A successful team needs solid players and no area team was more successful that the Avon Eagles this season.
Just nine days after their regional championship appearance, the Eagles placed seven players on the All-Ohio Division II list — including three first-team selections, the most by a Lorain County team since Elyria Catholic had four in 2005.
Leading the way was senior quarterback Ryan O’Rourke, who threw for 1,978 yards, 30 touchdowns and no interceptions during Avon’s unblemished 10-0 regular season. Joining him was senior linebacker Alex Tabar and senior free safety Garrett Gronowski.
Also earning All-Ohio first-team selections were Amherst’s Cody Wenrich and Admiral King’s Chris Kimbro in Division I, and Avon Lake’s Adam Schneid and Berea’s Derrick Paster in Division II.
All-Ohio selections in Divisions IV, V and VI will be released today.
“I think it’s a good reflection on how good our team really was,” said O’Rourke, who was the Northeast Lakes District Offensive Player of the Year.
“Garrett plays on offense, too, so that could have gone either way for him. It’s definitely great to have seven players on the All-Ohio list.”
The fact Gronowski was tabbed for his defensive showing — giving Avon two first-teamers on defense and one on offense — was ironic because the Eagles were known for their explosive offense throughout the season.
“I think our defense was overlooked because of the outrageous numbers our offense was putting up,” Gronowski said of the 43.5 points per game the Eagles averaged during the regular season. “We really showed people that we were a hard-hitting, fast defense throughout the year, and it paid off.”
Gronoswski, who has already been offered a Division I scholarship to the Air Force, had 64 tackles, three forced fumbles and an interception in the secondary. Tabar led the team with 78 tackles, eight tackles for loss, five sacks and four forced fumbles.
“Those two guys definitely deserve this honor,” O’Rourke said. “That’s pretty special to have three first-teamers. I think we could have swapped a couple other players in and nobody would have been surprised to see them on that list.”
Seeing an Admiral King player make the first team may be a bit surprising for some, as an Admiral player hasn’t accomplished the feat since tackle Brian DeMarco — who went on to play at Michigan State and in the NFL — in 1989. The honor is certainly a byproduct of the Admirals’ 7-3 season, the best record they’ve turned in since 1987.
“I didn’t really think I could win that award because there are a lot of great football players in this state,” Kimbro said. “It’s a real big honor and I put a lot of hard work into this season to earn it.”
Kimbro, who believes he’ll eventually play for one of the Division I schools in the Mid-American Conference, finished with eight career interceptions — a school record — and was considered one of the best shutdown cornerbacks in the area. He finished with 45 tackles, two tackles for loss and 14 pass break-ups during his senior season.
Wenrich, a senior linebacker for the Comets, finished with a jaw-dropping 158 tackles, eight tackles for loss and two sacks. He helped lead Amherst to an 8-2 regular season and a playoff berth this year.
Schneid, who has already accepted a scholarship to Central Michigan, is one of the top offensive linemen on possibly one of the best offensive lines in Division II. The Shoreman continually shored up a line that allowed Avon Lake running backs to put up more than 2,000 yards on the ground.
“He’s the prototype kid to play offensive tackle for you,” Shoremen coach Dave Dlugosz said. “He’s blessed with lots of tools. He has great size, he’s extremely quick, has lots of agility, long arms and very quick feet. But he’s not happy just having those things, he also has a work ethic you just don’t see in most high school football players.”
The Shoremen went 8-2 during the regular season and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, and nobody was more relieved to have a positive end to their season than Schneid.
“I’ve been waiting for that and I’m happy to hear it,” he said when told of his selection. “We accomplished some good things this season, but we didn’t get as far as we’d hoped. This definitely helps with that. I’m pretty excited to hear the news.”
Contact Shaun Bennett at 329-7137 or sbennett@chroniclet.com.

