As the Elyria players walked off the field after their final game this season, there was disappointment on their faces as the Pioneers had expected much more than a 4-6 record to finish the year.

But for two seniors, the final memory of their high school football careers will be landing on the Division I All-Ohio first team, which is exactly what offensive lineman Isaiah Byler and defensive back Trynell Davis did Monday.

“I was hoping for honorable mention or second team, so this is really exciting,” Davis said. “(Isaiah) said for the last couple of weeks that he felt like he might get it, but I didn’t know if I could. I’m really happy.”

Making the Division II All-Ohio first team were Avon Lake seniors Mike Mansnerus at running back and Dan Schneider at tight end. Divisions III and IV will release their All-Ohio lists today, and Divisions V and VI will be released Wednesday.

Davis, who also excelled at tailback for Elyria, had 50 tackles and four interceptions from his safety position, and ran two picks back for game-winning touchdowns. He also had a pair of pass breakups, a sack and a fumble recovery — helping him earn the team’s MVP award.

“I remember the interception against Amherst in the season opener,” Davis said. “It felt like I was playing Madden or something. It was like a dream come true.”

The Elyria players become the fifth pair of Pioneers to earn first-team selections in the same season, and the first to do it since Dennis Carpenter and Mike Appleby in 1979. Also on that list is Les Miles and Ike Maxwell (1971), Melvin Taylor and Dave Disbrow (1959) and Bill Marukowski and Walt Rock (1958).

“We were hoping to contribute to the history of this program,” Byler said. “Hopefully, we’ve set a good example for some of the guys that will be coming back and those who will one day be playing for the Pioneers.”

The selection wasn’t too shocking for Mansnerus, as he was named the Northeast Lake district player of the year, which automatically earned him a spot on the All-Ohio first team. Both he and Schneider managed to upgrade All-Ohio second-team selections from their junior seasons.

“I had two goals before this season began — to get the Southwestern Conference’s MVP award and to make the All-Ohio first team,” Mansnerus said.

Mansnerus accomplished both, and was thrilled to see offensive lineman Christian Pace (second team) and linebacker Nick Marinkov (third team) also earn All-Ohio recognition.

“These awards are big things,” the running back said. “It’s an individual award, but it really shows how good a team we were as well.”

Improving his status on the All-Ohio list wasn’t a big worry for Schneider, who signed to play college football at Pittsburgh next year.

“It really wasn’t a goal for me,” he said. “My goals were all team-oriented, and these postseason accolades didn’t really concern me too much. But it is great to be placed on a list with some of the best high school football players in the state.
“It’s great that I was able to leave my mark.”

Avon Lake managed to earn a playoff berth and win a postseason game before its season came to an end. Elyria wasn’t as fortunate, and the two Pioneers seemed happy to finish their careers with such a prestigious honor.

“I feel great that (Isaiah) got it because he worked so hard,” Davis said. “He played injured all year, and he went out there and blocked his butt off.”

Byler shed more than 50 pounds before his senior season working out with former Browns center LeCharles Bentley and following the tutelage of Pioneers coach Steve Hamilton. Now he’s ready for his rewards.

“I just got off the phone with (Davis),” he said. “I’m glad T-man got this award, too. He promised a rack of ribs for his linemen, so we’ll have to get together soon.”

DIVISION I

FIRST TEAM

OFFENSE: Ends—Devin Smith, Massillon Washington, 6-foot-2, 170 pounds, junior; Chase Cochran, Lebanon, 6-2, 170, sr. Linemen—Phil Huff, Hilliard Davidson, 6-3, 250, sr.; Andrew Donnal, Whitehouse Anthony Wayne, 6-7, 280, sr.; Matt James, Cin. St. Xavier, 6-7, 295, sr.; Jeff Myers, Massillon Washington, 6-3, 285, sr.; Isaiah Byler, Elyria, 6-5, 280, sr. Quarterbacks—Mark Myers, Cleve. St. Ignatius, 6-5, 225, sr.; Joe Missler, Tol. Whitmer, 6-0, 190, sr.; Caleb Watkins, Middletown, 6-4, 210, sr. Backs—Christian Bryant, Cleve. Glenville, 5-11, 180, sr.; Erick Howard, N. Canton Hoover, 5-11, 205, sr.; Jayshan Jackson, Westerville S., 5-7, 180, jr. Kickers—Tony Miliano, Cin. Elder, 6-2, 190, sr.; Kyle Clinton, Dublin Coffman, 6-0, 180, sr.; Eric Schaible, Findlay, 6-4, 190, sr.; Carey Spear, Mayfield, 5-10, 165, sr.; Trevor Ragan, Youngs. Boardman, 5-11, 180, sr.

