High school football: Elyria's Jesse Stevens named to Division I all-Ohio team

Jesse Stevens remembers the day vividly. The senior football standout spotted defensive lineman Simeon Lawrence among the pictures that lined the athletic hallway at Elyria High. "I remember walking into the school during my freshman year for orientation and seeing my dude that I train with up there," Stevens said. "And I was thinking, 'I'm going to be up there some day.'" That day was Thursday as Stevens, a ferocious pass-rushing defensive end, was named to the Division I All-Ohio first team by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association. "(Those) pictures on the wall are mainly of the kids that made first team All-Ohio in whatever sport," Pioneers football coach Devlin Culliver said. "So now he's a first team All-Ohio football player, so he gets his picture on the wall of fame inside the high school forever. So he's really excited about it and I'm happy for him. He did everything he was supposed to do this year to earn a first team All-Ohio award, so he deserves it in my opinion." Stevens, standing at 6-foot-2 and 235 pounds, finished with 54 tackles, 16 sacks, 24 tackles for loss, three fumble recoveries and an interception as Elyria went 3-7 during its final season in the Greater Cleveland Conference. The Pioneers will join the Southwestern Conference next season. "I wanted to get this award my whole life, and now actually getting it … it means a lot," said Stevens. "When I got district player of the year, I was hoping to get All-Ohio. I was just honored to get all-district, but now that I've got All-Ohio, I'm honored to get that, too." Stevens is the third straight Elyria defensive lineman to earn All-Ohio first-team honors and the first since Cam King in 2016. Lawrence earned the honor in 2015, and the other two defensive linemen to make it to the top over the past 20 years are Tracy Sprinkle (2012) and Chase Farris (2010), who both went on to star at Ohio State and play for NFL teams. "I (think about the legacy of the position) all the time and how I can follow in their footsteps and make it one day," Stevens said. Stevens was joined by three teammates on the All-Ohio teams. Senior running back Jaheim Atkinson and senior defensive back Perryion Benton were named to the second team, while senior offensive lineman Simon France landed on the third team. "From a recognition standpoint for those four young men, it's a great thing that's happened for them," Culliver said. "Anytime you get recognized from a whole state of football players, to me that's a really big deal. I was fortunate enough to be an all-state player, so I know how they feel. It's a great honor to be recognized by your peers, coaches around the state and by the media." It's the first time four Pioneers have earned All-Ohio distinction since 2015 and the first time at least four Elyria players have landed on All-Ohio teams since 2011 when the Pioneers had five players on the second and third teams. Stevens became the 10th Elyria player to land on the All-Ohio first team since the turn of the century. "I'm just happy for them," Culliver said. "I'm happy for the school and the community because I've been told it hasn't happened it a while. It also validates the coaching staff. We must know a little bit about football to have four guys on the all-state team, so it makes us feel good as well." Atkinson rushed for 1,088 yards and 10 touchdowns despite missing three games this season, France graded out at 90 percent or better for blocking every game and Benton finished with 35 tackles, seven interceptions, 11 pass breakups and a pair of sacks. Stevens was happy to have the trio with him on the All-Ohio list. "It's something we can take into life, too, knowing that we stepped up as a team and we'll have that brotherhood and it will always be there," he said. Stevens has narrowed down his college choices and is talking with several schools, but said he's still actively looking for the best fit and considers his recruitment "100 percent open." "Jesse's one of the best athletes I've ever coached, especially at his size," Culliver said. "Being 230-some pounds, he moves like a little guy, which is a great upside for him at the next level. Right now he's being slated as an outside linebacker or standup defensive end in college so he's going to excel because he's a good athlete. He has a fast first step and he's coachable." Contact Shaun Bennett at 329-7137 or sbennett@chroniclet.com. Like him on Facebook and follow him @ShaunBennettct on Twitter. 