Division I

First Team
OFFENSE
Ends—Josh Jones, Cin. Elder, 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, senior; Terrence Davis, Fremont Ross, 6-4, 200, sr.; Michael Edwards, Cle. Glenville, 6-1, 180, jr. Linemen—Josh Sucheki, Hilliard Davidson, 6-2, 265, sr.; Austen Bujnoch, Cin. Elder, 6-4, 275, sr.; Jack Mewhort, Tol. St. John’s, 6-6, 295, sr.; Marcus Hall, Cle. Glenville, 6-6, 305, sr.; Dom Boyle, N. Canton Hoover, 6-0, 210, sr. Quarterbacks—Mark Miller, Cin. Elder, 6-0, 170, jr.; Andrew Holland, Cle. St. Ignatius, 6-2, 200, sr. Backs—Tommy Farwick, Upper Arlington, 6-0, 206, sr.; Troy Bell, Tol. Start, 5-8, 175, sr.; Erick Howard, N. Canton Hoover, 5-10, 210, jr.; Jeffvon Gill, Euclid, 6-0, 195, sr. Kickers—Tony Miliano, Cin. Elder, 6-1, 170, jr.; Skyler Roberts, Findlay, 6-1, 175, sr.; Nate Freese, Strongsville, 5-10, 170, sr.
DEFENSE
Linemen—Pat Muldoon, Cin. St. Xavier, 6-4, 255, sr.; Ben Pike, Mentor, 6-3, 225, sr.; Aaron Williams, Canton GlenOak, 6-2, 270, sr.; Melvin Fellows, Garfield Hts., 6-5, 235, sr.; Adam Replogle, Centerville, 6-3, 275, sr.; Tim Kynard, Tol. St. John’s, 6-3, 240, sr. Linebackers—Zach Boren, Pickerington Central, 6-1, 240, sr.; Denicos Allen, Hamilton, 6-0, 206, sr.; Scott McVey, Cle. St. Ignatius, 6-1, 215, jr.; Joey Powell, Findlay, 6-0, 200, sr.; Jordan Hicks, Lakota W., 6-2, 210, jr.; Cody Wenrich, Amherst Steele, 6-0, 215, sr.; Jewone Snow, Canton McKinley, 6-2, 237, jr. Backs—Hunter Lent, Tol. St. John’s, 5-10, 190, sr.; Jamie Wood, Pickerington Central, 6-2, 195, sr.; C.J. Barnett, Clayton Northmont, 6-1, 187, sr.; Nick Priessman, Cin. Colerain, 5-11, 170, sr.; Tim Moore, Mentor, 6-0, 190, sr.; Chris Kimbro, Admiral King, 5-11, 180, sr.; J.T. Turner, Massillon Washington, 6-2, 180, sr. Punters—Aaron Kincade, Worthington Kilbourne, 6-3, 195, sr.; Steve Hull, Cin. Sycamore, 6-2, 180, sr.
Offensive players of the year: Erick Howard, N. Canton Hoover; Mark Miller, Cin. Elder; Andrew Holland, Cle. St. Ignatius.
Defensive players of the year: Zach Boren, Pickerington Central; Pat Muldoon, Cin. St. Xavier; Ben Pike, Mentor.
Coach of the year: Don Hertler, N. Canton Hoover.
Second Team
OFFENSE
Ends—Mandela Sheaffer, Findlay, 6-2, 200, sr.; Alex Kovach, Strongsville, 6-1, 180, sr.; Joey Parris, Cle. St. Ignatius, 6-1, 190, sr. Linemen—Kacy Yuhas, Upper Arlington, 6-1, 266, sr.; Ricky Harris, Westerville S., 6-3, 280, sr.; Matt James, Cin. St. Xavier, 6-7, 285, jr.; Nate Halbeisen, Fremont Ross, 6-3, 260, sr.; Tyler Joseph, Findlay, 6-1, 245, sr.; Adam Watson, Mentor, 6-2, 230, sr.; Andre James, Admiral King, 6-2, 290, sr.; Brian Winters, Hudson, 6-5, 317, sr.; Cory Linsley, Youngs. Boardman, 6-3, 270, sr. Quarterbacks—Taylor Wood, Delaware Hayes, 6-2, 215, sr.; Patrick Nicely, Cle. S., 6-4, 215, sr. Backs—Bud Golden, Cin. Sycamore, 6-1, 195, sr.; Tom Worden, Mentor, 5-11, 195, sr.; Anthony Harrison, Admiral King, 5-6, 165, sr. Kicker—A.J. Sarbaugh, N. Canton Hoover, 6-0, 185, sr.
