High school football: Clearview's Isaiah Garcia first-team all-Ohio in Division IV; Vermilion's Bill DiFucci named co-coach of the year

Now that he's done piling up interceptions for Clearview, Isaiah Garcia can start collecting accolades. The senior defensive back was named a first-team All-Ohio selection in Division IV by the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association on Tuesday after leading the Clippers with six interceptions. The Clippers' defense allowed 9.7 points per game in the regular season with five teams scoring less than 10 points, including two shutouts. The unit combined for 11 interceptions and 24 total takeaways. "He's just one of those tough, hard-nosed football players," Clearview coach Mike Collier said. "He gives everything he has, has a huge heart and is a mentally tough kid. He was a great leader for us all year long. He did a lot of work in the offseason and was one of our biggest vocal leaders on and off the field. He pushed guys to do better, did a lot of work on film and was always in the right place. That's a big part of why he was able to get those six interceptions." Sixteen area players were named to the Division IV and V All-Ohio teams with Vermilion coach Bill DiFucci being named co-coach of the year in Division IV. Beyond leading the team in interceptions, Garcia contributed in a variety of ways for Clearview. He was second on the team with 96 total tackles, 64 solo, and tied for the team high in passes defended with 10. He also was the team's second-leading receiver with 31 catches for 480 yards and three touchdowns. Two others from Clearview landed on the third team — quarterback Cy Christensen and linebacker Josiah Longo. "Isaiah would be the first guy to give credit to his teammates," Collier said. "That front four on our defensive line a lot of times would cause havoc and obviously put the quarterback in some heated situations. Isaiah was able to capitalize on that, our linebackers, too. It was definitely a team effort, but Isaiah reaped the rewards of being a great football player and having great prep work both in the offseason and in season." DiFucci led Vermilion to its first winning season since 2008 and just its third winning season since it last qualified for the playoffs in 1997, not including 2020 when every team made it. Vermilion held a combined 30-122 record in the 15 years between winning seasons. It came close to breaking the streak in 2017 when it started 5-1, but lost its next four to finish at .500. The Sailors defeated River Valley 37-21 in the opening round of the Division IV, Region 14 tournament for the first postseason win in program history. They had lost their six previous playoff appearances. Vermilion lost 48-7 to eventual state runner-up Sandusky Perkins in the regional quarterfinals. Vermilion had four players earn spots on the Division IV squad. Quarterback Aaron Mathis was named to the second team as a punter, linebacker Cohen Mooney was a third-team selection and Chad Ellis (offensive lineman) and Beau Benesh (defensive lineman) were honorable mentions. "It's quite an honor," said DiFucci, a 1993 graduate of Vermilion who was a member of the 1992 playoff team. "This has been a long time coming. Everyone has been hungry and anticipating a season like we were able to have. It starts with a great coaching staff. I've got a great group of coaches that I'm fortunate