COLUMBUS — Payne DeGray has been a constant on the Colonel Crawford defensive line since sophomore year.
And his impressive play was deservingly rewarded as the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association named him Division VI Defensive Player of the Year in Ohio. DeGray exits the program as the career record holder in tackles for loss (235), forced fumbles (9), sacks (28) along with single-season sacks (14.5) — all are also top marks in the Northern 10 — and he’s second all-time in single-season tackles for loss (35.5).
Joining him as a first team All-Ohioan was classmate and running back Connor McMichael who holds the career rushing yards (4,568) and touchdowns (61) record at the program and in the Northern 10 along with career points (476), and his 8.96 yards per carry career average dropped him from top spot through junior year to second behind Eagle alum Will Kirkpatrick (9.0 yards per carry), though McMichael logged 160 more carries. This season he rushed for 1,911 yards and 30 touchdowns along with hauling in 15 receptions for 342 yards and two scores.
Junior wideout Parker Weithman was the third and final first team honoree for the Eagles. He caught 71 passes for 1,402 yards and 13 touchdowns helping Colonel Crawford win its first regional championship in program history before falling to eventual state champion Kirtland in the state semifinal. He shattered the program and league’s single-season receptions and yards marks, and edged former teammate Trevor Vogt for top spot in touchdowns by one. His career numbers through three seasons are 104 receptions for 1,913 yards and 16 touchdowns — all are program bests and have him on pace for more N10 records by the time he graduates.
Senior Dom Dean was third team All-Ohio as an offensive lineman boasting a 93% block rate while classmate Joseph Zizzo was honorable mention as a kicker converting 68-of-71 extra points and 2-of-3 field goals with a long of 38 yards. Juniors Roen Thew and John DeGray were also honorable mentions; Thew as a running back (57 carries, 539 yards, 9 TD; 19 receptions, 228 yards, 1 TD) because athlete is not yet a position and DeGray at tight end (27 receptions, 494 yards, 4 TD).
Below are the Division VI All-Ohio football teams as selected by the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association.
Division VI OPSMA All-Ohio Football 2025
Division VI Ohio Offensive Players of the Year: Jake LaVerde, Kirtland; Austin Buescher, West Jefferson; William Zeedyk, Sherwood Fairview; Braxton Leeth, Convoy Crestview
Division VI Ohio Defensive Player of the Year: Payne DeGray, North Robinson Colonel Crawford
Division VI Ohio Coach of the Year: Gary Quisno, Castalia Margaretta
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
QB: Jake LaVerde, Kirtland, 6-2, 210, sr.; Austin Buescher, West Jefferson, 6-4, 175, sr.; Blaine Ball, Centerburg, 5-9, 160, sr.; Jake Noling, Columbiana Crestview, 6-2, 185, sr.; Trey Sagester, New Madison Tri-Village, 6-3, 170, sr.; William Zeedyk, Sherwood Fairview, 5-10, 160, sr.
RB: John Silvestro, Kirtland, 5-11, 190, sr.; Miles Marshall, Centerburg, 6-2, 170, jr.; Mason Haines, Smithville, 5-8, 195, sr.; Gavin Leake, Caldwell, 5-10, 175, sr.; Braxton Leeth, Convoy Crestview, 6-0, 185, sr.; Connor McMichael, North Robinson Colonel Crawford, 6-0, 210, sr.; Landon Rich, Elmore Woodmore, 6-0, 196, sr.
WR/TE: Griff Richards, New Madison Tri-Village, 6-0, 175, jr.;Zebadiah Pleiman, Anna, 5-10, 160, sr.; Logan Olinger, Sherwood Fairview, 6-0, 170, jr.; Karter Goon, Ashland Crestview, 6-3, 200, sr.; Parker Weithman, North Robinson Colonel Crawford, 5-11, 165, jr.; Jordan Manz, Paulding, 6-2, 168, jr.
OL: Lucci Cantini, Kirtland, 5-11, 225, jr.; Luke Walters, West Jefferson, 6-3, 240, so.; Daniel Medinger, Ironton Rock Hill, 6-5, 298, sr.; Dom Black, New Madison Tri-Village, 6-4, 280, jr.; Mason Shank, Bluffton, 6-2, 241, jr.; Miguel Martinez, Paulding, 5-9, 193, sr.; Will Taylor, Collins Western Reserve, 6-2, 215, sr.; Mason Holmer, Attica Seneca East, 6-6, 255, sr.; Joe Ewald, Bascom Hopewell-Loudon, 6-3, 220, jr.
