High school football: Avon's Jakorion Caffey wins the Golden Helmet award as player

AVON — The Golden Helmet award is usually announced at a team's football banquet, so when an Avon player wins Lorain County's most prestigious trophy it's not much of a surprise as the Eagles hold their banquets later than anyone. But the school decided to use Wednesday's signing day as the backdrop for this year's ceremony and senior running back Jakorion Caffey was named the 65th Golden Helmet winner. "I was definitely surprised," Caffey said. "Just having everyone encouraging me and everyone is excited for me … it just fits because I care about my teammates and all that. But I'm just glad to be here with everyone celebrating with me and just honored to have this accomplishment." Caffey has 139 rushes for 1,186 yards — 8.5 yards per carry — and 18 touchdowns in 12 games this season. He also has 14 receptions for 155 yards — 11.1 yards per catch — and a touchdown. He leads the team in big plays, with 20 runs of 15-plus yards and three catches of 20-plus yards, and has not lost a fumble this season. Caffey even has a tackle, interception and quarterback hurry on defense despite seeing limited action on that side of the ball. "He's the most humble and kind individual you'll ever meet," Eagles coach Mike Elder said. "He's a great football player. He cares about his family. You know nothing in JC's life has been easy or handed to him. He's kind of earned everything he's got and we couldn't be more excited for him for the rest of this year as you guys get to see truly who JC is through the playoffs and as well into his career at Cincinnati, where he's gonna be taken care of in a way that is going to allow him to flourish." Caffey is the fifth Golden Helmet winner for Avon, joining Niko Pappas (2020), Matt Eckhardt (2011), Ryan O'Rourke (2008) and Zack Mitchell (1996). That ties the school with the Lorain Steelmen and North Ridgeville for fourth on the all-time list. Avon Lake, Elyria and Elyria Catholic lead all county programs with seven Golden Helmet winners apiece. The announcement also continues a flourish of top awards for Avon's football players this week. On Monday, senior free safety Carson Canning was named the Northeast Lakes district's Defensive Player of the Year, and senior right tackle Luke Hamilton was named the district's Offensive Player of the Year. It was also recently announced that junior quarterback Nolan Good was named the Southwestern Conference MVP. "It's very special, just having a lot of players around you that can do great things," Caffey said. "Seeing all that hard work paying off for us … and it's definitely just an honor having all those teammates that can carry a load and make the team great like we do. So, overall the team is great, the atmosphere is always great and we care for each other." Caffey won the award in a season filled will stellar performances by senior players in the county. Columbia's Marco Cirigliano — who was given Special Mention by the Golden Helmet committee — broke the county's all-time scoring and rushing records, while Lorain's John Salaman led the county with nearly 2,000 rushing yards. Salaman, Clearview's Ayden Cruz and Brookside's Ben Montgomery were given Honorable Mention by the committee. "It's great just knowing that you're going against great players that compete just like you do every day," Caffey said. "Knowing that you're doing well and you're a step ahead of them … but I give props to those guys, because they're very good, too. So it's just great to know that you're going against great competitors and you're coming out on top." Caffey and the Eagles will continue to go up against some of Ohio's best as they continue their march through the postseason. Elder said Caffey has been instrumental in getting Avon to the regional semifinals this weekend. "He plays when we need him to play," the coach said. "He was nursing an ankle (injury in the playoff opener) and at 7-0 we put him in the game because we thought our season was on the line. JC went in and turned a 2-yard loss into a touchdown to give us breathing room and win the first round. "Second-round game he gets 10 carries for 177 yards and four touchdowns. Stats like that could happen all the time with this kid, but he never ever complains about that. He understands we're trying to win a state championship and do something special and right now he's healthy … he looks really good. And if we're going to get this thing done, it's going to be because of him." Contact Shaun Bennett at (440) 329-7137 or sbennett@chroniclet.com. Like him on Facebook and follow him @ShaunBennettct on X. Golden Helmet winners 2023 — Jakorion Caffey, Avon running back 2022 — Levi Ellis, Elyria Catholic running back/linebacker 2021 — Gideon Lampron, Keystone running back/linebacker 2020 — Niko Pappas, Avon quarterback 2019 — Jacob Shackelford, Keystone quarterback 2018 — Brandon Coleman, Columbia running back 2017 — Justin Sturgill, Lorain quarterback 2016 — Dustin Crum, Midview quarterback 2015 — Logan Bolin, Midview wide receiver 2014 — C.J. Conrad, Keystone tight end 2013 — Jay Banyasz, Columbia quarterback 2012 — Tracy Sprinkle, Elyria defensive end 2011 — Matt Eckhardt, Avon wide receiver 2010 — Danny Reaser, Elyria Catholic quarterback 2009 — Anthony Hitchens, Clearview running back 2008 — Ryan O'Rourke, Avon quarterback 2007 — Mike Haddad, Avon Lake running back 2006 — John McGraw, North Ridgeville running back 2005 — P.J. Mahone, Elyria running back 2004 — Trey Stross, Avon Lake wide receiver 2003 — Jon Schroeder, Avon Lake running back 2002 — Dustin Intihar, Columbia running back 2001 — Brian Cesear, Amherst running back 2000 — Jeff Strauch, Avon Lake running back 1999 — Dan Rozanski, Midview running back 1998 — Matt Wilhelm, Elyria Catholic linebacker 1997 — Ryan Myers, Wellington running back and Erik Rogers, Vermilion 1996 — Zack Mitchell, Avon 1995 — Ricky Schneider, Amherst 1994 — Jerel Klue, North Ridgeville 1993 — Tim Schumacher, Avon Lake 1992 — Ty Grude, Firelands and LaRon Trice, Elyria West 1991 — Ron Leshinski, Vermilion 1990 — Erik Engel, North Ridgeville 1989 — Tony Godbolt, Elyria High 1988 — Steve Tovar, Elyria West linebacker 1987 — Tyrone Nelson, Elyria West tailback and Dennis Washington, Lorain tailback 1986 — David Lyons, Clearview, fullback 1985 — Jeff Seasor, North Ridgeville, linebacker 1984 — Al McKinney, Elyria Catholic, tailback 1983 — Brian Schneider, Elyria Catholic fullback and Bob Calamari, Admiral King quarterback 1982 — John Berner, Avon Lake tailback 1981 — Vince Villanucci, Lorain lineman 1980 — Jeff Mey, Vermilion halfback 1979 — Jon Burger, Elyria linebacker and kicker 1978 — Craig Best, North Ridgeville tailback 1977 — Bryan Thomas, Elyria Catholic tailback 1976 — Greg Jones, Elyria West tailback 1975 — Virgil Williams, Lorain halfback 1974 — Steve Holovacs, Firelands tailback and Tim Burns, Wellington tailback 1973 — Bruce Yeager, Elyria Catholic fullback-middle guard 1972 — Bob Hyatt, Keystone halfback and Gus Mecera, Clearview, two-way tackle 1971 — Ike Maxwell, Elyria tailback 1970 — Kurt Schumacher, Lorain, fullback-tackle 1969 — John Husband, Elyria fullback 1968 — Jim Svoboda, Lorain end-linebacker 1967 — Dick Wakefield, Avon Lake end 1966 — Ralph Holloway, Oberlin fullback-middle guard 1965 — Randy Stevenson, Elyria linebacker