CLEVELAND, Ohio — Presenting the 2018 cleveland.com all-star football team.
Here is the offense, led by Player of the Year Jack Porter of Kenston. This all-area team is a collection of the area's top players this season from Cuyahoga and its six bordering counties. Including honorable mention, the area's top 10 to 15 players are recognized at each position.
The first team includes one quarterback, two running backs, three receivers and an offensive line with two tackles, two guards and a center, plus two specialists and a kicker. Tight ends are included with receivers.
Trevor Bycznski, Berea-Midpark
Bycznski (Cavanaugh Photography)
Height: 6-5
Weight: 230
Year: Senior
About Bycznski: The Rice recruit tore up passing records at Berea-Midpark. As one rival Southwestern Conference coach said in the preseason, "He's going to be a pro some day." No player in Northeast Ohio had Bycznski's combination of size and arm strength at quarterback. He threw for 3,506 yards and 34 touchdowns to 11 interceptions in the Titans' high-octane attack.
Honorable mention: Devin Dial, Maple Heights, Sr.; Nick Demchuk, Benedictine, Sr.; Garrett Dzuro, St. Edward, Sr.; Shane Hamm, Archbishop Hoban, So.; Ryan Maloy, Avon, Sr.; Joey Marousek, North Royalton, Jr.; Jack Mikolich, Avon Lake, Sr.; Drew Schiano, Perry, Jr.; Jon Tomcufcik, Kenston, Jr.
Tyris Dickerson, Archbishop Hoban
Dickerson (Hoban athletics)
Height: 5-10
Weight: 210
Year: Senior
About Dickerson: An Eastern Kentucky recruit, Dickerson carried the load for Hoban's running game during each of its last two OHSAA Division II state championship runs. He ran for 2,107 yards and 28 touchdowns this year, including a final performance of 211 yards on 28 carries in the Knights' 42-28 state title victory vs. Massillon.
Jack Porter, Kenston
Porter (Kenston athletics)
Height: 5-10
Weight: 175
Year: Junior
About Porter: Kenston won its first state championship in Division III with one of the most balanced offenses in the state, regardless of division. The Bombers put up 6,417 yards of total offense, an effort that included junior quarterback Jon Tomcufcik, receivers Bransen Stanley and Tyler Mintz, plus a punishing offensive line led by tackle Alex Robarge. Porter stirred it as not only a rushing threat, but in the receiving game, too. In 15 games, Porter rushed for 2,415 yards and 32 touchdowns. He added 15 receptions for another 230 yards and a TD. When Kettering Archbishop Alter tried to take away the run in the state championship, Porter still burst for 116 yards and three TDs.
Honorable mention: Jordan Castleberry, St. Edward, Sr.; C.J. Charleston, Gilmour, Sr.; Brandon Coleman, Columbia, Sr.; J.J. Coleman, Westlake, Sr.; Daylin Dower, Lorain, Jr.; Taylor Griffin, Strongsville, Sr.; Terrance Keyes Jr., St. Vincent-St. Mary, Jr.; Konner Riggs, Avon Lake, Sr.; Khennedy Scagliozzo, Amherst, Sr.; Jack Spellacy, Olmsted Falls, Sr.; Joey Torok, Kirtland, Sr.; Brian Trobel, Mentor, Jr.; Kyree Young, Barberton, So.;
Quintel Kent, St. Edward
Kent (St. Edward athletics)
Height: 6-0
Weight: 165
Year: Senior
About Kent: The Michigan recruit saved his best for last — eight receptions for 120 yards and two touchdowns, which broke a 10-all tie in the Division I state championship game and sent St. Edward to a 24-10 victory vs. Colerain. The Eagles might not have even made the playoffs had it not been for Kent, whose heroics spanned back to a regular-season road win at Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller. His 39-yard touchdown catch gave the Eagles a 29-22 win in the final 1:19. They made the playoffs as the seventh seed in Region 1. Kent finished with 59 receptions for 924 and 12 touchdowns in 14 games. He also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns and served as a cornerback later in the season against opponents' top receivers.
