High school football: Brunswick's Eli Nichols named to All-Ohio Division I first team

The transformation of Eli Nichols becoming a solid outside linebacker to star defensive end was one of Medina County's biggest individual storylines over the last two seasons, and Thursday the Brunswick senior picked up his biggest honor when he was named Division I first-team All-Ohio by the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association.The 6-foot-2, 225-pound Northeast Inland D-I District Defensive Player of the Year was a force for the Blue Devils, racking up 66 tackles and leading Medina County in tackles for loss (20), sacks (9) and forced fumbles (5). Included was a game-sealing goal-line stop against Euclid, and he also rushed for 596 yards and eight touchdowns.Nichols, the first Brunswick player to be named first-team All-Ohioan since quarterback Steven Ficyk in 2014 and 14th overall, finished his career with 166 tackles (37½ for loss, 14½ sacks).He wasn't the only Medina County player honored. Brunswick kicker Vincenzo DiTeodoro was a second-team selection and Medina linebacker Jack Fletcher made the third team, while the Blue Devils' Sean Barnett (QB) and Andrew Hayes (RT) and the Bees' Cliff Nicholson (DL) were honorable mention.DiTeodoro broke the county record for career field goals in his final game, launching a career-long 49-yarder against Massillon Jackson that gave him 19 in four seasons. The 6-0, 225-pound senior also had 32 touchbacks on 47 kickoffs and averaged 38.5 yards per punt.The 6-0, 190-pound Fletcher was a breakthrough star for the Bees, getting better as the season progressed en route to 95 tackles (17½ for loss, 3 sacks). The senior's highlights were 19 tackles against Lorain and a 38-yard fumble return for a touchdown against Shaker Heights.Barnett, a 6-4, 200-pound senior, was the catalyst for an improved Blue Devils offense with 522 rushing yards and 1,233 passing yards, while the 6-1, 230-pound Hayes was the top blocker as Brunswick found success running off-tackle behind the senior. The 6-3, 235-pound Nicholson capped his three-year career with an excellent second half of the season, finishing with 71 tackles (6½ for loss, 1½ sacks) and two fumble recoveries.The OPSMA All-Ohio teams are selected by a panel of chairmen from each of the seven districts.Contact Albert Grindle at (330) 721-4043 or agrindle@medina-gazette.com. All-Ohio teamsOffensive players of the year — Levi Davis, Lewis Center Olentangy Orange; Ryder Hooks, Liberty Township Lakota EastDefensive players of the year — Derek Uran, Cincinnati Elder; Storm Miller, StrongsvilleCoach of the year — Wes Schroeder, Lewis Center Olentangy OrangeFIRST TEAMOffenseQuarterbacks — Levi Davis, Lewis Center Olentangy Orange, 6-0, 187, sr.; Rocco Williams, Pickerington Central, 6-2, 205, sr.; Matt Ponatoski, Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller, 6-1, 200, sr.; Kaden Estep, Cincinnati Elder, 6-0, 170, jr. Running backs — Jackson Farley, Mentor, 5-9, 195, sr.; Brandon White, St. Edward, 5-8, 