K: Marco Valentic, Kirtland, 5-10, 150, so.
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
DL: Chase Gron, Kirtland, 5-10, 190, sr.; Ty Bledsoe, Kirtland, 5-11, 190, sr.; Cody Meimer, Mount Gilead, 6-3, 280, sr.; Cooper Bauer, Grandview Heights, 6-2, 225, sr.; Mason Shepherd, Meigs Eastern, 6-4, 230, sr; Colson Keller, Sugarcreek Garaway, 6-3, 250, sr.; Nolan Wilt, Anna, 6-1, 230, sr.; James Hall, St. Bernard St. Bernard-Elmwood Place, 6-4, 200, sr.; Grant Smith, Hamler Patrick Henry, 6-2, 200, sr.; Payne DeGray, North Robinson Colonel Crawford, 6-5, 255, sr.
LB: Zander Perko, Kirtland, 5-10, 185, jr.; Zane Bungard, Sullivan Black River, 6-3, 190, sr.; Conner Mori, Dalton, 5-10, 205, sr.; Noah Finkbine, New Madison Tri-Village, 6-1, 190, sr.; Landon Hewitt, Anna, 6-0, 180, sr.; Derek Dues, Coldwater, 5-9, 180, jr.; Mason Reinhart, Bascom Hopewell-Loudon, 5-10, 175, sr.; Jackson Gayheart, Attica Seneca East, 5-11, 215, jr.
DB: JayAnthony Williams, Orwell Grand Valley, 5-10, 170, sr.; Mario Ionno, Grandview Heights, 5-10, 170, sr.; Tyce Beardsley, Beverly Fort Frye, 6-2, 200, sr.; Judah Keller, Castalia Margaretta, 6-0, 185, sr.; Brody Brickman, Bascom Hopewell-Loudon, 5-11, 165, jr.; Nolan Mescher, Coldwater, 5-6, 135, sr.
P: Dom Bell, Sullivan Black River, 5-11, 170, fr.
SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
QB: Zach Shafer, Cuyahoga Heights, 6-3, 224, jr.; Conley Bogard, Mechanicsburg, 6-2, 215, sr.; Frankie Hirsch, Chillicothe Huntington, 6-1, 165, jr.; Lucas Cannady, St. Bernard St. Bernard-Elmwood Place, 6-1, 210, jr.; Tayte Giesige, Bluffton, 6-2, 183, jr.; Colt Hunt, Paulding, 6-1, 182, sr.
RB: Wyatt Denney, Cardington-Lincoln, 5-10, 200, sr.; Carson Barnum, Mount Gilead, 6-1, 215, sr.; Damien Reuting, Rootstown, 5-10, 175, sr.; Anthony Bishop, Portsmouth West, 5-8, 196, jr.; Dom Singer, Newcomerstown, 5-6, 155, sr.; Landyn Wiegel, Collins Western Reserve, 5-9, 195, jr.
WR/TE: Khyell Moreland, Richmond Heights, 5-10, 170, sr.; Ryan Caimi, Kirtland, 5-10, 165, sr.; Austin Haynes, Mechanicsburg, 5-11, 145, sr.; Jackson Beatty, West Jefferson, 6-1, 185, sr.; Isaiah Lee, Smithville, 5-11, 165, so.; Jack Colatruglio, Bascom Hopewell-Loudon, 6-1, 175, sr.
OL: A.J. Lamb, Columbia Station Columbia, 6-2, 295, jr.; Jack Turk, Kirtland, 6-2, 300, jr.; Aiden Flynn, Cuyahoga Heights, 6-0, 275, sr.; Zach Freeburg, Kirtland, 6-3, 230, sr.; Garrett Lowry, Marion Elgin, 6-2, 220, sr.; Christopher Kinsey, Cardington-Lincoln, 6-0, 195, sr.; Braden Wright, Rootstown, 6-4, 285, sr.; Matt Marcum, Meigs Eastern, 6-3, 307, sr.; Montgomery Cline, Ashland Crestview, 6-0, 240, jr.
K: Blake Mullaly, Rootstown, 6-2, 180, jr.
SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
DL: Cole Schuckert, Cuyahoga Heights, 6-2, 243, so.; Davion Martin, Wickliffe, 5-11, 210, jr.; Drew Brown, Marion Elgin, 6-1, 230, jr.; Heath Thomas, Toronto, 6-4, 270, sr.; Sefa Sackey, Cincinnati Deer Park, 6-7, 200, sr.; Carter Bame, Carey, 5-10, 200, sr.; Aiden Ewald, Bascom Hopewell-Loudon, 6-1, 255, sr.; Hunter Rathburn, Attica Seneca East, 6-2, 205, sr.