2020 Division I All-Ohio Football Teams Offensive Players of the Year: Liam Clifford, St. Xavier, sr. and Lorenzo Styles Jr., Pickerington Central, sr.Defensive Player of the Year: Gabe Powers, Marysville, jr.Coaches of the Year: Bryan Johnson, Westerville North First Team OffenseQB: Judah Holtzclaw, Westerville Central, 6-6, 220, sr.; Ian Kipp, Mentor, 6-2, 215, sr.; Brogan McCaughey, Cincinnati St. Xavier, 6-1, 185, jr.; Te'Sean Smoot, Springfield, 6-0, 184, jr.RB: Bryon Threats, Dublin Coffman, 5-10, 195, sr.; Connor Walendzak, Perrysburg, 5-11, 195, so.; Keyshawn Stephens, Hamilton, 6-0, 200, sr.WR: Lorenzo Styles Jr., Pickerington Central, 6-1, 190, sr.: Jack Arnold, Berea-Midpark, 6-0, 175, Jr.; Markus Allen, Clayton Northmont, 6-3, 210, sr.; Liam Clifford, Cincinnati St. Xavier, 6-2, 190, sr.; Luke Hensley, Medina 6-2, 200, sr.TE: Josh Kattus, Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller, 6-4, 245, jr.OL: Keaton Snyder, Pickerington Central, 6-2, 275, sr.; Braedon Elwer, New Albany, 6-4, 250, sr.; Blake Miller, Strongsville, 6-6, 315, Jr.; Cade Zimmerly, Perrysburg, 6-1, 260, sr.; Tegra Tshabola, West Chester Lakota West, 6-6, 300, jr.; Aamil Wagner, Huber Heights Wayne, 6-7, 260, jr.; Mason Mennell, Stow-Munroe Falls, 6-4, 300, jr.K: Casey Magyar, Dublin Coffman, 6-0, 175, sr. First Team DefenseDL: Hammond Russell, Dublin Coffman, 6-4, 240, sr.; Jesse Stevens, Elyria, 6-2, 235, Sr.; Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati Colerain, 6-2, 325, sr.; Giovanni Albanese, Cincinnati St. Xavier, 6-0, 280, Sr.; Mani Powell, Canton McKinley, 6-2, 225, jr.LB: Gabe Powers, Marysville, 6-4, 215, jr.; Zeke Healy, Westerville Central, 5-10, 200, sr.; Aidan Hubbard, Cleveland St. Ignatius, 6-4, 225, Sr.; C.J. Hankins, Lakewood St. Edward, 5-11, 220, Sr.; Matthew Devine, Cincinnati St. Xavier, 6-0, 220, sr.; Jackson Kuwatch, West Chester Lakota West, 6-4, 220, sr.; Nathan Spatny, Medina, 6-1, 225, sr.DB: Michael Gravely Jr., Euclid, 6-1, 197, Sr.; Cam Smith, Euclid, 6-2, 180, Sr.; Alex Afari, West Chester Lakota West, 6-3, 200, jr.; Jyaire Brown, West Chester Lakota West, 6-0, 175, jr.; Delian Bradley, Springfield, 6-0, 185, jr.; Rod Moore, Clayton Northmont, 6-0, 185, sr.; Johnny Kulich, Massillon Jackson, 6-3, 180, sr.P: Matthew Dapore, Springboro, 5-11, 180, sr. Second Team OffenseQB: AJ Mirgon, Hilliard Bradley, 6-0, 180, 185, sr.; Cade Rice, Clayton Northmont, 6-3, 215, sr.; Drew Allar, Medina, 6-5, 220, jr.RB: Aidan Kenley, Olentangy Liberty, 5-11, 185, sr.; Ron Blackman, Gahanna, 6-0, 190, sr,; Jaheim Atkinson, Elyria, 5-10, 200, Sr.; Jaydan Mayes, Fairfield, 5-11, 175, sr.WR: Caden Konczak, Olentangy Orange, 5-9, 165, sr.; Armond Scott, Euclid, 6-2, 200, Sr.; Drew Ramsey, Cincinnati Elder, 6-1, 200, jr.OL: Carter Smith, Olentangy Liberty, 6-6, 250, jr.; Dalton Hall, Reynoldsburg, 6-5, 290, sr.; Gavin Rohrs, Marysville, 6-3, 285, jr.; Hunter Colao, Mentor, 6-0, 275, Sr.; Thomas Aden, Lakewood St. Edward, 6-2, 285, Sr.; Landon Fickell, Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller, 6-5, 270, sr.; Brian Parker, Cincinnati St. Xavier, 6-5, 275, jr.; Mao Glynn, Cincinnati Walnut Hills, 6-3, 285, sr.K: Andrew Smith, Mentor, 6-5, 200, Sr. Second Team DefenseDL: Greg Predina, Mentor, 6-4, 245, Sr.; Bennett Adler, Cleveland St. Ignatius, 6-3, 240, Sr.; Aneesh Vyas, West Chester Lakota West, 6-2, 270, sr.; Luke Montgomery, Findlay, 6-5, 