All-Blade Football Team: Offense

11/22/2012

Jeff Dew.

Jeff Dew

School: Central Catholic Size/Class: 6-3, 290; senior Position: Lineman

Scouting report: With his size and physical attributes, he's capable of pushing the pile and creating running room. Nimble on his feet, he's a reliable pass-blocker and run-blocker. His presence up front may be difficult to measure from a statistics standpoint, helping the Irish reach as Division II state semifinal.

Coach's comment: "Jeff graded at over 90 percent (as an offensive lineman) this season. He gave up only two sacks. He started every game both ways." — Greg Dempsey

Amir Edwards

School: Central Catholic Size/Class: 5-10, 195; junior Position: Running back

Scouting report: Edwards was a key reason the Irish were ranked No. 1 in Division II in Ohio for many weeks, finished 9-1 in the regular season, and have advanced to a state semifinal. He embodies plenty of speed and power, and has produced 1,501 rushing yards on 210 carries, including 26 touchdowns.

Coach's comment: "Amir is a complete running back. He has great speed, vision and toughness. Amir is a threat to take it to the end zone on every touch, but is also great at getting the tough yards. Amir is a special talent at the running back position." — Greg Dempsey

Eric Hart

School: Whitmer Size/Class: 5-7, 245; senior Position: Lineman

Scouting report: The most effective blocker on team that has rushed 556 times for 3,490 yards (268 yards per game), passed for 1,656 yards (127 a game), and scored 42.5 points per game. All-TRAC and Division I all-district first team for 13-0 Panthers (ranked No. 3 in Ohio and playing in their third straight state semifinal).

Coach's comment: "Eric is an extremely scrappy kid. He's not very tall but he has a huge heart, and he goes about things the right way. He's a throw-back type offensive lineman. He's a very good drive blocker and very good at kicking out. His average [blocking] grade per game was 92 percent." — Jerry Bell

Nick Holley

School: Whitmer Size/Class: 6-0, 175; senior Position: Quarterback

Scouting report: Holley led Panthers to TRAC title, No. 3 state ranking, and 13-0 record entering Division I state semifinals. All-TRAC and all-district first team; offensive player of the year on both. He rushed 208 times for 1,734 yards and 19 TDs, and completed 115 of 183 passes for 1,587 yards and 21 TDs. Also had two interceptions; All-Blade player of the year.

Coach's comment: "Nick is an unbelievable athlete and one of the smartest players I've ever coached. He brings competitiveness and an ability to lead our team. He can make plays at any given time, with his arm or with his feet. Having him back there builds a confidence in his teammates. They believe in him as a competitor and as a leader." — Jerry Bell

Nick Keller

School: Genoa Size/Class: 6-0, 232; senior Position: Lineman

Scouting report: Two-way player named All-Northern Buckeye Conference first-team center as a junior and senior, and also earned first team at linebacker both seasons. Lineman of the year in the NBC and district. He led team with 62 knockdown blocks in 2011 and 76 in 2012. At linebacker, led the Comets in tackling for the second consecutive year with 133 (53 solo, 80 assists) this year and had six sacks, recovered two fumbles, and one interception.

Coach's comment: "Nick Keller is a throwback player. He would be a perfect fit on any team I have coached over the past 29 years. He is a tireless worker that loves playing the game. Nick played three weeks with a stress fracture in his foot." — Tim Spiess

Jordan Lauf

School: Napoleon Size/Class: 6-5, 191; senior Position: Wide receiver

Scouting report: The University of Toledo basketball recruit decided to play football for first time since his freshman year after playing soccer. He was an All-Blade basketball selection last season. Lauf had 33 catches for 721 yards. He had 16 TD receptions with a long of 61 yards and averaged 21.8 yards per catch. Also averaged 38.9 yards per punt. Named All-NLL and Division III all-district first team, and helped Wildcats to NLL title and regional final.

Coach's comment: "Jordan Lauf possesses all of the ‘measurables' — including height, wing span, speed, vertical jump, but what sets Jordan apart is his knowledge of the game, as well as his ability to position himself to make plays." — Tory Strock

Matt Miller

School: St. John's Size/Class: 6-5, 255; senior Position: Lineman

Scouting report: Miller has committed to the Wisconsin. He is the brother of University of Michigan lineman Jack Miller. He had team-high 31 pancake blocks. The captain fought through a knee injurys he suffered in Week 3. Two-year starter played a key role in both the running and passing games. On defense, made 28 tackles (17 solo, 11 assists).

Coach's comment: "He has great hand placement, and he's smart. His pass sets are very good. He was our best linemen by far, and we would have been in trouble without him. Matt understands how the game is played. When he puts on 25 or 30 pounds he will be scary. He will have a great opportunity to show his prowess there." — Doug Pearson

Kyle Nutter

School: Genoa Size/Class: 5-11, 214 Position: Running back

Scouting report: He shattered school records for rushing yards in a season (2,322) and career (5,835), and most career touchdowns (90). As a linebacker, he had 41 solo tackles, 68 assists five tackles for loss, two interceptions, five fumble recoveries and one defensive TD. He scored 230 points (38 TDs) this year. In career, had nine interceptions, 10 fumble recoveries. He set school record for most yards rushing in a game (412 versus Huron in last season's playoffs).

Coach's comment: "Kyle is the first player in my career to be a first team all-league selection on both sides of the ball for three consecutive years. He has an unmatched work ethic of any athlete I have ever coached." — Tim Spiess

Colt Pettit

School: Patrick Henry Size/Class: 6-4, 250; junior Position: Lineman

Scouting report: Named All-Northwest Ohio Athletic League and all-district first team. He has offers from five Mid-American Conference schools and three from Big Ten programs. He helped lead the Patriots reach the Division V regional final. All-Blade special mention as a sophomore.

Coach's comment: "He has tremendous athleticism for a big linemen. College coaches and scouts love his agility. We pull him on many of our running plays." — Bill Inselmann

Vance Settlemire

School: Findlay Size/Class: 5-10, 175; senior Position: Running back

Scouting report: He proved himself as one of the area's most versatile offensive players. The Trojans' No. 1 offensive threat used his elusiveness, speed and power to produce 1,934 rushing yards on 171 carries, including a school record 33 rushing touchdowns, which is one of 10 school records set this season. He finished the season with a single-season school record total of 34 TDs and 206 points.

Coach's comment: "Vance has speed and quickness. He can run with power when he needs to. He has a nose for the end zone and was a threat to score on every snap. His best football is yet to come." — Mark Ritzler

Steve Slocum

School: Perrysburg Size/Class: 6-2, 195; senior Position: Quarterback

Scouting report: He rushed for 1,308 yards and passed for 1,304 (2,612 total yards) and scored 176 points. Three-year starter rushed for 2,262 and threw for 2,962 yards in his career; Also had 57 receptions for 833 yards and scored 285 career points. As placekicker, he made 46 of 46 extra points, 5 of 6 field goals with a long of 37 and had 10 kickoffs for touchbacks. As defensive back, he had 51 tackles and six interceptions, returning three for TDs.

Coach's comment: "He's honestly the ultimate kid. He is a focused kind of leader. The sky is the limit for him. He's an awesome kid to have. He also is top 10 in his class, plays piano, is active at church, and in the national honor society." — Matt Kregel