LB: Cameron Treadwell, Kirtland, 6-0, 215, sr.; M’Kyan Haynes, Hanoverton United, 5-9, 215, jr.; Mikey Proctor, Columbiana Crestview, 5-9, 179, sr.; Bryce Tolliver, West Lafayette Ridgewood, 6-1, 190, jr.; Hans Erickson, Cincinnati Miami Valley Christian Academy, 5-10, 178, jr.; Dash Puckett, Carey, 6-0, 220, sr.; Jalen Manz, Paulding, 6-3, 185, jr.
DB: Sebastian Becker, Kirtland, 5-8, 165, jr.; Jeremiah DesJardins, Cincinnati Miami Valley Christian Academy, 5-9, 155, jr.; Reid Creager, Hamler Patrick Henry, 6-3, 185, jr.; Max Durbin, Ashland Crestview, 6-2, 185, sr.; Tripp Phoenix, Carey, 5-11, 160, so.
P: Keith Abshire, Ashland Crestview, 6-0, 180, sr.
THIRD TEAM OFFENSE
QB: Jaxon Lester, Howard East Knox, 6-2, 190, sr.; Carter Hignight, Dalton, 6-2, 170, jr.; Deion Miller, Youngstown Valley Christian, 6-3, 175, sr.; Cooper Howell, Monroe Central, 6-1, 185, jr.; Logan Ziegenbusch, Anna, 5-11, 160, so.; Nicholas Parks, Attica Seneca East, 5-10, 160, sr.; Jacoby Ellis, Bascom Hopewell-Loudon, 6-2, 185, jr.
RB: Xavier Hendon, Columbia Station Columbia, 5-10, 175, so.; Elijah Fitch, Wickliffe, 5-8, 170, fr.; Gavin Chamberlin, Cuyahoga Heights, 5-9, 156, sr.; Walkquem Cox, Martins Ferry, 5-11, 205, so.; Ayden Basham, Blanchester, 5-10, 190, sr.
WR/TE: Andy Ridgeway, Kirtland, 6-1, 190, sr.; Josiah Harmeyer, Grove City Christian, 6-1, 170, sr.; Connor Stockdale, Galion Northmor, 5-10, 155, sr.; Jackson Ballinger, Centerburg, 6-5, 230, jr.; Brady Fair, Toronto, 5-8, 155, sr.; Cadin Obringer, Coldwater, 6-2, 185, sr.; Caleb Schroer, Coldwater, 6-1, 280, sr.
OL: Gauge Shipman, Mount Gilead, 6-0, 240, sr.; Michael Hatfield, Grove City Christian, 6-4, 250, sr.; Danny Main, Grandview Heights, 5-8, 195, sr.; Chase Moore, Mineral Ridge, 6-4, 280, sr.; Gage Hasler, Leavittsburg LaBrae, 5-11, 270, sr.; Chase Tomassetti, Smithville, 5-11, 185, sr.; Blake Wheeler, Beverly Fort Frye, 5-9, 185, sr.; Isaiah Stallworth, St. Bernard St. Bernard-Elmwood Place, 5-11, 350, sr.; Dom Dean, North Robinson Colonel Crawford, 6-2, 220, sr.
K: Jake Bouy, Castalia Margaretta, 6-0, 170, sr.
THIRD TEAM DEFENSE
DL: Evan Mercile, New Middletown Springfield, 5-6, 177, sr.; Jackson Oswald, Dalton, 6-0, 190, jr.; Julian Stearns, Anna, 6-6, 190, jr.; Blake Welch, Collins Western Reserve, 6-0, 205, sr.; Wyatt Cline, Archbold, 6-5, 240, so.; Scott Turco, Bascom Hopewell-Loudon, 5-10, 240, sr.
LB: Ambrose Beach, Columbia Station Columbia, 6-0, 170, jr.; Jose Rivera, Columbia Station Columbia, 5-9, 170, sr.; Denver Caudill, Mechanicsburg, 6-2, 180, sr.; Cooper Meacham, Baltimore Liberty Union, 6-0, 190, sr.; Henry Ohlinger, Grandview Heights, 6-1, 215, sr.; Zach Lanneaux, Smithville, 6-0, 175, soph.; Owen Hunt, Caldwell, 5-10, 175, sr.
