2021 HSDT All-Area Football Team announced
Collopy, Saccoccia, Arlia and Hoover take top spots on annual list
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Each year for the past five seasons, the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times have compiled a list of the best of the best from the area's 11 teams for the past football season.
Even though things were a bit different this season, the tradition continues.
Joining me on this year's voting panel were sports correspondents Ed Looman and Aaron Petchal.
A player, while they may have excelled in more than one position or on both sides of the ball, was nominated in their best position only.
Let's get started.
COACHES OF THE YEAR
There were two nominees considered for HSDT Coach of the Year, and each had a good case. So, good, in fact, that it was determined both would get recognition, as two of the three votes split the honor between them.
MIKE COLLOPY, Edison -- The first-year Wildcats head football coach translated his years of success as a baseball head coach and football assistant into his first season at the helm, guiding Edison to a 7-3 regular season, while the team did not lose back-to-back games all season and qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2002. For his efforts, Collopy was recognized as the Eastern District Coach of the Year in Division V.
RENO SACCOCCIA, Steubenville -- The Hall of Fame Big Red head coach guided the Crimson and Black to another successful season, finishing the regular season 8-2 and 9-3 overall after advancing to the second round of the Division III playoffs. He guided his Big Red through a lot of adversity, including some key injuries, to do so. This recognition for Saccoccia, who was Eastern District Co-Coach of the Year in Division III, also has a flare of career accomplishment, as he reached the 400-win mark during the season, and then tied the record in Ohio with his 401st win when Big Red prevailed in the opening round of the playoffs. He can become the all-time winningest coach in state history as early as Week 1 next season.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
SANTINO ARLIA, Madonna -- The Blue Dons senior signal caller was a unanimous choice, receiving all three first place votes and nine of a possible nine points. He departs the school holding every passing record, single game, season and career. This season, he threw for 2,123 yards, completed 54.6 percent of his passes for 29 touchdowns and three interceptions. He added another touchdown on the ground for a total of 30 scores.
Edison junior quarterback Gage Cline finished second in the voting after throwing for 1,433 yards, rushing for 616 yards and scoring a combined 28 touchdowns. He received four points. Big Red's dynamic duo of Phaeton Hill (1,979 passing yards, 17 TDs) and Spencer Ostovich (1,128 rushing yards, 15 TDs) each received two points. Madonna receiver Evan Quering, who had 931 receiving yards and 13 scores, also received a vote.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Once again, the voting was razor thin. This time, it was nearly tied three ways with three different players receiving a first-place vote. The number of total points made the difference.
TREY HOOVER, Buckeye Local -- The Panthers junior could have been in the Player of the Year conversation on both sides of the ball, but, his staggering number of tackles was too much to ignore. The area's leading rusher a season ago (when he finished third in offensive player of the year voting and was an All-Ohioan as a sophomore), recorded 108 tackles from his linebacker position during the regular season, which was just eight games due to two COVID cancellations. That is an average of 13.5 tackles per game. Counting the Panthers playoff game, he had 122 total tackles, 68 solo, nine tackles for loss, four sacks and two forced fumbles. Also worth noting, while not factored into this voting, is he ran for 923 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging better than five yards per carry and better than 100 yards per game. He received one, first-place vote and a total of seven points.
That narrowly placed better than Big Red linebacker Tylik Sims (team-leading tackler, four sacks, one interception, seven tackles for loss) and Toronto senior defensive end Shane Keenan (44 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and a fumble return TD), who each finished with five votes and each received a nod for first place.
All three were deserving and had a good case. It was nearly split three ways.
YOUNG GUN AWARD
With the number of freshmen and sophomores playing key roles for area teams in 2021, a new category was created to recognize their contributions. The voting was again close, but two of three agreed on the winner.
BRAELYN SPERRINGER, Brooke -- The sophomore who was a first-year varsity quarterback after playing some receiver as a freshmen took two first-place votes and the top spot after compiling 717 passing yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions, 452 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in helping lead the Bruins to their first winning season since 2015.
