All-Area football: The top players in Divisions VI, VII

The combined Divisions VI-VII All-Area football team, chosen by Cox Media Group Ohio. Selections were based on coaches’ nominations.

DIVISIONS VI-VII

First Team Offense

Quarterbacks: Nathan Bruns, Marion Local, 6-6, 195, sr.; Elliott Gilardi, Lehman Catholic, 6-0, 170, sr.; Jake Hemmelgarn, Coldwater, 5-11, 150, jr.; Logan Hurst, Mechanicsburg, 6-2, 175, jr.; Collin Moore; Fort Loramie, 6-0, 190, so.; Jacob Ullmer, Bethel, 5-10, 180, sr.

»» RELATED: Marion Local’s winning combination

»» RELATED: It’s a first for Fort Loramie

Running backs: Nolan Habodasz, Marion Local, 5-11, 175, sr.; Joey Mascadri, Mechanicsburg, 5-10, 175, sr.; Zach Niekamp, St. Henry, 6-1, 195, sr.; Alex Schmitmeyer, Minster, 5-11, 180, sr.

Receivers: Charlie Bertemes, Southeastern, 6-2, 190, sr.; Cole Frilling, Coldwater, 6-4, 175, sr.; Carter Mescher; Fort Loramie, 6-0, 170, sr.; Hunter Muir, Ansonia, 6-5, 190, sr.; Nick Tangeman, Marion Local, 6-4, 175, sr.; Kix Thiel, Mechanicsburg, 6-0, 195, jr.

Linemen: Nick Baker, Troy Christian, 6-2, 260, sr.; Reece Eifert, Marion Local, 5-10, 200, sr.; Grant Imwalle; Fort Loramie, 6-0, 245, sr.; Payton Lange, St. Henry, 6-3, 220, sr.; Ross Shook, Ansonia, 5-10, 230, sr.

»» RELATED: Football state semifinal pairings

»» RELATED: Area teams in state semifinals

Kicker: Blake Dippold, Coldwater, 5-9, 190, jr.

First Team Defense

Linemen: CJ Billing; Fort Loramie, 6-0, 210, sr.; Collin Detrick; Fort Loramie, 6-0, 280, sr.; Grant Doucette, Troy Christian, 6-0, 220, sr.; Darrin Hays, Marion Local, 5-8, 180, sr.; Preston Jackson, Tri-County North, 6-3, 300, sr.; Gage Kerrigan, Covington, 5-7, 200, jr.; Ethan Knapke, Lehman Catholic, 6-0, 175, sr.; Noah Luiken, Dayton Christian, 6-0, 365, jr.

»» RELATED: Quick start propels Marion Local

»» PHOTOS: Marion Local vs. Coldwater, football playoffs

Linebackers: Parker Dysinger, Covington, 5-11, 170, sr.; Max Hoying; Fort Loramie, 5-10, 190, so.; Sam Huelsman, Marion Local, 6-4, 230, sr.; Dylan Kelley, Bethel, 5-11, 205, jr.; Hayden McKee, Southeastern, 6-0, 235, jr.; Mitch Niekamp, Coldwater, 5-10, 180, sr.; Andrew Rowland, Ansonia, 5-10, 215, sr.

Secondary: Mykah Eichie, Catholic Central, 6-1, 190, sr.; Sam Lefeld, St. Henry, 6-3, 185, sr.; Matt Rethman, Marion Local, 5-11, 155, sr.; Mark Seger; Fort Loramie, 6-4, 185, jr.; Matthew Shook, Ansonia, 6-0, 165, sr.; John Tangeman, Marion Local, 5-10, 170, sr.

Punter: Brandon Fleck, Marion Local, 5-11, 185, jr.

»» FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS: It’s Coldwater vs. Marion Local

»» RELATED: Top Southwest District honors for area players, coaches

Co-Offensive players of the year: Nathan Bruns, Marion Local; Zach Niekamp, St. Henry

Co-Defensive players of the year: Max Hoying, Fort Loramie; Sam Huelsman, Marion Local

Co-Coaches of the year: Tim Goodwin, Marion Local; Spencer Wells, Fort Loramie

Second Team Offense

Quarterbacks: Trent Collins, Mississinawa Valley, 6-2, 180, sr.; Mac Davis, Northeastern, 6-1, 165, sr.; Seth Griswold, Dayton Christian, 6-0, 170, jr.; Cade Schmelzer, Covington, 6-2, 185, jr.; Brian Stinson, Tri-County North, 6-0, 155, sr.; Trevor Woodruff, West Liberty-Salem, 5-7, 150, jr.