200, sr.; Lucas Fickel, Lewis Center Olentangy Orange, 6-0, 205, sr.; Kyelin West, Canton McKinley, 5-9, 170, so.; Ryder Hooks, Liberty Township Lakota East, 5-8, 185, sr. Ends — Zach Hackleman, St. Edward, 6-1, 170, sr.; Justen Hodge, Mentor, 6-1, 189, sr.; Owen Steele, Grove City, 5-10, 170, sr.; Jamier Averette-Brown, Huber Heights Wayne, 6-0, 180, jr.; P.J. MacFarlane, Liberty Township Lakota East, 6-5, 215, sr. Linemen — Landry Brede, Mentor, 6-6, 295, sr.; Mason Wilhelm, St. Edward, 6-4, 305, sr.; Jack Marquard, St. Edward, 6-5, 265, jr.; Luke Collins, Gahanna Lincoln, 6-5, 280, sr.; Tyrell Scott, Cincinnati Elder, 6-4, 300, sr.; Patrick O'Brien, Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller, 6-5, 292, jr.; Reed Gerken, Perrysburg, 6-4, 285, jr. Kicker — Kofi Adubofuor, West Chester Lakota West, 6-1, 192, sr.DefenseLinemen — Collin Crocker, St. Edward, 6-1, 230, sr.; Austin Adkins, Strongsville, 6-3, 245, sr.; Daniel Stephens, Lewis Center Olentangy, 6-0, 295, sr.; Eli Nichols, Brunswick, 6-2, 225, sr.; Royce Rogers, Springfield, 6-1, 270, sr.; Derrick Singletary, Middletown, 6-3, 215, sr. Linebackers — Storm Miller, Strongsville, 6-3, 215, sr.; Daunte Curtis, Pickerington North, 6-1, 225, sr.; Carter Kuhn, Powell Olentangy Liberty, 5-10, 200, sr.; Derek Uran, Cincinnati Elder, 6-2, 200, sr.; Ja'Kobe Clapper, Cincinnati St. Xavier, 6-2, 215, sr.; Aden Reeder, Cincinnati St. Xavier, 6-3, 215, sr.; LJ Glover, Toledo Whitmer, 6-1, 215, sr. Backs — Henry Perrymond Jr., Cleveland Heights, 5-10, 167, sr.; Kaden Gebhardt, Lewis Center Olentangy, 6-2, 195, sr.; Tyreke Ruffin, Groveport-Madison, 6-0, 185, sr.; Treyton Schroeder, Lewis Center Olentangy Orange, 5-9, 160, sr.; Rihyael Kelley, Cincinnati Winton Woods, 6-3, 180, sr.; Brayden Reilly, Cincinnati St. Xavier, 6-3, 210, sr.; Jordan Vann, Middletown, 6-1, 205, sr. Punter — Luca Licata, Dublin Jerome, 5-8, 155, sr.SECOND TEAMOffenseQuarterbacks — Dylan Papushak, Berea-Midpark, 6-1, 190, jr.; Bodie Smith, Newark, 6-0, 195, sr.; Jonny Evanchick, St. Edward, 6-1, 175, sr. Running backs — Andyriq Thomas, Pickerington North, 5-8, 190, jr.; Edmund McAllister, Pickerington Central, 5-9, 180, fr.; Joey Morales, Toledo Whitmer, 6-0, 210, sr.; Daniel Vollmer, Cincinnati St Xavier, 6-2, 220, sr. Ends — Nick Reece, Berea-Midpark, 6-1, 192, jr.; Jon'ir Travis, Cincinnati Winton Woods, 5-9, 170, sr.; Reggie Watson, Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller, 5-6, 165, jr.; Zion Neal, Cincinnati Princeton, 5-10, 170, sr.; Landen Miree, Cincinnati Princeton, 6-4, 230, sr. Linemen — Colin Prichard, Mentor, 6-5, 255, sr.; Josh Jones, Delaware Hayes, 6-2, 255, sr.; Luke Grover, Lewis Center Olentangy, 6-6, 305, sr.; Marquis Myers, Springfield, 6-2, 253, jr.; Jack Harper, Springboro, 6-2, 285, sr.; Paxton Tengesdahl, Huber Heights Wayne, 6-2, 275, sr.; Kyler Koopmans, Toledo Whitmer, 6-4, 285, sr. Kickers — Edward Oakley, Upper Arlington, 6-6, 180, jr.; Vincenzo DiTeodoro, Brunswick, 6-0, 225, sr.DefenseLinemen — Brady Bush, Solon, 6-2, 