Four Whitmer seniors were selected to the first team of the Associated Press Division I All-Ohio football team, including defensive end Chris Wormley, who was named as co-defensive player of the year.
Also repeating as a first-teamer on offense was running back Jody Webb, who carried 223 times for 1,539 yards and scored 30 touchdowns in 14 games for second-ranked Whitmer.
The Panthers (13-1) lost 17-6 to 10-time state champion Cleveland St. Ignatius in the state semifinals. It was Whitmer’s second straight advancement to the semifinals.
Joining the 6-7, 270-pound Wormley, who has committed to play at Michgian, and Webb on the first team were Whitmer’s 6-8, 300-pound offensive tackle Storm Norton, who has committed to Toledo, and defensive back Mark Meyers, who was a second-team selection last season.
Other area players named to the Division I first team were Southview senior defensive back Allen Gant, who has committed to Michigan, and two St. John’s Jesuit seniors — linebacker Kent Kern and punter Brandon Smith.
Kern, who is committed to Miami (Ohio), and Smith, were each second-team last year, Kern at linebacker and Smith at placekicker.
Findlay’s Mark Ritzler, who guided the Trojans to a surprising 9-1 regular season after they were picked in the preseason to place sixth in the Three Rivers Athletic Conference, shared Division I coach of the year honors with John Magistro of Westerville Central.
Division I second-team honors went to Southview senior offensive lineman Kyle Stout, and to two Findlay players – junior quarterback Paul Cosiano and senior receiver Dylan Blunk.
Named to the D-I third team were Whitmer senior receiver Alonzo Lucas, Southview senior linebacker Jay Fisher, Start senior linebacker Brian Lee, Anthony Wayne senior defensive back Matt Granger, and Findlay juniors Vance Settlemire (running back) and Devin Dennard (linebacker).
Schneider, Carter, Perrin first team in Division II
Maumee senior quarterback Jake Schneider, who averaged more than 2,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards the last two season, was named to the first team in Division II.
Also named to the first team were Perrysburg senior defensive lineman Micah Carter and Central Catholic junior defensive lineman Jon Perrin.
Maumee senior Evan Karchner was named to the second team at linebacker after earning first team last season.
Central Catholic junior defensive back Jayme Thompson was picked to the second team.
Contact Steve Junga at: sjunga@theblade.com 419-724-6461, or on Twitter @JungaBlade.
First Published November 29, 2011, 5:30 a.m.