265, so.LB: Devon Williams, Dublin Coffman, 6-1, 218, sr.; Evan Boyd, Mentor, 5-11, 205, Sr.; Jack Higgins, Perrysburg, 6-2, 220, sr.; Cameron Junior, Middletown, 6-1, 210, sr.DB: Delaney Wilburn, Groveport, 6-0, 185, jr.; Perryion Benton, Elyria, senior, 5-9, 155; Jaylen Castleberry, Lakewood St. Edward, 6-0, 180, Sr.; Leroy Bowers, Cincinnati Princeton, 6-2, 200, sr.; Jonah Lytle, Canton McKinley, 5-11, 175, sr.P: Josh Laisure, Olentangy Orange, 5-11, 165, sr. Third Team OffenseQB: Blake Horvath, Hilliard Darby, 6-2, 190, jr.; Mekhi Lynn, Cincinnati Princeton, 6-2, 180, jr. RB: Ryan Kern, Marysville, 5-11, 185, sr.; Nick Mosley, Pickerington Central, 5-11, 205, sr.; Khalil Eichelberger, Solon, 5-10, 205, sr.WR: Hutch Baird, Mentor, 6-1, 190, Sr.; Titan Case, Springboro, 6-0, 185, sr.; Anthony Brown, Springfield, 5-10, 165, so.; Dalen Stovall, Stow-Munroe Falls, 6-4, 195, sr.OL: Will Jados, Westerville Central, 6-7, 285, sr.; Simon France, Elyria, 6-2, 256, Sr.; Gus Salopek, Cleveland St. Ignatius, 6-5, 235, Sr.; Paul Rodriguez, Mason, 6-5, 305, sr.; Van Shyjka, Stow-Munroe Falls, 6-4, 290, jr.; Stefan Monahan, Canton McKinley, 6-8, 295, jr.K: Matt Howard, West Chester Lakota West, 5-11, 175, sr. Third Team DefenseDL: Michael Ballenger, Upper Arlington, 6-0, 210, sr.; Javon Edwards, Cleveland Heights, 6-0, 235, Sr.; Eli Newburg, Clayton Northmont, 6-2, 220, sr.; Brandon Smith, Fairfield, 6-1, 265, sr.LB: Brennan Albertini, Westerville North, 6-0, 210, sr.; Ryan Merrill, Euclid, 5-11, 215, So.; Jon Bruder, Centerville, 5-10, 215, sr.; Aden Miller, West Chester Lakota West, 5-11, 210, jr.DB: Atiba Fitz, Euclid, 5-9, 180, Sr.; Jahdae Walker, Shaker Heights, 6-5, 190, Sr.; Elisha Baxter, Findlay, 6-0, 160, sr.; Gabe Dubois, Cincinnati St. Xavier, 5-9, 170, sr.P: Justin Slattery, Lakewood St. Edward, 5-11, 180, sr. Honorable MentionQB: Dijon Jennings, Reynoldsburg, 6-0, 188, jr.; Christian Gulgin, Perrysburg, 6-1, 190, sr.; Elijah Wesley, Canton McKinley, 6-3, 195, sr.RB: Carson Gresock, Upper Arlington, 5-10, 210, jr.; Isaac James, Findlay, 6-1, 168, jr.; Brenden Craig, Massillon Jackson, 5-11, 145, jr.WR: Ben Ireland, Findlay, 6-0, 174, jr.; Aidan Pratt, Perrysburg, 5-11, 185, sr.; Kaleb Wannamaker Toledo Start, 5-11, 150, sr.OL: Daniel Warnsman, Dublin Coffman, 6-3, 285, sr.; Evan Winans, Findlay, 6-0, 225, sr.; Bryce Keller, Toledo Whitmer, 6-3, 275, jr.; Xavier Wolf, Perrysburg, 6-3, 270, sr.; Darius Latimore, Toledo Start, 6-0, 250, sr.; Tomas Rimac, Brunswick, 6-6, 290, sr.; Otto Weight, Medina, 6-3, 285, sr.K: Jax Hudson, Perrysburg, 5-9, 150, sr.DL: C.J. Doggette, Pickerington Central, 6-2, 280, jr.; Zindale Graf, Lancaster, 5-11, 220, sr.; Elijah Hawk, Pickerington North, 6-4, 239, sr.; Reuben Simiyu, Westerville North, 6-2, 240, sr.; Ryan Musgrove, Perrysburg, 6-0, 215, sr.; Owen Francis, Perrysburg, 6-0, 215, sr.; Marcus Ensley, Toledo Start, 5-11, 250, jr.; Kris Artis, Centerville, 6-3, 230, sr.; Dorian Boyland, Medina, 6-2, 225, sr.LB: Reece Dykstra, Thomas Worthington, 6-2, 230, sr.; Connor Jones, Hilliard Darby, 6-2, 230, jr.; Marco Landolfi, Upper Arlington, 5-11, 175, sr.; Brian Yamokoski, Olentangy Liberty, 6-0, 190, sr.; Jayden Gibson, Toledo Whitmer, 6-0, 200, jr.; Zane Zaborowski, Perrysburg, 6-0, 215, sr.; Philip Quansah, Clayton Northmont, 5-10, 222, sr.; Andrew Haber, Brunswick, 5-10, 210, sr.; Quintyn McKinley, Brunswick, 5-9, 195, sr.; Brett Blauner, Massillon Jackson, 6-1, 185, sr.; Matt Hamula, Medina, 5-10, 185, jr.DB: Vince Francescone, Westerville Central, 6-0, 175, sr.; Brock Kidwell, New Albany, 6-0, 185, jr.; Alex "Sonny" Styles, Pickerington Central, 6-4, 205, so.; Cameron Darrington, Perrysburg, 6-1, 185, sr.; Kanyon Gagich, Perrysburg, 6-0, 195, jr.; Zach Rhynes, Toledo Start, 5-10, 190, sr.; David Hamrick, Brunswick, 5-9, 160, jr.; Nehemiah Stovall, Canton McKinley, 6-1, 175, sr.; Clayton Mosher, Stow-Munroe Falls, 6-0, 195, sr.P: Max Roth, Findlay, 6-0, 160, jr.; Jacob Dye, Brunswick, 6-0, 180, sr.