DEFENSE
Linemen—Roosevelt Nix, Reynoldsburg, 5-11, 240, jr.; Seth Nelson, Groveport-Madison, 6-4, 245, sr.; Theo Traczyk, Strongsville, 6-3, 270, sr.; Steve Miller, Canton McKinley, 6-4, 201, soph. Linebackers—Brian Boland, Lakewood St. Edward, 6-1, 215, sr.; Andrew Garman, Canton GlenOak, 6-0, 200, jr.; Luke Batton, Macedonia Nordonia, 5-11, 200, sr.; Tim Hartzell, N. Canton Hoover, 6-2, 175, sr. Backs—Keith Moore, Grove City, 6-0, 195, sr.; Justin Bell, Groveport-Madison, 6-0, 180, sr.; Patrick Hinkel, Cle. St. Ignatius, 6-2, 205, sr.; Dan Fox, Cle. St. Ignatius, 6-4, 220, sr.; Cooper Ivan, Massillon Washington, 5-8, 162, sr. Punter—None listed.
Area Special Mention
Jamaine Cook, Midpark; John Taylor, North Olmsted.

Division II

First Team
OFFENSE
Ends—Xavier Fugate, Trenton Edgewood, 6-foot-4, 200 pounds, senior; Shaun Joplin, Syl. Southview, 6-2, 180, sr.; Darwin Cook, E. Cle. Shaw, 6-1, 180, sr.; Brandon Mathie, Louisville, 6-2, 185, sr. Linemen—Jake Smith, Cols. DeSales, 6-1, 260, sr.; Ryan Spiker, Dresden Tri-Valley, 6-4, 290, sr.; Andrew Norwell, Cin. Anderson, 6-7, 275, jr.; Alex Jones, Sandusky, 6-6, 301, sr.; Adam Schneid, Avon Lake, 6-5, 265, sr.; Clay Cooper, Warren Howland, 6-4, 275, sr. Quarterbacks—Clay Cameron, Dresden Tri-Valley, 5-11, 206, jr.; Patrick Angle, Logan, 6-1, 195, jr.; Eric Page, Holland Springfield, 5-10, 165, sr.; Neal Seaman, Louisville, 6-2, 200, sr. Backs—Brandon Rice, Cols. Walnut Ridge, 5-9, 182, sr.; Zachary Melling, Greenville, 5-9, 170, sr.; Tim Wetzel, Mayfield, 5-10, 180, jr.; Jack Squirek, Parma Normandy, 6-0, 215, jr.; Chris Snook, Medina Highland, 6-3, 228, sr.; Kyle Slater, Cin. Anderson, 6-0, 195, jr.; Tyler Fortner, Tallmadge, 5-11, 197, sr.; Devin Clodfelter, Cols. Independence, 5-10, 190, jr. Kickers—Ryan DiSabato, Lewis Ctr. Olentangy, 5-9, 175, sr.; Carey Spear, Mayfield, 5-10, 165, jr.; Eric Duale, Medina Highland, 5-6, 145, sr.
DEFENSE
Linemen—Cornelius Carradine, Cin. Taft, 6-5, 230, sr.; Cody Hayes, Mayfield, 5-10, 235, sr.; Michael Hilty, Powell Olentangy Liberty, 6-4, 240, sr.; Corey Whaley, Louisville, 6-3, 215, sr. Linebackers—Josh Kusan, Cols. DeSales, 6-0, 215, sr.; Dan Molls, Parma Padua Franciscan, 6-1, 215, sr.; Mitch Krotz, Madison, 5-11, 190, sr.; Greg Isley, Syl. Southview, 6-0, 200, sr.; Tyler Houska, Medina Highland, 6-4, 234, sr.; Eli Anglim, Cin. Anderson, 5-11, 195, sr. Backs—Michael Lawler, Dresden Tri-Valley, 6-3, 153, sr.; Tyrell Massey, Cols. Marion-Franklin, 5-11, 185, sr.; Chris Williams, Cin. Winton Woods, 5-10, 190, sr.; Courtney Avery, Lexington, 5-11, 170, jr.; Derrick Paster, Berea, 6-1, 170, sr.; Denerio Bryant, Kent Roosevelt, 5-9, 165, jr. Punter—Seth Willoughby, Cols. Watterson, 6-1, 178, sr.
Offensive players of the year: Eric Page, Holland Springfield; Neal Seaman, Louisville.
Defensive player of the year: Josh Kusan, Cols. DeSales.
Coaches of the year: Ryan Wiggins, Cols. DeSales; Larry Pinto, Mayfield; Jim Mayzes, Syl. Southview; Paul Farrah, Louisville.