to have who spend the amount of time they spend to make sure we're in the best position. And then the kids have completely bought into what we've asked them to do from Year 1. It really bolsters what we're trying to do here when you can get the recognition into the program, into the kids and show them what we do pays off with success and recognition." Even though Keystone didn't have any first-team selections, the Wildcats had five players make the Division V team. Linebacker Shane Ohl and offensive lineman Macin Padin were second-team selections while quarterback Zach Shackelford, running back Wyatt McKee and receiver Grady Whitacre were third. Wellington had three named to the Division V team. Linebacker Trey Moore and defensive back Alex Frenk were both second-team selections and receiver Johnnie Kinter was a third-team pick. Firelands offensive lineman Noah Angle earned a spot on the third team in Division IV. Contact Chris Sweeney at (440) 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com. Follow him @CSweeney1686 on X. Division IV Offensive Players of the Year: Bodpegn Miller, Ontario; Grady Kinsey, Gnadenhutten Indian Valley Defensive Players of the Year: Cincere Johnson, Glenville; Drayden Pavey, Cincinnati Taft Coaches of the Year: Desean Washington, Lutheran East; Bill DiFucci, Vermilion; Matt Lancaster, Gnadenhutten Indian Valley First Team Offense QB: Chase Ebert, Caledonia River Valley, 6-1, 195, sr.; Bodpegn Miller, Ontario, 6-4, 190, sr.; Brayden DeVito, Shelby, 5-11, 175, jr.; Jeremiah Thomas, Beloit West Branch, 5-10, 160, jr.; Cohen Klimak, Streetsboro, 5-9, 175, sr.; Walter Moses, Perry, 6-4, 190, sr. RB: Connor Corbett, Heath, 5-7, 180, sr.; Isaac Bunts, Sandusky Perkins, 5-9, 205, sr.; Grady Kinsey, Gnadenhutten Indian Valley, 5-9, 200, jr.; Devin Braham, Struthers, 5-11, 190, sr.; Devlan Daniel, Cincinnati Indian Hill, 6-1, 205, so.; Joel Hancock, Cincinnati Wyoming, 5-9, 180, sr. WR/TE: Braylon Collier, Sandusky Perkins, 6-1, 170, sr.; Kaige Boczar, Jefferson Area Jefferson, 5-9, 170, sr.; Aaron McFarland, Cleves Taylor, 6-0, 170, jr.; Bentley Hanson, New Lexington, 5-10, 165, sr.; Brady Bowman, Shelby, 5-9, 150, so. OL: David Striker, Gnadenhutten Indian Valley, 6-0, 260, sr.; Nathan Zappitelli, Lake Catholic, 6-4, 275, jr.; Marquis Whipple, Glenville, 6-3, 290, jr.; Isiah Switzer, Glenville, 6-5, 295, sr.; Dakin Johnson, Clarksville Clinton-Massie, 6-3, 255, jr.; Robert Hayes, Cincinnati Indian Hill, 6-5, 285, sr. K: Jon Hewitt, Eaton, 6-3, 178, jr.; Kaleb Wayt, Orrville, 6-0, 160, sr. First Team Defense DL: Haiden Bollini, Sandusky Perkins, 6-1, 222, sr.; Karsen Homan, Shelby, 6-4, 195, sr.; Brody Saunders, St. Clairsville, 6-3, 190, sr.; D'Shawn Kirby, East Liverpool, 6-4, 245, sr.; Arthur Scott III, Streetsboro, 6-2, 290, jr.; Jonnell George Jr., Glenville, 6-1, 235, sr.; Drayden Pavey, Cincinnati Taft, 6-3, 290, sr. LB: Conlan Dent, Columbus Ready, 6-2, 210, sr.; Bryce Perkins, Circleville Logan Elm, 5-10, 190, sr.; Mikey Young, Sandusky Perkins, 6-1, 195, sr.; Max Fogle, St. Clairsville, 6-1, 210, sr.; Cincere Johnson, Glenville, 6-3, 225, jr.; Jimmy Gibbons, Lake Catholic, 6-1, 205, sr.; Aaron Dowdell, Cincinnati Taft, 6-0, 220, sr.; Connor Watkins, Kettering Alter, 6-2, 185, sr. DB: Taliq Black, Columbus Marion-Franklin, 6-0, 175, sr.; Trey Rubinstein, Napoleon, 6-4, 195, sr.; Jackson Gula, Streetsboro, 6-2, 180, sr.; Isaiah