CPD
INTRODUCING THE 2006 MR. FOOTBALL CONTENDERS
Mabin standing on the Summit
Nordonia back could make it three Mr. Football Awards in a row for county
Wednesday, November 22, 2006Story by Tim Rogers
Plain Dealer Reporter
Can Summit County make it three in a row?
Nordonia High School tailback Jordan Mabin has played his way into the role of one of the favorites to win the 2006 Mr. Foot ball Award, presented to the best high school player in the state by the Associated Press following a vote by a statewide media panel.
Summit County has produced the last two winners in Copley's Delone Carter, now a freshman at Syracuse, and Archbishop Hoban's Tyrell Sutton, now a sophomore at Northwestern. Carter ran for 2,440 yards and scored 43 touchdowns during his winning season and Sutton, Ohio's all-time leading rusher with 9,426 yards, had 3,241 yards and 38 touchdowns the year he won.
The winner will be announced Nov. 29. A look at eight candidates from across Ohio:
EUGENE CLIFFORD
Position: Safety
School: Cincinnati Colerain
Year: Senior
Height/weight: 6-2, 190
Why he's a contender: He is the best player on one of the state's best defenses. A ferocious hitter, he has a 33-inch vertical leap and has run 40 yards in 4.45 seconds. Also a valuable kick and punt returner, he has carried the ball and caught some passes. But, it's on defense where he made his mark with 39 solo tackles and four interceptions. He has scholarship offers from Ohio State and Michigan.
MARCUS HENDREN
Position: Tailback
School: Johnstown-Monroe
Year: Senior
Height/weight: 5-11, 185
Why he's a contender: He had an incredible season for a team that made the playoffs for the second time in 35 years and was beaten in the second round. He rushed for 2,900 yards and 36 touchdowns on a whopping 347 carries. Must overcome the stigma of playing for a Division V school, which is difficult, but not impossible. Remember 1999 winner Bam Childress from Chanel.
JORDAN MABIN
Position: Tailback/ cor nerback
School: Nor donia
Year: Senior
Height/ weight: 5-11, 185
Why he's a contender: Fluid and agile, he got off to a great start at several camps during the summer and carried it over to Week 14. The Northwestern recruit has rushed for 2,295 yards and 28 touchdowns on 273 carries this season to become the sixth-leading rusher in Ohio history with 6,632 yards. He stands in ninth place on the all-time list with 92 touchdowns.
BEN MARTIN
Position: Defensive end/ line backer
School: Cincinnati LaSalle
Year: Senior
Height/weight: 6-5, 235
Why he's a con tender: He made 73 tackles and had 4.5 sacks playing in the rugged Greater Cincinnati Catholic League against teams such as Moeller, Elder and St. Xavier. Even at his size, he was a member of the school's 4x100-meter relay team. He has narrowed his college choices to OSU, Notre Dame, Michigan and Florida.
BRANDON SAINE
Position: Tailback
School: Piqua
Year: Senior
Height/weight: 6-1, 219
Why he's a contender: He's probably the leading candidate after rushing for 1,895 yards and 27 touchdowns on 259 carries and gaining another 412 yards on 30 pass receptions. Was inter ested in Michigan, but made an early com mitment to OSU. Piqua is in the state semifi nals for the sixth time.
DANE SANZENBACHER
Position: Wide receiver/ cor nerback
School: Toledo Central Catholic
Year: Senior
Height/weight: 6-0, 180
Why he's a contender: An outstanding athlete, he finished the season with 61 receptions for 1,079 yards and 11 touchdowns. A big-game player, he had 40 receptions for 842 yards and nine touchdowns, 40 solo tackles and eight intercep tions in seven career playoff games. He's another OSU recruit.
KASEY WENDAL
Position: Quarterback
School: Galloway Westland
Year: Senior
Height/weight: 6-0, 210
Why he's a contender: He's being heavily recruited by Air Force after leading Westland to its first playoff appearance. Was really a one-man show. In 11 games, he completed 117 of 211 passes for 1,533 yards and 17 touchdowns and ran 279 times for 1,950 yards and 23 touchdowns. The Cougars were 1-9 in 2005.
MORGAN WILLIAMS
Position: Tailback
School: Canton McKinley
Year: Senior
Height/weight: 5-11, 190
Why he's a contender: He needs 103 yards to become the all-time leading rusher in Stark County, erasing the mark of 5,162 yards set by Alliance back E.J. Lilly (1996-99). He has run for 2,330 yards and scored 30 rushing touchdowns on 285 carries this season. Has the Bulldogs (12-1) in the Division I state semifinals.