Second Team
OFFENSE
Ends—Mason Mays, Logan, 5-11, 175, jr.; Dan Schneider, Avon Lake, 6-4, 230, jr.; Brian Slack, Akron Hoban, 6-5, 235, sr. Linemen—Cory Sorice, Day. Carroll, 6-4, 315, sr.; Kevin Thomas, Cin. Winton Woods, 6-3, 265, sr.; Jim McMahon, Syl. Southview, 6-2, 255, sr.; Dillon Miller, Uniontown Lake, 6-3, 275, sr.; David Sutter, Akron Hoban, 5-11, 240, sr.; Corey Street, Louisville, 6-1, 215, sr. Quarterbacks—Dominique Brown, Cin. Winton Woods, 6-3, 265, jr.; Alex Pidcock, Syl. Southview, 6-2, 220, sr. Backs—Jeremiah Goins, Cin. Winton Woods, 5-10, 222, jr.; Eric Jordan, Sandusky, 6-0, 190, sr.; Jordan Sandidge, Madison, 6-0, 195, sr.; Mike Mansnerus, Avon Lake, 5-11, 175, jr.; Laymon Carter III, Akron Hoban, 5-7, 180, sr. Kickers—Zac Murphy, Kings Mills Kings, 6-3, 175, sr.; Jamie Brower, Maumee, 5-11, 170, sr.
DEFENSE
Linemen—Jordan Jones, New Carlisle Tecumseh, 6-0, 210, sr.; Cody Fast, Ashland, 6-0, 245, sr.; Sean McCann, Avon Lake, 6-3, 245, sr.; Bryan Kuhn, Louisville, 6-1, 210, sr. Linebackers—Maalik Bomar, Cin. Winton Woods, 6-2, 210, sr.; Brian Gerhrisch, Mayfield, 5-10, 175, jr.; Tyler Scott, Warren Howland, 6-4, 230, sr.; Kyle Juszczyk, Lodi Cloverleaf, 6-3, 240, sr.; Delion Freeman, Alliance, 5-9, 210, sr. Backs—Grant Zwayer, Ashville Teays Val., 6-1, 160, sr.; Larez Harper, Cols. Beechcroft, 5-10, 200, jr.; Pat Sedlar, Day. Carroll, 6-0, 180, sr.; Bobby Swigert, Louisville, 6-0, 175, jr. Punter—John Howard, Cin. Anderson, 6-0, 180, sr.
Area Special Mention
John Atkinson, Olmsted Falls; Robby Van Zandt, Olmsted Falls; Nick Lowe, Westlake; John Howells, N. Ridgeville; Zach Laird, Olmsted Falls; Larry Tischler, Berea; Cody Bennington, Avon Lake.

Division III

First Team
OFFENSE
Ends—Cory Matlick, Dover, 6-foot-4, 185 pounds, senior; Ted Bolser, Cin. Indian Hill, 6-6, 220, sr.; Trevor Smith, Bellevue, 6-0, 180, sr.; Adam Black, Circleville Logan Elm, 6-1, 147, jr.; Justin Chappel, Hunting Val. Univ. School, 5-11, 190, sr.; Jerald Robinson, Canton S., 6-2, 175, jr. Linemen—Adam Bellamy, Aurora, 6-4, 285, sr.; Jake Brandt, Cols. Bexley, 6-6, 240, sr.; Zach Vermillion, Bellefontaine, 6-4, 250, sr.; Jared Branski, Clyde, 6-2, 215, sr.; Danny Russell, Chillicothe, 6-0, 243, sr.; Zehr Kaull, Rocky River, 6-0, 240, sr.; Nate Klatt, Canal Fulton NW, 6-4, 290, sr. Quarterbacks—Bo Cordell, Cin. Indian Hill, 6-1, 205, sr.; Corey Lisowski, Dover, 6-3, 180, sr.; Ryan O’Rourke, Avon, 6-2, 205, sr.; Alex Gillett, Clyde, 6-1, 190, sr. Backs—Storm Klein, Newark Licking Val., 6-2, 230, sr.; Brian Crader, Thornville Sheridan, 5-10, 170, sr.; Fitzgerald Toussaint, Youngs. Liberty, 5-10, 195, sr. Kickers—Jonathan Simmons, Eaton, 6-1, 200, sr.; Nick Liste, Niles McKinley, 5-11, 180, sr.