Bransen Stanley, Kenston
Stanley (Kenston athletics)
Height: 6-0
Weight: 165
Year: Senior
About Stanley: His duties including performing as a shutdown cornerback on defense, but Stanley shined on offense for the Division III state champion Bombers. He caught two touchdown passes in the state title game, serving as a catalyst in their 42-6 victory. For the year, Stanley finished with 62 receptions for 1,046 yards and 11 TDs to lead a talented core of Kenston receivers.
Bernard Bates, Maple Heights
Bates (Maple Heights athletics)
Height: 5-7
Weight: 155
Year: Senior
About Bates: The Mustangs ran through the Lake Erie League and regular season with an unbeaten record. They reached the Division II regional finals against state champion Hoban, and Bates topped the charts for a passing game that was one of the area's most potent. Bates finished with 1,295 yards on 69 receptions and 1,772 all-purpose yards with 21 total TDs. The effort helped quarterback Devin Dial to 3,614 yards passing and 46 TDs.
Honorable mention: Caden Clark, Archbishop Hoban (TE), Jr.; Connor Cmiel, St. Ignatius, Jr.; Joey Isabella, Mayfield, Jr.; Isiah Johnson, Midview, Sr.; Dre'Von Lindsay, Euclid, Sr.; Tyshawn Lighty, Lorain, Jr.; Bryce Profitt, Highland, Jr.; Carson Risher, Wadsworth, Sr.; Charles Rosser, Benedictine, Jr.; Mason Tipton, Archbishop Hoban, Sr.; Garrett Waite, Berea-Midpark, Sr.; Aidan Wells, St. Ignatius, Sr. (TE)
Ryan Jacoby, Mentor
Jacoby (Mentor athletics)
Height: 6-5
Weight: 265
Year: Senior
About Jacoby: An Ohio State recruit and three-year starter, Jacoby anchored an offensive line that dominated opponents to help Mentor win a share of the Greater Cleveland Conference and return to the Division I regional finals. They finished 13-2. Jacoby protected sophomore quarterback Ian Kipp's blindside while moving like a guard with the size and power of a tackle to match.
Nolan Rumler, Archbishop Hoban
Rumler (Hoban athletics)
Height: 6-4
Weight: 315
Year: Senior
About Rumler: Speaking of Big Ten tackles, Michigan wanted Rumler since early in his high school career at Hoban. The Wolverines got him: a four-year starter on an offensive line that bullied its way to help the Knights win four straight state championships. Rumler played both tackle spots and even doubled as goal-line defensive tackle.
Honorable mention: Michael Bergen, Avon, Sr.; Ron Carr, Solon; Ben Christman, Revere, So.; J.D. Duplin, Strongsville, Sr.; Darrius Johnson, Euclid, Sr.; Jim McAdams, Padua, Sr.; Aidan MacDonald, Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin, Sr.; Alex Robarge, Kenston, Sr.; Nick Samac, Mentor, Sr.
Jaden Baxter, Archbishop Hoban
Baxter (Hoban athletics)
Height: 6-1
Weight: 250
Year: Senior
About Baxter: A three-year starter on Hoban's state championship teams, Baxter's career began by opening holes for the school's No. 2 all-time rusher in Todd Sibley (second to Tyrell Sutton). This year, the Knights rushed for 4,597 and 73 touchdowns in 15 games. Baxter lineup next to Nolan Rumler for much, but not all of his career. He also led the charge on pull blocking to clear a path on breakout runs for 1,000-yard rushers Tyris Dickerson and DeaMonte Trayanum.
Chrishoun Roberts, St. Edward
Roberts (St. Edward athletics)
Height: 6-2
Weight: 300
Year: Senior
About Roberts: A captain for the Division I state champions, Roberts became the snowplow for the Eagles' run attack that produced two 1,000-yard rushers in Jordan Castleberry and Garrett Dzuro. Coach Tom Lombardo praised Roberts this year for his physicality and toughness, adding that St. Edward ran behind him for most of its big yards. Roberts graded out as a 92 percent blocker in the regular season.
Honorable mention: Ryan Beckman, Avon Lake, Sr.; Zach Cepis, St. Edward, Sr.; Steven Connor, Perry, Sr.; Matt Gabel, Wadsworth, Sr.; Tyler Jones, North Olmsted, Sr.; Sam Lofton, Olmsted Falls, Sr.; Jack Roesch, Avon, Sr.; Robert White, Akron East, Sr.