DEFENSE: Linemen—Kenny Hayes, Tol. Whitmer, 6-5, 240, jr.; J.T. Moore, Youngs. Boardman, 6-3, 235, sr.; Marcus Rush, Cin. Moeller, 6-3, 235, sr. Linebackers—Brett Buehler, Dublin Coffman, 6-0, 218, sr.; Jordan Hicks, W. Chester Lakota W.,
6-2, 225, sr.; Jake Ryan, Cleve. St. Ignatius, 6-5, 225, sr.; Andre Cliff, Euclid, 5-9, 205, sr.; Andrew Garman, Canton GlenOak, 6-0, 205, sr. Backs—Bo Grunder, Massillon Washington, 5-11, 165, sr.; Jerry Gates, Middletown, 6-1, 200, sr.; Cheatham Norrils, Tol. St. John’s, 5-11, 170, sr.; Trynell Davis, Elyria, 5-11, 180, sr. Punter—James Forsythe, Canton McKinley, 6-3, 170, sr.

Offensive player of the year: Erick Howard, N. Canton Hoover.

Defensive players of the year: Jordan Hicks, W. Chester Lakota W.; Bo Grunder, Massillon Washington.

Coaches of the year: Jason Krause, Middletown; Rick Robertson, Springfield; Mark Crabtree, Dublin Coffman.

SECOND TEAM

OFFENSE: Ends— Jack Tomlinson, Westerville S., 5-9, 175, sr.; Shawn Richter, Eastlake N., 6-4, 200, sr.; Ben Coffaro, Cin. Elder, 5-9, 175, jr. Linemen—Jeff Tanner, Cin. Moeller, 6-4, 275, sr.; Anthony Frontine, Tol. Whitmer, 6-2, 250, sr.; Matt Rotheram, N. Olmsted, 6-6, 215, sr.; Brandon Bucknell, Twinsburg, 5-10, 275, sr. Quarterbacks—Robert Partridge, Massillon Washington, 6-2, 195, sr.; Eric Stewart, Cols. West, 6-1, 180, sr. Backs—Nathan Carpenter, Lancaster, 5-11, 200, sr.; Kyle Slater, Cin. Anderson, 6-0, 195, sr.; Bobby Grebenc, Cleve. St. Ignatius, 5-11, 195, jr.; Bryce Wilder, Canton McKinley, 5-9, 167, sr.

DEFENSE: Linemen—Roosevelt Nix, Reynoldsburg, 5-11, 240, sr.; Steve Miller, Canton McKinley, 6-4, 235, jr.; Ryan Conway, Brunswick, 6-2, 240, sr. Linebackers—Kenny Klatt, Hilliard Davidson, 6-0, 190, sr.; Trey DePriest, Springfield, 6-1, 219, jr.; Scott McVey, Cleve. St. Ignatius, 6-1, 225, sr.; Jewone Snow, Canton McKinley, 6-2, 225, sr.; Willie Tatum, Pickerington Cent., 6-2, 210, sr. Backs—Malcolm Pannell, Pickerington Cent., 5-11, 180, sr.; Will Carroll, Cin. St. Xavier, 6-2, 180, sr.; Danny Rymer, Medina, 6-0, 174, sr.; Latwan Anderson, Cleve. Glenville, 5-11, 190, sr. Punter—Greg Tabar, Cin. Colerain, 6-0, 180, sr.

THIRD TEAM

OFFENSE: Ends—L.T. Smith, Painesville Riverside, 6-1, 190, sr.; Chase Hammond, Youngs. Boardman, 6-4, 205, sr.; Anthony Schrock, Wadsworth, 6-3, 201, sr. Linemen—Brandon Good, Cin. Colerain, 6-1, 265, sr.; Mark Wiley, N. Canton Hoover, 5-11, 195, sr.; Ben Buzzelli, Wadsworth, 6-5, 286, sr. Quarterbacks—Richie Piekarski, Hudson, 6-3, 206, sr.; Jon Ballard, Youngs. Austintown Fitch, 6-3, 210, sr. Backs—Jordan Thompson, W. Chester Lakota W., 6-0, 210, sr.; Tim Wetzel, Mayfield, 5-10, 190, sr.; Mike Korecz, Mentor, 5-11, 195, jr.; Dion Johnson, Twinsburg, 5-7, 165, sr.