»» RELATED: List of area seniors who signed

»» RELATED: UC lands Xenia standout

Running backs: Jason Blake, Troy Christian, 6-0, 190, jr.; Will Hall, Mississinawa Valley, 5-9, 165, sr.; Dylan Rice, Triad, 5-10, 190, sr.

Receivers: Isaiah Bruce, Triad, 6-2, 205, sr.; Austin Bruner, Tri-Village, 5-8, 165, sr.; Andrew Cates, Covington, 6-1, 185, jr.; Cody Frericks, Minster, 6-6, 195, sr.; Brandon Pollock, Cedarville, 5-10, 175, sr.; Max Queen, Northeastern, 6-2,175, sr.

Linemen: Caleb Harding, Cedarville, 5-11, 210, sr.; Jack Knapke, Fort Recovery, 6-4, 250, sr.; Devin Siefring, St. Henry, 5-10, 195, sr.; Trevor Warren, Dayton Christian, 6-2, 175, sr.; Derek Wilker, Marion Local, 6-3, 215, sr.

»» RELATED: Football playoffs an Alter tradition

»» RELATED: Lebanon leaving GWOC

Kicker: Michael Denning, Lehman Catholic, 6-1, 180, sr.

Second Team Defense

Linemen: Cooper Cole, Tri-County North, 6-2, 185, so.; Brandon Heitkamp, New Bremen, 6-2, 201, sr.; Thad Lawrence, West Liberty-Salem, 5-10, 210, jr.; Isaac Lee, West Liberty-Salem, 5-11, 230, jr.; Jacob Rindler, New Bremen, 6-2, 204, sr.; Mason Sullenbarger, Tri-Village, 5-9 190, sr.; Micah Trimbach, Troy Christian, 5-8, 200, jr.; Kyle Wolfe, West Liberty-Salem, 6-0, 284, jr.

»» RELATED: Northmont falls to Pickerington Central again

»» PHOTOS: Northmont vs. Pickerington Central, football playoffs

Linebackers: Johnny Edwards, Lehman Catholic, 5-10, 170, fr.; Josh Hivner, Troy Christian, 5-8, 175, sr.; Jake Hurst, Mechanicsburg, 5-9, 150, fr.; Major Stratton, West Liberty-Salem, 6-0, 215, sr.; Codey Taylor, Northeastern, 6-2, 205, jr.; Ben Wenning, Coldwater, 5-10, 180, sr.; Ian Wilson, Covington, 5-11, 190, sr.

Secondary: Drew Barhorst, Lehman Catholic, 6-0, 170, jr.; Derek Eyer, Tri-Village, 5-7, 155, sr.; Mike Ketner, Minster, 5-10, 165, sr.; Hayden Lee, Cedarville, 5-10, 180, sr.; Nathan Waltz, Troy Christian, 6-0, 155, jr.

Punter: Devyn Sink, Ansonia, 5-10, 185, sr.

»» RELATED: 7 things to know about the football playoffs

»» RELATED: Final football power rankings

Honorable mention: Cade Cottingim, Twin Valley South; Caleb Twiss, Troy Christian; Keith Bebout, Caden Coleman, Mechanicsburg; Nick Burden, West Liberty-Salem; Sam Jackson, Dayton Christian; Zac Woodall, National Trail; Jayden Heltsley, Arcanum; Wyatt Hutchins, Tri-County North; Cody Eyer, Layne Sarver, Tri-Village; Michael Hall, Austin Helmke, Reece Stammen, Ansonia; Austin Bails, Riley Louck, Triad;

»» FACEBOOK: For more sports you should like Marc Pendleton

»» TWITTER: You should like @MarcPendleton

Tucker Eriksen, Aaron Flores, Jason Rutschilling, Southeastern; Bradly Haynes, Lehman Catholic; Josiah Brewer, Hunter Gheen, Larkin Painter, Gavin Trevino, Bradford; Beltran Dorado Lagarga, Griffin Meyer, Fort Loramie; Cody Dirksen, Max Dirmeyer, Mississinawa Valley; Gavin Thobe, Fort Recovery; Eric Schlarman, Marion Local; Jay Knapke, St. Henry; Myles Blasingame, Coldwater; Sam Schmiesing, Minster.

»» FACEBOOK LIVE: Hartsock and Pendleton on football playoffs

About the Author