Ten area high school football coaches and players received top Southwest District honors by the Associated Press on Monday. Four area coaches swept coach of the year honors and six area players did likewise as offensive or defensive players of the year.

None was a more unlikely winner than Miamisburg head coach Steve Channell, the Division I coach of the year. In his first season, the former longtime Edgewood head coach resurrected a Vikings program that had bottomed out, having won just four games the previous four seasons.

Miamisburg (7-3 overall, 4-1 Greater Western Ohio Conference South Division) hadn’t won a conference game since 2007. Miamisburg also ranked No. 9 in the final Division I, Region 4 computer rankings and missed the playoffs by just one spot.

“For a lot of reasons, it’s the most satisfying experience I’ve had in coaching,” Channell said. “Did we surprise some people? Absolutely; maybe even ourselves.”

Other area coaches of the year included Geron Stokes of Urbana (D-III), Sam Watson of Dixie (D-V) and Bradford’s Curtis Enis (D-VI).

Stokes led the Hillclimbers, who have won outright or shared three straight Central Buckeye Conference Mad River Division titles, to a 9-2 finish and a home playoff game. Watson guided the Greyhounds (7-4) to only their second winning season in the past 27 years and first playoff berth. Enis, the former Mr. Football at Mississinawa Valley, was just as impressive at Bradford. The Railroaders (8-3) posted their first winning season since 1994. It had been 30 years since Bradford’s only other playoff season.

Area offensive players of the year were Alter quarterback Malik Zaire (D-III), Fenwick all-purpose standout Frank Catrine (D-IV), Dayton Christian running back Heath Harding (D-V) and Bradford running back James Canan (D-VI). Area defensive players of the year were Michael McCray of Trotwood-Madison (D-II) and Brandon Flucas of Thurgood Marshall (D-III).

Teams are based on coaches’ recommendations and voting from Southwest District media. Teams are forwarded to AP for Mr. Football and All-Ohio consideration.