DEFENSE: Linemen—Jayrone Elliott, Cleve. Glenville, 6-4, 225, sr.; Darryl Baldwin, Solon, 6-7, 265, sr.; Deonte Gibson, Lakewood St. Edward, 6-2, 215, jr.; Xavier Ford, Troy, 6-2, 225, sr.; Terry Talbott, Huber Hts. Wayne, 6-3, 255, sr. Linebackers—Jamal Williams, Westerville S., 6-1, 220, sr.; Steven Daniels, Cin. St. Xavier, 6-1, 235, jr.; Ryan Phillis, Youngs. Boardman, 6-5, 225, sr.; Spyro Spondyl, Canton GlenOak, 5-8, 190, sr. Backs—Xavior Johnson, Clayton Northmont, 6-0, 197, sr.; Caleb Busson, Wadsworth, 5-11, 192, sr.; Josh Remark, Massillon Washington, 6-1, 175, sr.; Cameron Stuart, Solon, 5-11, 170, sr. Punter—Matt Marquette, Perrysburg, 6-2, 180, sr.

AREA SPECIAL MENTION

Justin Linder, Lorain Admiral King; Marty Thomas, Amherst.

DIVISION II

FIRST TEAM

OFFENSE: Ends—Lance Fanthorp, Morrow Little Miami, 5-foot-11, 175 pounds, senior; Zach Cvelbar, Mentor Lake Cath., 6-3, 190, sr.; Thaddeus Ingol, Barberton, 6-1, 195, sr.; Dan Schneider, Avon Lake, 6-4, 235, sr. Linemen—Aaron Shelton, Cols. Marion-Franklin, 6-5, 320, sr.; Derrick Stark, Trotwood-Madison, 6-1, 330, sr.; Kyle Cameron, Tol. Cent. Cath., 6-2½, 285, jr.; Chase Hounshell, Mentor Lake Cath., 6-5, 245, jr. Quarterbacks—Dominique Brown, Cin. Winton Woods, 6-3, 215, sr.; Patrick Angle, Logan, 6-1, 210, sr.; Clay Cameron, Dresden Tri-Valley, 6-0, 205, sr.; Marcus Fuller, Ashland, 6-0, 195, jr.; Verlon Reed, Cols. Marion-Franklin, 6-3, 205, sr.; Jerrod Ronyak, Mentor Lake Cath., 6-3, 210, sr. Backs—Devin Clodfelter, Cols. Independence, 5-9, 185, sr.; Antwan Gilbert, Trotwood-Madison, 5-11, 185, jr.; Mike Mansnerus, Avon Lake, 6-1, 185, sr.; Aaron Maslowksi, Medina Highland, 5-10, 180, sr.; Jeremiah Goins, Cin. Winton Woods, 5-10, 230, sr. Kicker—Kyle Burkhardt, Tol. Cent. Cath., 6-0, 165, sr.

DEFENSE: Linemen—Vinnie Rider, Athens, 6-3, 245, sr.; Harrison Scott, New Albany, 6-3, 260, sr.; Derrick Bryant, Cols. Brookhaven, 6-4, 235, sr.; Joel Heath, Cin. Mt. Healthy, 6-6, 240, jr. Linebackers—Zack Hitchens, Canal Winchester, 6-2, 230, sr.; Kyle Sanning, New Carlisle Tecumseh, 6-0, 205, sr.; Joe Ribiero, Mentor Lake Cath., 6-0, 190, jr.; Pat Behm, Chagrin Falls Kenston, 6-3, 190, sr.; Hunter Potts, Louisville, 6-2, 225, sr.; Matt Chambers, Warren Howland, 5-9, 185, sr.; Ray Bush, Tol. Rogers, 6-3, 215, sr. Backs—Braily Blair, Zanesville, 5-10, 190, jr.; Avery Cunningham, Cin. Winton Woods, 5-10, 180, sr.; Ryland Ward, Cols. Brookhaven, 5-11, 190, sr.; B.J. Lowery, Cin. Hughes Ctr., 5-10, 180, sr.; Courtney Avery, Lexington, 5-11, 185, sr. Punter—Pat Dyer, Tol. St. Francis, 6-2, 175, sr.