DB: Nathan Tommer, Cuyahoga Heights, 5-11, 155 so.; Frankie Bucar, Wickliffe, 5-10, 160, sr.; Aiden Pelfrey, Dalton, 5-10, sr.; Korde Williams, Cincinnati Summit Country Day, 5-11, 155, fr.; Blake Rhonehouse, Paulding, 6-2, 168, sr.; Wesley Kayser, Elmore Woodmore, 6-2, 190, sr.
P: Jett Kaiser, Woodsfield Monroe Central, 5-9, 190, fr.
HONORABLE MENTION
QB: Brody Hall, Portsmouth West, 6-1, 193, sr.; Michael Henry, Toronto, 6-1, 205, sr.; Jace McQueen, West Lafayette Ridgewood, 5-11, 170, sr.; Grady Miller, Sugarcreek Garaway, 5-11, 175, so.; Brody Schmidt, Dayton Christian, 5-10, 165, jr.; Diezel Taylor, South Vienna Northeastern, 6-2, 201, sr.; Liam Kuhn, Ashland Crestview, 6-5, 185, sr.; Landon Hohler, Huron, 6-1, 185, sr.
RB: Max Harris, Baltimore Liberty Union, 5-9, 180, sr.; Carson Shope, Milford Center Fairbanks, 5-8, 155, jr.; Rico Smith, Brookfield, 5-7, 180, jr.; Easton Armstrong, Leavittsburg LaBrae, 6-0, 185, sr.; Ethan Edwards, Meigs Eastern, 5-9, 175, sr.; Isaac Taylor, Chillicothe Huntington, 6-0, 235, sr.; Brady Murrell, Ironton Rock Hill, 6-0, 185, sr.; Matthew Frey, Sugarcreek Garaway, 5-10, 200, jr.; Gavin Rauch, Beverly Fort Frye, 5-7, 140, jr.; Dameko Taylor, St. Bernard St. Bernard-Elmwood Place, 5-11, 175, jr.; Staley Colston, New Madison Tri-Village, 5-10, 175, so.; Ryder Ryan, Archbold, 5-11, 175, jr.; Roen Thew, North Robinson Colonel Crawford, 6-1, 175, jr.
WR/TE: Kutis Van Divner, Cuyahoga Heights, 6-0, 171, jr.; Connor Eyink, Mechanicsburg, 6-0, 175, sr.; Braden Adkins, Portsmouth West, 5-7, 160, jr.; Malakai Ensor, Belpre, 6-3, 205, jr.; Max Demchak, Monroe Central, 5-7, 135, jr.; Micah Yoder, Sugarcreek Garaway, 5-11, 165, sr.; Talon Carns, West Lafayette Ridgewood, 5-8, 165, sr.; Brody Chandler, Caldwell, 5-9, 170, sr.; Morgan Brown, Cincinnati Deer Park, 5-7, 165, so.; Jacoby Newman, South Vienna Northeastern, 6-1,181, sr.; Caden Shepherd, Miamisburg Dayton Christian, 6-3, 185, sr.; Cooper Reynolds, Blanchester, 6-0, 140, jr.; Caleb Stanley, Huron, 6-0, 180, sr.; Brexton Fraelich, Collins Western Reserve, 6-1, 170, sr.; Morgan Harris, Archbold, 6-3, 170, jr.; John DeGray, North Robinson Colonel Crawford, 6-3, 185, jr.
OL: Blake Taylor, Orwell Grand Valley, 6-0, 240, sr.; Tyler Wood, Hanoverton United, 6-0, 240, sr.; Brayden Clancy, Columbiana, 5-11, 226, sr.; Shane Bacon, Columbiana Crestview, 6-1, 266, jr.; Brady Miller, Sugarcreek Garaway, 6-3, 255, sr.; Malachi Giles, Martins Ferry, 6-2, 285, jr.; Chase Heckathorn, Toronto, 6-2, 190, sr.; Charles Gessel, Caldwell, 6-0, 235, jr.; Dayne Miller, Beverly Fort Frye, 6-0, 185, sr.; Kaleb Nettles, West Lafayette Ridgewood, 5-9, 200 sr.; Lucas Lester, Covington, 5-10, 190, jr.; Blake Longstreth, Cincinnati Miami Valley Christian Academy, 6-1, 246, jr.; Luke Vernon, New Paris National Trail, 6-2, 190, sr.; Corey Waters, Cincinnati Deer Park, 6-1, 260, sr.; Garrett Boes, Carey, 6-0, 265, sr.; Anthony Renollet, Sherwood Fairview, 6-0, 220, sr.; Adrian Delgado, Hamler Patrick Henry, 6-1, 285, sr.
