Year.

Coaches of the Year Honored Across the Divisions

The all-district teams also recognized the Coaches of the Year in each division. Matt Gray of Mentor was named the Division I Coach of the Year, while Mike Elder of Avon earned the Division II Coach of the Year award. Don Shymske of Geneva was selected as the Division III Coach of the Year, and Desean Washington of Cleveland Heights Lutheran East was honored as the Division IV Coach of the Year.

Showcasing the Region's Pigskin Talent

The all-district teams feature players from high schools in Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, and Lorain counties, as selected by a committee of reporters from the Ashtabula Star Beacon, (Elyria) Chronicle-Telegram, cleveland.com, (Lorain) Morning Journal, and (Willoughby) News-Herald. These selections highlight the exceptional talent and dedication of the student-athletes in the Northeast Ohio region, who have demonstrated their prowess on the gridiron throughout the season.