Ohio HS Football '18: small school running backs

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Ohio HS Football '18: Small School Running Backs (Div. V-VII)

Key names to know Fridays this fall.

Player, School, Ht, Wt, Graduating Class

* Ethan Wright, Manchester (Akron), 6-0, 170 (2020)
Named first team OPSWA Division V All-Ohio and the Northeast Inland District offensive player of the year last year after setting school records for points (272), rushing yards (2,468) and touchdowns (40) in a season. Caught 28 passes for 366 yards (seven TDs), had 3,062 all-purpose yards and scored 16 2-point conversions. Defensively registered 122 tackles as a defensive back. Was also the PAC-7 player of the year.

* Cameron Svarda, Madison Senior (Middletown), 5-8, 180 (2019)
Reigning Southwestern Buckeye League Buckeye Offensive Player of the Year and second team OPSWA D-V All-Ohio selection helped the Mohakws reach the state semifinals in the program’s first trip to the postseason. Carried the ball 231 times for 1,940 yards and 26 touchdowns. Had four interceptions on defense at linebacker.

* Bryce Barasch, Johnstown-Monroe, 5-8, 160 (2019)
Second team OPSWA D-V All-Ohio selection rushed for 2,188 yards and 25 touchdowns on 297 carries for the Johnnies who finished regional runner-up to state champion Wheelersburg.

* Braden Bellville, Waterford, 6-0, 190 (2019)
First team OPSWA Division VII All-Ohio selection and reigning Southeast District offensive player of the year. Ran for 1,853 yards and had 31 total touchdowns.

* Brandon Coleman, Columbia (Columbia Station), 6-2, 185 (2019)
Third team OPSWA D-VI All-Ohio selection ran for 938 yards and 13 touchdowns on 139 carries in five games last year. Ran for 1,751 yards and 25 touchdowns as a sophomore.

* Joey Torok, Kirtland, 5-10, 160 (2019)
Second team OPSWA D-VI All-Ohio selection had 172 carries, 1,463 yards and 15 touchdowns last year for state runner-up.

2017 Ohio HS Football Statewide Postseason Brackets

* Jake Neibecker, Kirtland, 5-11, 190 (2019)
Second team OPSWA D-VI All-Ohio selection had 211 carries, 1,545 yards and 20 touchdowns last year for state runner-up.

* Austin Jones, Calvert (Tiffin), 6-2, 185 (2019)
First team OPSWA D-VII All-Ohio selection and reigning Sandusky Bay Conference River Division player of the year. Ran for a school record 1,894 yards and 28 touchdowns.

* Vincent Villella, Miami East (Casstown), 5-8, 166 (2019)
Reigning Cross County Conference Back of the Year carried the ball 218 times for 1,306 yards and 21 touchdowns last season. Doubles as a punishing linebacker where he was named third team OPSWA D-V All-Ohio (123 tackles).   

* Keegan Wilburn, Nelsonville-York, 5-10, 170 (2020)
Third team OPSWA D-VI All-Ohio selection had huge season last year for team that reached state semifinals. Carried the ball 166 times for 1,254 yards and caught 40 passes for 749 yards.  Scored 25 total touchdowns.

* Connor Banco, Shadyside, 6-2, 210 (2019)
Second team OPSWA D-VI All-Ohio selection shared East District offensive player of the year honors. Carried the ball 119 times for 982 yards and 21 touchdowns in regular season. Also had four touchdown receptions. Defensively registered 67 tackles and six sacks as a linebacker.

* Nathanael Suntheimer, East Canton, 6-0, 175 (2020)
Third team OPSWA D-VII All-Ohio selection ran for 1,620 yards and 23 touchdowns on 194 carries in the regular season last year. Also had three return touchdowns and caught two touchdown passes. Doubles as standout sprinter for defending D-III state champion track team.

2017 Ohio HS Football Statewide Statistics

* Garrett Hurd, Portsmouth West (West Portsmouth), 5-7, 155 (2019)
Second team OPSWA D-V All-Ohio after rushing for 1,169 yards and 11 touchdowns on 196 carries in the regular season.

* Seth Fosson, Ironton, 6-1, 225 (2020)
Third team OPSWA D-V All-Ohio selection doubles as standout linebacker.

* Austin Browning, Chesapeake, 6-0, 175 (2019)
Third team OPSWA D-V All-Ohio selection carried the ball 166 times for 1,517 yards and 17 touchdowns last year.

* Isaac Pettway, Wickliffe, 5-10, 175 (2019)
Third team OPSWA D-V All-Ohio selection ran for 1,247 yards and 18 touchdowns last year.

* Brandon Kelly, Elgin (Marion), 5-8, 155 (2019)
Rushed for 1,518 yards on 156 carries with 19 TDs and seven two-point conversions en route to earning third team OPSWA D-VI All-Ohio honors.

* Leighton Banjoff, Elyria Catholic, 6-0, 180 (2019)
Nebraska baseball commit carried the ball 149 times for 703 yards and 10 touchdowns last season en route to earning third team OPSWA D-V All-Ohio honors.

2017 Ohio HS Football Pictures

* Phillip Maiorca, Windham, 5-6, 140 (2019)
Second team OPSWA D-V All-Ohio selection last season. Ran for 1,524 yards and scored 24 total touchdowns. Also had 59 tackles on defense.

* Hunter Prince, Edgerton, 6-0, 180 (2020)
Third team OPSWA D-VII All-Ohio selection ran for school record 1,718 yards and scored 26 touchdowns. Led the Green Meadows Conference in rushing.

* Max Hooper, Trimble (Glouster), 5-11, 175 (2019)
Third team OPSWA D-VII All-Ohio selection carried the ball 123 times for 820 yards and 11 touchdowns in the regular season. Also caught 24 passes for 296 yards and three touchdowns.

* Mason Goers, Cardington-Lincoln, 5-10, 185 (2020)
Third team OPSWA D-VII All-Ohio selection ran for 1,422 yards and 17 touchdowns on 152 carries last year.