Sam Williams, Mentor
Williams (Mentor athletics)
Height: 6-1
Weight: 210
Year: Senior
About Williams: Mentor's offensive line was Northeast Ohio's most dominant, led by two Big Ten recruits in Ryan Jacoby and Nick Samac as bookend tackles. In between, Williams took over at center to guide the transition for sophomore and first-year starting quarterback Ian Kipp. As a result, Mentor reached the Division I regional championship and won a Greater Cleveland Conference share with an offense that put up 4,248 yards with Williams snapping to Kipp and junior Luke Floriea in the shotgun formation.
Honorable mention: Grant Abbott, St. Ignatius, Sr.; Ashawn Berry, Euclid, Sr.; Devin Crowder, St. Edward, Jr.; Austin Fulco, Kirtland, Sr.; Brendan Gordon, Wadsworth, Jr.; Justin Lovell, Aurora, Sr.; Carson McNellie, Lake Catholic, Sr.; Ergie Sulce, Rocky River, Jr.; Sean Wracher, St. Ignatius, (long snapper) Sr.
Jake Rogers, Highland
Rogers (Highland athletics)
Height: 5-9
Weight: 170
Year: Senior
About Rogers: Whether it is in the backfield, slot, on kick returns or defense at cornerback, Rogers did just about everything possible to help Highland in its Division II playoff bid. The Hornets finished 8-2, but missed the playoffs in their first year in Region 7. They were 11th with a 21.75 playoff point average, which would have placed them fifth in their old Region 6. Rogers scored 28 touchdowns, which included one kickoff return TD and another on a punt return. He finished with 2,284 total yards, including 1,402 rushing and 345 receiving. Rogers also had two interceptions on defense. He is a Bowling Green recruit.
Tre Tucker, Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy
Tucker (CVCA athletics)
Height: 5-10
Weight: 165
Year: Senior
About Tucker: CVCA used Tucker in just about every way possible, including quarterback and running back. Receiver is the main position for the fastest man (in the 40-yard dash) at last spring's Opening Regional in Massillon. A Cincinnati recruit, Tucker finished this season with 2,104 all-purpose yards and 36 touchdowns while helping the Royals to the Division IV playoffs. Perry coach Matt Rosati praised Tucker as "an unbelievable talent." Tucker turned in 67 yards and a touchdown on six receptions, plus 146 yards rushing and two more TDs in a season-ending 48-34 playoff loss to the Pirates.
Honorable mention: Leighton Banjoff, Elyria Catholic, Sr.; Matt Buser, Revere, Sr.; Luke Floriea, Mentor, Jr.; Blake Ruffner, Firelands, Sr.; Ethan Wright, Manchester, Jr.
Sam Webster, Revere
Height: 5-11
Weight: 205
Year: Senior
About Webster: A left-footed kicker, Webster hit 10-of-11 field goals with a season long of 38 yards. His only miss came on a 50-yard attempt, according to coach James Boyeas. In addition to Webster's field goals, he booted 53-of-58 kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks. He also hit 36-of-37 extra points. Webster also made the All-Ohio first team in Division III. The Minutemen finished 6-4.
Honorable mention: Sampson Agostine, Perry, Sr.; Harry Hebert, Avon Lake, Jr.; Erik Henderson, Amherst, Sr.; Mamadou Mbaye, Euclid, Jr.; Conor McIntosh, Mentor, Sr.; Ryan Rose, Cuyahoga Heights, Jr.; Gianluca Russo, St. Edward, Sr.; Ben Skowronski, Columbia, Sr.; Luka Zurak, Lake Catholic, Sr.
Need a refresher of the area's all-district honors and All-Ohio picks? Here is an index of them all.
- Northeast Lakes All-District
- Northeast Inland All-District
- Division I All-Ohio
- Division II All-Ohio
- Division III All-Ohio
- Division IV All-Ohio
- Division V All-Ohio
- Division VI All-Ohio
- Division VII All-Ohio
Contact sports reporter Matt Goul on Twitter (@mgoul) or email ([email protected]). Or log in and leave a message below in the comments section.
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