MASSILLON ― A pair of All-Ohioans are representing Licking County in the Ohio Football Coaches Association’s North-South All-Star Games on April 25.
Newark quarterback Bodie Smith and Granville kicker/punter Bode Shoaps will both play for the South squad in the Division I-III game at 11 a.m. in Massillon’s Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.
The Division IV-VII game will follow 30 minutes after the opener.
Smith will be one of two quarterbacks for the South, the other being Caleb Moyer of Wapakoneta, who led his team to a 10-0 record and the Division III playoffs. His father, Travis Moyer, is head coach of the South.
Smith set five Newark passing records in his final two seasons, finishing with over 4,000 passing yards and 49 touchdowns, including 2,156 yards and 27 scores as a senior. He helped lead the Wildcats to back-to-back Division I playoff appearances.
He also is a centerfielder on Newark’s 11-1 baseball team and played basketball for the Wildcats’ Division I regional finalist. Smith will continue his career at NCAA Division II Wheeling University.
Shoaps, a two-time All-Ohio kicker, kicked 40 PATs and five goals, including a game-winner against Sheridan in a Division III regional quarterfinal. He also averaged over 45 yards per punt, and 53 of his 61 kicks were touchbacks.
As a junior, he tied the school record with a 49-yard field goal.
Shoaps is also leaving his mark on the track, running on last year’s Division I All-Ohio 4×400 relay and setting the school record in the 100 (:10.5).
After being heavily recruited, he will continue his career at the University of Louisville.
One of the South’s assistants will be his former Granville coach Wes Schroeder, who led Olentangy Orange to the 2025 Division I state championship.
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Newark’s Smith, Granville’s Shoaps in North-South game this weekend
Reporting by Staff report / Newark Advocate
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
