Knights have 3 selected All-Ohio
11/27/2001St. Francis de Sales and senior tailback/safety Rodney Gamby have already had a memorable football season, and it got a little better yesterday with the release of the Associated Press All-Ohio teams.
Gamby, one of three Knights named to the Division II first team, was also honored as the offensive player of the year. Joining him were junior teammates Andrew Stanford, on the offensive line, and John Lonchyna, at linebacker.
Brandon Fields of St. John's Jesuit was named as the Division I first-team punter.
The 5-10, 186-pound Gamby, who transferred to St. Francis from Bedford last January, rushed for 1,389 yards on 175 carries and scored 19 touchdowns in nine regular-season games for the ninth-ranked Knights.
St. Francis (12-1) looks to add the final jewel Friday night against Columbus Watterson (11-3) in the state championship game in Massillon.
In four playoff wins, Gamby has added 809 yards on 99 carries and scored 11 TDs for season totals of 274 attempts, 2,198 yards (8.0-yard average) and 30 TDs. The yardage is believed to be a City League record.
Stanford, a 6-3, 289-pound left tackle, has excelled by combining quick feet and strong drive-blocking skills.
Lonchyna (6-1, 222 pounds) is the leader of a talented defensive unit which allowed just 7.8 points per game.
Also a Division II first-team pick was Tiffin Columbian senior running back Brett Krupp. The second team included Central Catholic offensive lineman Tyler Stewart.
Fields was the only local player on the Division I first team.
Fields is a highly-recruited 6-6, 215-pound senior punter who also started on both lines for the Titans. He averaged 41.7 yards per kick.
Bowsher offensive lineman Chris Cousins, Perrysburg running back Nick Jacobs and linebacker Adam Holloway, and Fremont Ross defensive back Bo Martin, all seniors, made the Division I second team.