Edison sophomore tailback Talan McClurg was the other youngster to receive a first-place vote after rushing for 884 yards and five scores. He received three total points. Toronto sophomore receiver/defensive back/kick returner Dominic Bouscher received four points after breaking up 21 passes, picking two and returning one for a touchdown, making 41 tackles and returning five kicks for a score.
Weir High sophomore quarterback Malachi Stromile, Catholic Central sophomore receiver Tyler Ialenti and Harrison Central freshman safety Cam McAfee were also among those considered.
HSDT 2021 ALL AREA TEAM
OFFENSE
QUARTERBACKS
First Team
Santino Arlia, Madonna* -- 2,133 yards, a 54.6 completion percentage, 29 touchdowns, three interceptions.
Gage Cline, Edison -- 1,433 passing yards, 16 touchdowns and 16 interceptions, 616 rushing yards, 12 touchdowns.
Second Team
Phaeton Hill, Big Red -- 1,979 yards, 17 touchdowns, eight interceptions, 52.4 completion percentage.
Aiden Mick, Toronto -- 1,067 yards, 56.5 completion percentage, six touchdowns, four interceptions, 102 rushing yards, rushing touchdown.
Honorable Mention
Hayden Cassidy, Harrison Central; Braelyn Sperringer, Brooke; Andrew Dorsey, Catholic Central.
RUNNING BACKS
First Team
Spencer Ostovich, Big Red* -- 1,128 yards, 6.84 yards per carry, 15 touchdowns.
Talan McClurg, Edison* -- 884 yards, 5.78 yards per carry, five touchdowns.
Nathan Bertolino, Harrison Central -- 865 yards, 5.41 yards per carry, eight touchdowns.
Second Team
Matt Greenlief, Oak Glen -- 723 yards, 8.82 yards per carry, seven touchdowns.
Jace Campinelli, Brooke -- 623 yards, 3.97 yards per carry, five touchdowns.
Zane Kinsey, Toronto -- 635 yards, 7.3 yards per carry, five touchdowns (only played five games).
Honorable Mention
Corey Lyons, Weir High; Dashon Seditz, Catholic Central; Jayden Irizary, Indian Creek.
WIDE RECEIVERS
First Team
Evan Quering, Madonna* -- 49 receptions, 931 yards, 19 yards per catch, 13 touchdowns.
Jacob Cusick, Edison* -- 46 receptions, 712 yards, 15.5 yards per catch, seven touchdowns.
Brenton Jones, Big Red* -- 29 receptions, 616 yards, 21.2 yards per catch, eight touchdowns.
Sam Coleman, Indian Creek -- 23 receptions, 336 yards, 14.6 yards per catch, four touchdowns.
Second Team
Tyler Ialenti, Catholic Central -- 24 receptions, 299 yards, 12.5 yards per catch, three touchdowns.
Carson Yobaggy, Weir High -- 16 receptions, 446 yards, 27.9 yards per catch, five touchdowns.
Jon Vermillion, Harrison Central -- 19 receptions, 161 yards, 8.5 yards per catch, three touchdowns.
Jonah McKay, Madonna -- 25 receptions, 226 yards, 9.1 yards per catch.
Honorable Mention
Isaac Hill, Big Red; Tommy Pergi, Catholic Central; Gavin Moore, Brooke; Johnny Leput, Buckeye Local.
OFFENSIVE LINE
First Team
J.J. Orlando, Indian Creek* -- 92 percent blocking grade, 4 pancakes.
Hunter Darrah, Buckeye Local -- three-year starter with Division I offers.
Cam Daley, Big Red* -- two-year starter.
Hunter Russell, Edison -- 93 percent blocking grade, 36 knockdowns.
Josh Fancher, Toronto -- 93 percent blocking grade, 32 pancakes, one sack allowed.
Second Team
Jacob Donley, Brooke -- 463 snaps, 373 total blocks, 81 percent success rate.
Nick Elias, Madonna -- four-year starter.
Jonah Snyder, Edison -- 91 percent blocking grade, 35 knockdowns.