Garcia, Clearview, 5-10, 145, sr.; Drew Cripps, Kettering Alter, 6-0, 160, so. P: Patrick Radigan, Lake Catholic, 5-11, 175, sr.; Carter Rummer, Cincinnati Wyoming, 6-2, 165, sr. Second Team Offense QB: Aaron Britford, Columbus East, 5-10, 165, sr.; Isaiah Stephens, New Lexington, 6-1, 185, sr.; Ryker Williams, Gnadenhutten Indian Valley, 6-0, 175, so.; Chase Badger, Canal Fulton Northwest, 5-10, 160, sr.; Frankie Trinetti, Lake Catholic, 6-3, 185, sr. RB: Anthony Campell, Columbus Bishop Ready, 6-0, 198, sr.; Dawayne Galloway, Columbus Marion-Franklin, 6-2, 180, sr.; Talon Preston, Duncan Falls Philo, 6-0, 180, sr.; Boston Mulinix, Beloit West Branch, 5-9, 200, sr.; Drexal McAmis, Mogadore Field, 6-3, 250, sr.; Russell Tye, Orange, 5-9, 190, jr; WR/TE: Logan Zollars, Millersburg West Holmes, 6-0, 185, sr.; Joey Jackson, Beloit West Branch, 5-10, 170, sr.; Cross Nimmo, Lake Catholic, 6-5, 230, sr.; Josiah Gault, Cincinnati Wyoming, 6-1, 185, so.; Ja'Dynn Martin, Dayton Northridge, 6-4, 200, sr. OL: Xadrian Ream, Shelby, 6-1, 305, sr.; Brady Dukeshire, Clyde, 6-5, 267, jr.; Wyatt Toothman, St. Clairsville, 6-0, 230, sr.; Dom Slimon, Beloit West Branch, 6-2, 260, sr.; Liam Albright, Bay, 6-3, 275, sr.; Jack Feldmeier, Cincinnati Wyoming, 6-4, 240, sr.; Trent Brooks, Brookville, 5-10, 285, sr. K: Ryan Cvitkovic, Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin, 5-9, 160, jr. Second Team Defense DL: Marcel James, Chillicothe Unioto, 6-2, 260, sr.; Zach Sallee, Galion, 6-1, 210, jr.; Dom Letlow, Youngstown Mooney, 6-3, 230, so.; Andrew Smith, Perry, 5-5, 175, sr.; Trent Taylor, Perry, 6-5, 239, jr.; Jess Hauer, Cincinnati Wyoming, 6-3, 265, sr. LB: Tyson Waddle, Caledonia River Valley, 5-10, 215, jr.; Landon Sowards, Ontario, 5-10, 200, sr.; Kane Curran, East Liverpool Beaver Local, 6-0, 210, Sr.; Markus Brown, Norton, 6-1, 185, jr.; Owen McKoon, Perry, 6-0, 210, sr.; Preston Allen, Springfield Northwestern, 6-2, 225, jr.; Ceasar Berryman, Germantown Valley View, 6-0, 210, jr.; Ty Clutter, Clarksville Clinton-Massie, 5-10, 175, sr. DB: Kam Shortridge, Clyde, 6-0, 191, sr.; Eric Golder, Gnadenhutten Indian Valley, 5-11, 160, Sr.; Buddy Willig, Norton, 6-1, 170, jr.; Armani Chiappone, Perry, 5-10, 175, sr.; Aaron Scales, Glenville, 5-9, 180, jr.; Grant Ferguson, Cleves Taylor, 5-10, 178, sr. P: Aaron Mathis, Vermilion, 6-2, 195, sr. Third Team Offense QB: Kolton Stover, Marengo Highland, 6-4, 195, sr.; Morgan Smith, Millersburg West Holmes, 6-1, 175, sr.; Cy Christensen, Clearview, 6-1, 170, jr. RB: Carson Kellogg, New Lexington, 5-8, 175, sr.; Owen Ruff, Lancaster Fairfield Union, 5-11, 210, sr.; Lynn Cline, Millersburg West Holmes, 6-0, 175, jr.; C.J. Newell, Glenville, 5-10, 180, jr.; Rocco Ereditario, Bay, 5-11, 188, jr.; Brayden Mitchum, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, 5-9, 195, sr.; Anthony Valenti, Germantown Valley View, 5-11, 165, jr.. WR/TE: Luke Axline, Caledonia River Valley, 6-0, 170, sr.; Mason Pollard, Waverly, 5-11, 165, sr.; Jacob Chambers, Galion, 6-1, 175, jr.; Logan Allman, Canal Fulton Northwest, 5-9, 145, jr.; Ace Peterlin, Lake Catholic, 5-10, 165, sr.; Luke Sivon, Perry, 6-1, 195, sr. OL: Kasen Abbott, Columbus Ready, 5-10, 215, sr.; Ben Griffin, Chillicothe Unioto, 6-2, 250, sr.; Luke Soptelean, Canal Fulton Northwest, 5-10, 265, sr.; Talon Beichler, Orrville, 6-2, 305, sr.; Chuck Thomas, Perry, 6-2, 