DEFENSE
Linemen—Nathan Schall, Rayland Buckeye Local, 5-11, 165, sr.; Darryl Wood, Cols. Eastmoor Acad., 5-11, 250, sr.; Drew Carpenter, Thornville Sheridan, 6-1, 220, jr. Linebackers—Sam Gauze, Franklin, 5-11, 189, sr.; Andrew Klindera, Chagrin Falls, 5-11, 215, sr.; Cody Cordle, Circleville Logan Elm, 5-11, 204, sr.; Mike McKinney, Canton S., 6-0, 210, sr.; Victor Rodriguez, Cols. Eastmoor Acad., 6-2, 230, sr.; Nick Truesdale, Lima Shawnee, 6-1, 215, jr.; Alex Tabar, Avon, 5-7, 168, sr.; Will Studlein, Sunbury Big Walnut, 6-3, 223, sr. Backs—Seth White, Cols. Bexley, 5-10, 183, sr.; Bobby Spence, Rayland Buckeye Local, 5-10, 155, jr.; Ethan Kagy, Tiffin Columbian, 6-0, 185, sr.; Isaiah Bell, Youngs. Liberty, 6-2, 215, sr.; T.C. Turner, Cols. East, 5-9, 225, sr.; Patrick Bruggeman, Day. Chaminade-Julienne, 5-11, 183, sr.; Garrett Gronowski, Avon, 6-3, 200, sr.; Romel Dismuke, Cle. Benedictine, 5-9, 184, sr. Punter—Allen Strouble, Alliance Marlington, 5-10, 155, sr.
Offensive players of the year: Storm Klein, Newark Licking Val.; Fitzgerald Toussaint, Youngs. Liberty.
Defensive players of the year: Seth White, Cols. Bexley; Bobby Spence, Rayland Buckeye Local; Ethan Kagy, Tiffin Columbian.
Coach of the year: Scott Bartholomew, Circleville Logan Elm.
Second Team
OFFENSE
Ends—Tyler Dummermuth, New Philadelphia, 6-2, 215, sr.; Chase Barnes, Kenton, 6-2, 185, sr.; Marty Sweeney, Cle. Benedictine, 6-2, 199, sr. Linemen—Ryan Wilborn, Cols. Eastmoor Acad., 6-3, 250, sr.; Clint Shepherd, Eaton, 6-4, 270, sr.; Michael Breland, St. Marys Memorial, 6-3, 300, sr.; Colby Rush, Kenton, 6-4, 255, sr.; Jonathan Busby, Thornville Sheridan, 6-0, 270, sr.; Pat McShane, Cuya. Falls Walsh Jesuit, 6-5, 290, sr. Quarterbacks—Corey Becher, Granville, 6-2, 175, sr.; Caleb Knights, Chillicothe, 6-2, 181, sr.; Brendan Gallagher, Aurora, 6-2, 180, sr.; Matt Rissel, Canton S., 6-1, 180, sr.; Carrington Hanna, Streetsboro, 6-1, 195, sr. Backs—Tyler Hardesty, Cambridge, 5-11, 205, jr.; Wes Skinner, Cadiz Harrison Central, 5-9, 170, sr.; Quinton Jones, Franklin, 6-1, 205, sr.; Brandon Stephenson, Lima Shawnee, 5-8, 190, sr.; Travis Spitnale, Defiance, 5-9, 175, sr.; Marquis Harrell, Avon, 5-10, 195, sr.; Blayre Davis, Ravenna, 5-11, 178, sr.; Armand Dehaney, Cuya. Falls. Walsh Jesuit, 5-9, 180, sr.; Evan Bach, Canal Fulton NW, 5-10, 175, jr. Kicker—Drew Basil, Chillicothe, 6-1, 174, jr.
DEFENSE
Linemen—Jaryd Brown, Germantown Valley View, 6-3, 220, sr.; Wade Miller, Urbana, 6-0, 200, sr.; Marcus Neal, St. Marys Memorial, 6-2, 270, sr. Linebackers—Harrison Rosch, Canal Winchester, 5-9, 180, sr.; Mike Slaga, Rayland Buckeye Local, 5-10, 160, sr.; Kyle Bailey, Shelby, 5-10, 195, sr.; Mark Fackler, Kenton, 6-3, 215, jr. Backs—Jake Budding, Tipp City Tippecanoe, 5-9, 181, jr.; Josh Fick, Minerva, 6-1, 195, sr.; Luke Wollet, Poland Seminary, 6-2, 180, jr. Punter—None listed.
Area Special Mention
Brett Jensen, Avon; Derek Hoebing, Vermillion; Josh Pierce, Avon; Galik Ryan, Avon; Dustin Hendricks, Vermillion; Justin Turner, Vermillion
 

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