K: Hadyn Slomovitz, Grove City Christian, 5-9, 155, jr.; Hayden Wilcoxen, Meigs Eastern, 5-10, 158, sr.; Jadon Smoulder, West Lafayette Ridgewood, 6-0, 135, jr.; Brody Cottrell, Crooksville, 5-10, 190, so.; Joseph Zizzo, North Robinson Colonel Crawford, 5-9, 150, sr.; Landric Vandermade, Sherwood Fairview, 6-5, 225, sr.; Bryce Couchot, Coldwater, 6-0, 155, sr.
DL: Jeremiah Corll, Orwell Grand Valley, 5-10, 205, so.; Levi Lucas, Hanoverton United, 6-4, 240, jr.; Eric Reibold, Leavittsburg LaBrae, 6-1, 215, sr.; Carson McNeal, Chillicothe Huntington, 6-3, 215, jr.; Philip Thacker, Chesapeake, 6-4, 200, sr.; Jace Thompson, Crooksville, 6-4, 260, sr.; Ashton Lumbatis, Woodsfield Monroe Central, 6-3, 280, jr.; Guiler Preston, Caldwell, 6-2, 220, sr.; Travis French, Collins Western Reserve, 6-0, 255, sr.; Dillon King, Sugarcreek Garaway, 6-2, 215, sr.; Deshawn Hicks, St. Bernard St. Bernard-Elmwood Place, 6-4, 255, sr.; Trenton Havenar, Covington, 6-0, 225, jr.; Hunter Johnsman, New Madison Tri-Village, 6-3, 210 sr.; Gavin Meade, Sherwood Fairview, 6-1, 175, jr.; Adam Fizer, Toledo Ottawa Hills, 6-1, 220, jr.
LB: Nick Oboczky, Wickliffe, 5-11, 205, jr.; Garrett Deisch, Galion Northmor, 5-11, 195, sr.; Dylan Finefrock, Sugar Grove Berne Union, 5-9, 180, sr.; Danny Mangiarelli, Columbiana, 5-10, 187, jr.; Dom Jones, New Middletown Springfield, 6-0, 218, jr.; Aaron Workman, Ironton Rock Hill, 6-1, 205, jr.; Yaden Bailey, Ironton Rock Hill, 6-0, 225, jr.; Tilton Rapp, Portsmouth West, 5-10, 192, jr.; Josh Harvey, Newcomerstown, 5-7, 195, sr.; Tytan Waller, Beverly Fort Frye, 6-2, 195, jr.; Jett Kaiser, Woodsfield Monroe Central, 5-9, 190, fr.; RJ Welshans, Martins Ferry, 5-10, 175, jr.; Thomas Grimm, Sugarcreek Garaway, 5-11, 200, sr.; Jonah Moracco, Caldwell, 5-9, 175, sr.; Cole VanFossen, Sarahsville Shenandoah, 5-7, 138, sr.; Cody Houseman, South Vienna Northeastern, 6-0, 184, sr.; Jackson Jones, South Vienna Northeastern, 5-10, 166, sr.; Cory Kidd, Blanchester, 5-10, 205, so.; Landen Moore, New Madison Tri-Village, 6-2, 210, sr.; Sam Reder, Cincinnati Summit Country Day, 6-0, 215, sr.; Akevian Kryder, Hamler Patrick Henry, 5-9, 190, sr.; Brett Miller, Castalia Margaretta, 6-0, 196, sr.; Jackson Bowlus, Bluffton, 5-11, 181, sr.; Josh Lieb, Defiance Tinora, 6-2, 200, jr.
DB: TJ Britton, Marion Elgin, 5-9, 180, jr.; Ashton O’Rourke, Sugar Grove Berne Union, 5-10, 150, sr.; Caidyn McElhaney, Columbiana Crestview, 6-0, 171, sr.; Elijah Roby, Martins Ferry, 6-2, 170, so; Wyatt Reifenschneider, Sugarcreek Garaway, 5-11, 170, jr.; Grady Hesson, Beverly Fort Frye, 5-10, 160, jr.; Colt Joynson, Toronto, 6-1, 155, jr.; Filip McMaken, Covington, 5-10, 155, jr., Colt Camacho, New Madison Tri-Village, 6-1, 180, so.; Aranjer Krieger, Archbold, 5-11, 170, jr.
This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Colonel Crawford’s Payne DeGray named D6 Defensive Player of the Year
Reporting by Zachary Holden, Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum / Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