Myles Rice, Weir High -- opened holes for rushing attack that averaged more than 120 yards per game.
Kyler George, Oak Glen -- Golden Bears top graded linemen.
Honorable Mention
Matthew Smith, Harrison Central; Isaac Firm, Edison; Nate Elias, Madonna; De'Shawn Gray, Oak Glen.
DEFENSE
DEFENSIVE LINE
First Team
Shane Keenan, Toronto* -- 44 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, fumble return touchdown, three passes broken up, committed to Youngstown State.
Daniel Rawson, Brooke* -- Four sacks in eight games played.
Kye Fleming, Big Red -- 21 tackles, seven tackles for loss, three sacks, two fumble recoveries.
Ashton Ellis, Toronto -- 88 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, two sacks.
Second Team
Justin Driscoll, Buckeye Local -- 48 tackles, 4.5 sacks.
Josh Blake, Oak Glen -- 62 tackles, 45 solo, one sack, four QB hurries.
Cam Jones, Weir High -- 22 tackles, seven assists, two sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery.
Joey Simpson, Edison -- 30 tackles, four sacks.
Honorable Mention
Tyler Wise, Brooke; Lucca Muzzi, Madonna.
LINEBACKERS
First Team
Trey Hoover, Buckeye Local* -- 122 tackles, 68 solo, four sacks, nine tackles for loss, two forced fumbles.
Tylik Sims, Big Red* -- leading tackler, four sacks, seven tackles for loss, one interception.
Jayce Nett, Toronto* -- 93 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, three interceptions.
Brandon Kinney, Big Red -- four sacks, three forced fumbles, one interception.
Brayden Racuch, Catholic Central -- leading tackler with 81 tackles.
Second Team
Cam Franke, Indian Creek -- 64 tackles, 30 solo, nine tackles for loss, three QB hurries, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery.
Dylan Conley, Oak Glen -- 72 tackles, 53 solo, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, one blocked punt.
Nate Frye, Harrison Central -- 60 tackles, three tackles for loss.
Chase McClurg, Edison -- 55 tackles, four sacks.
Mo Prentice, Weir High -- 58 tackles, 18 assists, three tackles for loss, one sack, three fumble recoveries.
Honorable Mention
Luke Secrist, Brooke; Luca Morelli, Indian Creek; Anthony Gross, Madonna; Gage Hawkins, Weir High; Ethan Lively, Oak Glen; Matt Parsons, Edison.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
First Team
Cam McAfee, Harrison Central* -- 66 tackles, six interceptions.
Dominic Bouscher, Toronto* -- 21 passes broken up, two interceptions, one interception return touchdown, 41 tackles, two tackles for loss.
Niko Suriano, Big Red* -- five interceptions, 17 tackles, seven passes broken up.
Ethan McHugh, Buckeye Local -- five interceptions, one interception return touchdown, five passes broken up, 50 tackles, one forced fumble.
Second Team
Aiden Flowers, Oak Glen -- 63 tackles, 50 solo, two tackles for loss, one interception, five passes broken up.
Isaac Robinson, Indian Creek -- 47 tackles, 32 solo, three tackles for loss, two passes broken up, two interceptions, one interception return touchdown.
Gus Gilbert, Brooke -- Missed time due to injury but had an interception.
Devan Colson, Weir High -- 20 tackles, five assists, three passes broken up, four interceptions.
Honorable Mention
Hunter Rhoades, Oak Glen; Parker Hutton, Harrison Central; Tre Rex, Harrison Central; Dominic Craft, Brooke; Dylan Palmer, Buckeye Local.
*Indicates unanimous choice for first team
Congratulations to everybody on a great season!
A special thanks to Ed and Aaron for their work all season and time put into deliberating their votes; Ed for keeping a log of the statistics for our area teams all season; our partners at the Intelligencer and Times Leader for their help in sharing stats, box scores and information all season; and all of the area coaches and stat keepers who helped us with stats all season and assisted in the efforts of compiling stats and nominees for this list.