250, jr.; Hudson Aultman, Delaware Olentangy Berlin, 6-5, 295, sr.; Chris Smith, Pickerington Central, 6-3, 220, sr.; Christian Harris, Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller, 6-2, 300, sr.; Reilly Newman, West Chester Lakota West, 6-7, 277, jr.; Zack Aubry, Toledo Whitmer, 6-0, 215, sr. Linebackers — Aiden Peterson, St. Edward, 6-0, 210, sr.; Carson Wolk, Mentor, 6-3, 220, sr.; Jake Sikula, Berea-Midpark, 5-10, 207, sr.; Andrew Petzinger, Upper Arlington, 5-9, 195, sr.; Jeremy Mann, Gahanna Lincoln, 5-11, 230, sr.; Jahmiere Daniels-Portis, Springfield, 6-1, 190, jr.; Cam Thomas, West Chester Lakota West, 6-1, 202, sr. Backs — Drew Morgan, Mentor, 5-11, 180, sr.; Jayshon Thomas, Cleveland St. Ignatius, 5-10, 185, sr.; Landon Lehmer, St. Edward, 6-0, 190, jr.; Geo McKnight, Pickerington North, 5-11, 170, so.; Emoni Smith, Galloway Westland, 6-1, 180, sr.; Shad Davis, Canton McKinley, 5-10, 180, jr.; Andrew Wells, Cincinnati Princeton, 5-11, 195, sr. Punter — Cooper Mizeur, Massillon Jackson, 6-0, 175, sr.THIRD TEAMOffenseQuarterbacks — Carson Welsh, Grove City, 6-0, 197, sr.; Christopher Wallace, Springfield, 6-0, 175, jr.; Luke Faler, Lebanon, 6-1, 185, sr.; Miles Bailey, Findlay, 6-0, 200, sr. Running backs — Kendrick Boddie, Strongsville, 5-8, 192, jr.; JJ Henry, Marysville, 5-11, 185, sr.; Corey Jacobs, Massillon Jackson, 6-1, 185, sr. Ends — Tyson Clay, Berea-Midpark, 5-10, 160, jr.; Germere Sanchez, Galloway Westland, 6-1, 210, jr.; Trent Wolpert, Upper Arlington, 6-2, 190, sr.; Noah Bilinski, Springboro, 6-1, 175 jr.; Nick Lautar, Lebanon, 6-5, 235, sr. Linemen — JoJo LoDuca, Mentor, 6-3, 275, sr.; Quinten Young, Strongsville, 6-0, 280, sr.; Michael van der Oord, St. Ignatius, 6-7, 280, sr.; Cam Davis, Newark, 6-5, 285, sr.; Bo Schaefer, Upper Arlington, 6-5, 270, sr.; Remley Bowen, Lewis Center Olentangy Orange, 6-3, 290, sr.; Logan Hayes, Canton McKinley, 6-4, 275, sr. Kickers — Christian Gutierrez Sanchez, Groveport-Madison, 5-11, 175, jr.; Brayden Heitmeyer, Perrysburg, 5-9, 170, sr.; Vincent Roncone, Strongsville, 5-11, 165, jr.DefenseLinemen — Ezra Williams, Lorain, 5-11, 280, sr.; Nick Zalewski, Thomas Worthington, 6-6, 235, sr.; Logan Krooner, Hilliard Darby, 6-4, 225, jr.; Eckley Bridges, Hamilton, 6-2, 255, sr.; Caillou Robinson, Cincinnati West Clermont, 6-1, 240, sr. Linebackers — Levi Springer, Elyria, 5-9, 160, sr.; Ben Schenk, Mentor, 6-1, 210, sr.; DeAngelo Nardone, Dublin Jerome, 6-2, 210, sr.; CJ Sanna, Lewis Center Olentangy, 6-3, 225, sr.; Antonio Stevens, Canton McKinley, 6-0, 230, jr.; Jack Fletcher, Medina, 6-0, 190, sr.; Evan Weinberg, Springboro, 6-3, 225, sr. Backs — Makhi Boone, St. Edward, 6-0, 170, sr.; Brodon Moore, St. Edward, 5-10, 170, sr.; Brayden Thomas, St. Edward, 6-0, 180, sr.; Xayvion Dunn, Mentor, 6-1, 165, sr.; Nate Dawson, Cincinnati Winton Woods, 6-2, 185, sr.; Chris Bradley, West Chester Lakota West, 5-9, 156, jr. Punter — Zane Graven, Thomas Worthington, 6-0, 180, jr.Honorable mentionQuarterbacks — Jayrece Dixon, Galloway Westland, 