Offensive players of the year: Dominique Brown, Cin. Winton Woods; Patrick Angle, Logan; Devin Clodfelter, Cols. Independence.

Defensive players of the year: Joe Ribiero, Mentor Lake Cath.; Pat Behm, Chagrin Falls Kenston.

Coaches of the year: Dick Cromwell, Tol. St. Francis; Brian Cross, Lewis Ctr. Olentangy Orange.

SECOND TEAM

OFFENSE: Ends—Scott Loy, Tol. St. Francis, 6-3, 182, sr.; Mason Mays, Logan, 6-0, 175, sr. Linemen—Justin Stumph, Cols. St. Charles, 6-4, 280, sr.; Christian Pace, Avon Lake, 6-3, 270, sr.; Alex Lovasz, N. Ridgeville, 6-2, 240, sr.; Joe Neff, Louisville, 6-3, 265, sr. Quarterback—E.J. Tucker, Tol. Rogers, 6-3, 207, sr. Backs—Marcus Penn, Cols. Whetstone, 6-1, 195, sr.; Patrick Porter, Chagrin Falls Kenston, 5-11, 195, jr.; Parnell Taylor, Ravenna, 5-10, 183, sr. Kicker—Billy Fisher, Canfield, 6-0, 185, sr.

DEFENSE: Linemen—Paul Baker, Ashland, 5-11, 205, sr.; Joe Poyser, Louisville, 6-1, 210, sr.; Cody Reeseman, Warren Howland, 6-0, 280, jr.; Dominick Flewellyn, Maple Hts., 6-2, 270, sr. Linebackers—Preston Brown, Cin. Northwest, 6-3, 230, sr.; R.J. Rios, Tol. St. Francis, 6-1, 212, sr.; Cameron Ontko, Cuy. Falls Walsh Jesuit, 6-0, 218, sr.; Adam Cepik, Lodi Cloverleaf, 6-1, 210, sr. Backs—Tervon Moore, Dublin Scioto, 6-0, 160, jr.; Larez Harper, Cols. Beechcroft, 5-11, 200, sr.; Cameron Trefny, Olmsted Falls, 5-10, 165, sr.; Kyle Vaclav, Canfield, 5-11, 175, sr.; Mike Mangiarelli, Warren Howland, 6-0, 180, sr. Punter—Ryan Christianson, Uniontown Lake, 6-2, 193, sr.

THIRD TEAM

OFFENSE: Ends—Cody Hamilton, Lexington, 5-11, 190, sr.; Josiah Holt, Grafton Midview, 5-11, 180, sr. Linemen—Chris Cooper, Cin. Turpin, 6-2, 250, sr.; Neil Cates, Day. Carroll, 6-3, 300, jr.; Felix Fowler, Tol. Rogers, 6-7, 315, jr.; Evan Parker, Warren Howland, 6-1, 250, sr. Quarterbacks—Miles Iverson, Madison, 5-11, 185, sr.; Kyle Snyder, Barberton, 6-0, 200, sr. Backs—Will McEwan, New Philadelphia, 6-1, 185, sr.; Quinten Rollins, Wilmington, 6-0, 177, sr.; Tyson Gulley, Akron Garfield, 5-9, 180, sr.; Jim Luther, Uniontown Lake, 6-1, 178, jr. Kickers—Luke Rice, Lewis Ctr. Olentangy Orange, 5-9, 175, sr.; Alec Gates, Cin. Turpin, 5-10, 160, sr.

DEFENSE: Linemen—Spencer McGlade, Zanesville, 6-0, 185, sr.; Rashawn Thorpe, Cols. Marion-Franklin, 6-1, 215, jr. Linebackers—Aaron Russell, Maple Hts., 5-11, 220, sr.; Kevin Smith, Lexington, 6-1, 215, sr.; Nick Marinkov, Avon Lake, 6-1, 215, sr. Backs—Trenton Bird, New Philadelphia, 5-9, 150, sr.; Connor Briggs, Mentor Lake Cath., 5-11, 185, jr.; Troy Robinson, Cols. Mifflin, 5-8, 160, soph.; Gerren Duhart, Tol. Cent. Cath., 5-11, 160, sr. Punter—Jeremy McClard, Oxford Talawanda, 6-3, 160, jr.

Contact Shaun Bennett at 329-7137 or sbennett@chroniclet.com.

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