INTRODUCING THE 2006 MR. FOOTBALL CONTENDERS
Mabin standing on the Summit
Nordonia back could make it three Mr. Football Awards in a row for county
Wednesday, November 22, 2006Story by Tim Rogers
Plain Dealer Reporter
Can Summit County make it three in a row?
Nordonia High School tailback Jordan Mabin has played his way into the role of one of the favorites to win the 2006 Mr. Foot ball Award, presented to the best high school player in the state by the Associated Press following a vote by a statewide media panel.
Summit County has produced the last two winners in Copley's Delone Carter, now a freshman at Syracuse, and Archbishop Hoban's Tyrell Sutton, now a sophomore at Northwestern. Carter ran for 2,440 yards and scored 43 touchdowns during his winning season and Sutton, Ohio's all-time leading rusher with 9,426 yards, had 3,241 yards and 38 touchdowns the year he won.
The winner will be announced Nov. 29. A look at eight candidates from across Ohio:
EUGENE CLIFFORD
Position: Safety
School: Cincinnati Colerain
Year: Senior
Height/weight: 6-2, 190
Why he's a contender: He is the best player on one of the state's best defenses. A ferocious hitter, he has a 33-inch vertical leap and has run 40 yards in 4.45 seconds. Also a valuable kick and punt returner, he has carried the ball and caught some passes. But, it's on defense where he made his mark with 39 solo tackles and four interceptions. He has scholarship offers from Ohio State and Michigan.
MARCUS HENDREN
Position: Tailback
School: Johnstown-Monroe
Year: Senior
Height/weight: 5-11, 185
Why he's a contender: He had an incredible season for a team that made the playoffs for the second time in 35 years and was beaten in the second round. He rushed for 2,900 yards and 36 touchdowns on a whopping 347 carries. Must overcome the stigma of playing for a Division V school, which is difficult, but not impossible. Remember 1999 winner Bam Childress from Chanel.
JORDAN MABIN
Position: Tailback/ cor nerback
School: Nor donia
Year: Senior
Height/ weight: 5-11, 185
Why he's a contender: Fluid and agile, he got off to a great start at several camps during the summer and carried it over to Week 14. The Northwestern recruit has rushed for 2,295 yards and 28 touchdowns on 273 carries this season to become the sixth-leading rusher in Ohio history with 6,632 yards. He stands in ninth place on the all-time list with 92 touchdowns.
BEN MARTIN
Position: Defensive end/ line backer
School: Cincinnati LaSalle
Year: Senior
Height/weight: 6-5, 235
Why he's a con tender: He made 73 tackles and had 4.5 sacks playing in the rugged Greater Cincinnati Catholic League against teams such as Moeller, Elder and St. Xavier. Even at his size, he was a member of the school's 4x100-meter relay team. He has narrowed his college choices to OSU, Notre Dame, Michigan and Florida.
BRANDON SAINE
Position: Tailback
School: Piqua
Year: Senior
Height/weight: 6-1, 219
Why he's a contender: He's probably the leading candidate after rushing for 1,895 yards and 27 touchdowns on 259 carries and gaining another 412 yards on 30 pass receptions. Was inter ested in Michigan, but made an early com mitment to OSU. Piqua is in the state semifi nals for the sixth time.
DANE SANZENBACHER
Position: Wide receiver/ cor nerback
School: Toledo Central Catholic
Year: Senior
Height/weight: 6-0, 180
Why he's a contender: An outstanding athlete, he finished the season with 61 receptions for 1,079 yards and 11 touchdowns. A big-game player, he had 40 receptions for 842 yards and nine touchdowns, 40 solo tackles and eight intercep tions in seven career playoff games. He's another OSU recruit.
KASEY WENDAL
Position: Quarterback
School: Galloway Westland
Year: Senior
Height/weight: 6-0, 210
Why he's a contender: He's being heavily recruited by Air Force after leading Westland to its first playoff appearance. Was really a one-man show. In 11 games, he completed 117 of 211 passes for 1,533 yards and 17 touchdowns and ran 279 times for 1,950 yards and 23 touchdowns. The Cougars were 1-9 in 2005.
MORGAN WILLIAMS
Position: Tailback
School: Canton McKinley
Year: Senior
Height/weight: 5-11, 190
Why he's a contender: He needs 103 yards to become the all-time leading rusher in Stark County, erasing the mark of 5,162 yards set by Alliance back E.J. Lilly (1996-99). He has run for 2,330 yards and scored 30 rushing touchdowns on 285 carries this season. Has the Bulldogs (12-1) in the Division I state semifinals.
