Seven City League players received All-Ohio first-team honors on the Associated Press football teams announced Monday night.
In Division I, Whitmer senior quarterback Joe Missler and junior defensive end Kenny Hayes, and St. John's Jesuit junior defensive back Cheatham Norrils made the first team. Also on the first team were Anthony Wayne lineman Andrew Donnal and Findlay placekicker Eric Schaible.
Whitmer senior offensive lineman Anthony Frontine was a second-team pick, and Perrysburg senior punter Matt Marquette earned third-team honors.
In Division II, Central Catholic senior placekicker Kyle Burkhardt joined junior offensive line teammate Kyle Cameron, Rogers' senior linebacker Ray Bush, and St. Francis' senior punter Pat Dyer on the first team.
Rogers senior quarterback E.J. Tucker garnered second-team honors in D-II along with two St. Francis seniors, receiver Scott Loy and linebacker R.J. Rios.
Rogers junior offensive lineman Felix Fowler and Central senior defensive back Gerren Duhart were third team.
Dick Cromwell of St. Francis de Sales shared top coach-of-the-year honors in Division II.
Despite missing two-plus games to injury, Missler combined for over 1,600 yards passing and rushing to help 9-1 Whitmer to its first City championship, a No. 8 state ranking, and a playoff berth. Teammate Hayes, who has verbally committed to Ohio State, made 50 tackles, including 10 for losses.
The 6-foot-7, 285-pound Donnal - who has committed to Iowa and has been invited to play in the Jan. 9 U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio - had 31 pancake blocks, plus recorded 36 tackles and four sacks doubling at defensive tackle.
Norrils, a first-team All-City selection on offense and defense, returned two of his seven interceptions for touchdowns, and made 35 tackles.
Burkhardt converted 13-of-16 field-goal attempts during the regular season, including a school-record 57-yarder and two others from 52 yards. He was 29-of-30 on extra points, and also booted 27 kickoffs for touchbacks. The 6-2 1/2, 285-pound Cameron has twice been named first-team All-CL and all-district.
The 6-3, 215-pound Bush, who has committed to the University of Toledo along with teammate Tucker, recorded 90 tackles, including 13 for losses for the 9-1 Rams.
Dyer punted for a 40.4-yard average, and sent 21-of-36 kickoffs for touchbacks for 9-1 St. Francis.
Cromwell led the Knights to a 9-1 regular-season record, No. 5 state ranking and to the regional finals in his 26th season at St. Francis, where he has posted a 208-85-1 record.
North Canton Hoover back Erick Howard, the 2008 Mr. Football, was the offensive player of the year in Division I.
Jordan Hicks of West Chester Lakota West shared top defensive honors with Massillon Washington's Bo Grunder.
Division II players of the year are Dominique Brown of Cincinnati Winton Woods, Logan's Patrick Angle, Devin Clodfelter of Columbus Independence, Mentor Lake Catholic's Joe Ribiero and Chagrin Falls Kenston's Pat Behm.
First Published December 1, 2009, 10:51 a.m.