6-1, 205, sr.; Sean Barnett, Brunswick 6-4, 200, sr.; Max Miller, Springboro, 6-3, 190, jr.; Bryshawn "JuJu" Brown, Cincinnati Winton Woods, 6-6, 200, sr.; Aiden Kirkpatrick, Troy, 6-0, 192, sr.; Brogan Jones, Mentor, 6-3, 185, jr. Running backs — Austin Tatulinski, Strongsville, 5-9, 150, fr.; Elijah Harris, Cleveland Heights, 5-10, 180, so.; Toriano Allen, Lorain, 5-10, 190, sr.; Jahmeir Gordon, Lancaster, 5-11, 163, jr.; Javi'Ion McClendon, Canton GlenOak, 6-1, 200, sr.; Andre Bailey, Hamilton, 5-10, 190, sr., RB; Logan Doty, Kettering Fairmont, 5-10, 200, jr.; Kenyon Norman, West Chester Lakota West, 6-1, 191, jr.; Parker Johnson, Centerville, 5-9, 210, sr. Ends — Dylan Maddox, Berea-Midpark, 6-1, 175, sr.; Alex Espay, Strongsville, 5-10, 160, sr.; Trey Haddad, St. Ignatius, 6-1, 170, jr.; Ben Godwin, Powell Olentangy Liberty, 6-2, 190, sr.; Cordell Ball, Cincinnati Oak Hills, 6-2, 177, so.; Cooper McCutchan, Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller, 6-5, 240, sr.; Aaron McFarland, Cincinnati Oak Hills, 6-1, 185, sr.; Carter Imke, Findlay, 5-8, 160, jr. Linemen — Jaylen Moore, Lorain, 6-2, 285, sr.; Jackson Goodspeed, Elyria, 6-3, 275, sr.; Cal Maloney, Berea-Midpark, 6-3, 240, sr.; Gibril McLendon, Mentor, 6-3, 260, sr.; Andrew Hayes, Brunswick, 6-1, 230, sr.; Bradan Bailey, Hamilton, 6-2, 260, sr.; Lenin Aguilar, Mason, 6-7, 285, sr.; Danny Fortson Jr., Cincinnati Princeton, 6-4, 275, sr.; Jace Montgomery, Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller, 6-3, 250, so. Kicker — Jack Mallabar, Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller, 5-11, 215, jr. Linemen — Ray Brown, Normandy, 6-0, 203, sr.; Deon Solomon Jr., Cleveland Heights, 6-2, 232, sr.; Logan Mitchell, Mentor, 6-0, 225, sr.; Kenny Hamilton, Mentor, 6-3, 260, jr.; Reese Myers, Massillon Jackson, 6-0, 215, jr.; Cliff Nicholson, Medina, 6-3, 235, sr.; Brady Seeley, Centerville, 6-2, 250, sr.; Preston Allen, Springfield, 6-2, 275, sr.; Mason Holbrook, Hamilton, 6-4, 275, sr.; Terrence Jones, Cincinnati Princeton, 6-2, 220, jr. Linebackers — Jamiyus Gaines, Lorain, 5-9, 225, sr.; George Majernic, Strongsville, 5-10, 185, jr.; Nick Rivera, St. Ignatius, 6-1, 215, sr.; Sirius Jones, Cleveland Heights, 5-10, 174, jr.; Brennan Kesler, Lewis Center Olentangy Orange, 6-2, 215, jr.; C.J. Bryant, Middletown, 5-9, 210, sr.; Conner Cuozzo, Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller, 6-1, 215, sr.; Alex Dugan, Cincinnati Elder, 6-4, 200, sr.; Max Rhodes, Cincinnati Oak Hills, 6-2, 220, sr. Backs — Devron Mills, Cleveland Heights, 5-11, 162, jr.; Luke Mulder, Powell Olentangy Liberty, 5-9, 165, sr.; Jake Braun, Upper Arlington, 6-0, 185 sr.; Micah Fisher, Hilliard Bradley, 6-1, 185, so.; Aidan Gorman, Troy, 5-11, 160, sr.; Marino Middleton, Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller, 6-1, 188, jr.; David Svoboda, Beavercreek, 6-0, 171, sr. Punters — J.T. Hummer, Cleveland St. Ignatius, 5-10, 175, so.; Landon Walkem, St. Edward, 6-2, 310, jr.; Henry Greenberg, Springboro, 5-11, 175, sr.