LaSalle Football: players of the decade

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LaSalle High School running back Cameron Porter highlights

Watch the Northwestern freshman in action during last year's Division II state championship.

Ohio's undisputed top Division II football team of the last decade is La Salle (Cincinnati). No doubt. The Lancers owned three playoff berths and zero state titles prior to 2010 and have since been to the postseason six times and captured four state championships. Adding to the impressive stretch is the fact that those four titles have come under the leadership of three different coaches. Nate Moore led LaSalle to its first title in 2014, while Jim Hilvert guided the Lancers to crowns in 2015 and 2016. Last year, Pat McLaughlin was head coach as the Lancers beat Moore's Washington (Massillon) squad in the state final for the program's fourth title in six years.

Over the last 10 years, LaSalle owns a 90-33 overall record and is 22-2 in the postseason.

Overwhelming talent and a gluttony of big-time athletes has fueled LaSalle's legendary decade. Below we take a look at the top players over that run.

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Jeremy Larkin, Running Back

Photo By Wayne Litmer

LASALLE FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE DECADE: 2010-2019

Player, Position, Graduating Year

1. Jeremy Larkin, RB (2016)
Integral part of the Lancers rise to glory. Was the 2015 Ohio Mr. Football Runner-Up, 2015 and 2014 GCL South Athlete of the Year and a three-time GCL South Division first team selection. LaSalle won state titles in 2014 and 2015. Generated 8,326 all-purpose yards, 5,349 rushing yards and 95 touchdowns during his three-year varsity career. Went to Northwestern where he was forced to retire as a sophomore due to a diagnosis of cervical stenosis.

2. Jarell White, RB/LB/DB (2017)
Three-time first team GCL selection (at three different positions) helped the Lancers win three state titles (2014-2016). Impacted both sides of the ball. Finished career with 2,357 yards rushing, 38 touchdowns and 179 tackles. Senior at Cincinnati has played in 39 career games and has 170 career tackles and 17 tackles-for-loss.

3. Nick Watson, QB (2016)
Three-time All-GCL selection led the Lancers to state titles in 2014 and 2015. Threw for 5,381 yards, ran for 1,086 and accounted for 71 touchdowns over his career. Has thrown for 65 touchdowns at Tiffin University, where he is a redshirt senior.

Zac Branam, Quarterback and Cam Porter, Running Back

Photo by Jeff Harwell

4. Cam Porter, RB (2020)
Four-year letterwinner, three-time GCL first team selection and two-time captain was a part of two state titles (2016 and 2019) during a career that produced 2,285 yards rushing and 34 touchdowns. Was the 2019 GCL South Athlete of the Year. Freshman at Northwestern.

Jordan Thompson, Defensive Line

Photo by Michael Noyes

5. Jordan Thompson, DL (2015)
The Division II Ohio Defensive Player of the Year in 2014 when he helped the Lancers win their first state title. Two-time first team GCL selection had 100 tackles as a junior and senior. Went to Northwestern where he played in 51 games and started 35 straight.

6. Derek Kief, WR (2014)
Three-time All-GCL selection ranked either first or second in the league in receiving yards as a sophomore, junior and senior. Set school records for career receptions (155), receiving yards (2,105) and receiving touchdowns (23). Played at Alabama.

7. Tre'Sean Smith, DB (2017)
Two-time All-GCL selection was part of three state titles (2014-2016). Had 95 tackles and 10 interceptions as a junior and senior. Also ran for 15 touchdowns as a senior. Recently transferred to Illinois from Louisville.

Luke Doerger, Offensive Line

Photo by Michael Noyes

8. Luke Doerger, OL (2016)
Three-time first team GCL selection was part of two state title teams (2014 and 2015). Redshirt senior at Toledo.

9. Thayer Munford, OL (2017)
First team GCL as a sophomore and junior on state title teams (2014 and 2015). Transferred to Massillon Washington as a senior. A senior at Ohio State where he’s played in 38 career games. Has started 26 the last two years.

Jaylen Johnson, Defensive back

Photo by Tim Ashcraft

10. Jaylen Johnson, DB (2021)
Two-time All-GCL selection enters senior season with 89 career tackles and ranked the 10th overall prospect in Ohio by 247sports. Has committed to Ohio State. Looking to help Lancers start next decade with title defense.

Honorable Mention
Garrett Bledsoe, LB (2019)
Ben Blevins, DL (2020)
Zach Branam, QB (2021)

Joe Burger, LB (2012)

Drew Chrisman, P (2016)

Rodriguez Coleman, WR (2011)
Kevin Ferguson, WR (2015)

Brody Ingle, LB (2019)

Drew Kummer, QB (2011)

Griffin Merritt, QB (2018)

Jaymar Mundy, DB (2021)

Jake Seibert, K (2020)

Christian Turner, RB (2017)

Josh Whyle, TE (2018)