219, sr.; Anthony Zagrocki, Perry, 6-2, 190, sr.; Noah Angle, Firelands, 6-3, 238, sr. K: Hudson Pollock, Caledonia River Valley, 6-0, 170, sr. Third Team Defense DL: Rayvon Skelton, Ontario, 5-9, 240, sr.; Di'Marion Gill, Glenville, 6-3, 225, sr.; Mike Branch, Cleves Taylor, 6-3, 215, jr.; Luca Kerridge, Germantown Valley View, 6-2, 210, sr.; Jordan Meyers, Brookville, 6-2, 300, sr. LB: JJ Holloway, Heath, 5-10, 180, jr.; Montayvon Robinson, Columbus Marion-Franklin, 5-11, 200, jr.; Dennis Lafon, Shelby, 5-8, 155, sr.; Cohen Mooney, Vermilion, 6-0, 200, sr.; Logan Wilhite, Zanesville Maysville, 5-8, 175, sr.; Marty Loncar, Lake Catholic, 6-1, 190, jr.; Josiah Longo, Clearview, 5-9, 180, sr; Patrick Keefer, Franklin Bishop Fenwick, 6-2, 195, jr. DB: Grant Horne, Plain City Jonathan Alder, 5-10, 175, sr.; Caden Cutright, Chillicothe Unioto, 5-10, 145, sr.; Vince Tomasic, Perry, 6-0, 163, sr.; Brady Russell, Clarksville Clinton-Massie, 6-1, 170, sr.; Vince Guyer, St. Bernard Roger Bacon, 6-0, 180, sr.; Connor Davis, Reading, 6-2, 200, sr. P: Drew Gasber, St. Clairsville, 6-0, 170, sr. AREA HONORABLE MENTION VERMILION: Chad Ellis, OL, 5-9, 185, jr.; Beau Benesh, DL, 6-2, 200, sr. Division V Offensive Player of the Year: Shaun Terry, Ironton Defensive Players of the Year: Alex Reese, Martins Ferry; Luke Starkey, Canfield South Range Coaches of the Year: Ryan Haines, Jamestown Greeneview; Trevon Pendleton, Ironton First Team Offense QB: Cole Spaulding, Columbus Academy, 6-6, 205, sr.; Mike LaLonde, Oak Harbor, 5-10, 170, sr.; Casey Carpenter, Barnesville, 5-11, 185, sr.; Tristan Toy, Canfield South Range, 5-10, 170, sr.; Alex Amburgy, Waynesville, 6-1, 185, sr. RB: Nana Owusu, Johnstown Monroe, 5-7, 165, sr.; Waylon Rentz, Liberty Center, 5-11, 205, sr.; Dillon Soehnlen, Sugarcreek Garaway, 5-8, 155, sr.; Phil Partin, Akron Manchester, 5-9, 165, so.; Mason Moyer, Norwayne, 5-10, 205, sr.; Carson Ridener, Oak Harbor, 6-0, 190, sr.; Garrett Lundy, Waynesville, 5-7, 165, sr. WR/TE: Caleb Anthony, Columbus Africentric, 5-8, 165, jr.; Shaun Terry, Ironton, 5-10, 175, sr.; Jack Hayden, Proctorville Fairland, 6-1, 180, sr.; Davin Wendt, Edison, 6-0, 165, sr.; Quest Clay, Lewiston Indian Lake, 5-8, 150, sr.; Aidan Hopewell, Cincinnati Madeira, 6-1, 185, sr. OL: Brady Henry, Marion Pleasant, 6-3, 260, sr.; Lucas Langhals, Edison, 6-4, 200, sr.; Jonathan Stangl, Canton Central Catholic, 6-8, 318, sr.; Luke McGill, West Liberty West Liberty-Salem, 6-0, 215, sr.; Isaac Schulte, Oak Harbor, 6-2, 260, jr.; Ben Rader, Johnstown, 6-3, 320, sr.; Ezechiel Teshome, Harvest Prep, 6-1, 250, sr. K: Cooper Heimbach, Wheelersburg, 6-0, 160, Jr. First Team Defense DL: Sam Mentzer, Marion Pleasant, 5-11, 200, sr.; Aiden Layne, Ironton, 6-0, 240, sr.; Zander Zeiter, Liberty Center, 6-2, 240, sr.; Jacob Ridener, Oak Harbor, 6-0, 215, sr.; Alex Reese, Martins Ferry, 6-6, 220, sr.; Ivan Trent, Garrettsville Garfield, 6-3, 255, sr. LB: Dezmond Porter, Harvest Prep, 6-0, 200, jr.; Blake Elliott, East Knox, 5-11, 210, sr.; Cy Finnen, Edison, 5-11, 215, sr.; Jayce Wallick, Sugarcreek Garaway, 6-0, 205, sr.; Luke Starkey, Canfield South Range, 6-0, 215, sr.; Brody Lynch, Camden Preble Shawnee, 6-0, 225, sr.; Josh Wilcoxon, West Liberty West Liberty-Salem, 5-9, 195, sr. DB: Jamarcus Jones, Harvest Prep, 6-0, 170, jr.; Cam Kahle, Liberty Center, 5-9, 155, sr.; Josh Johnson, Ironton, 6-3, 185, sr.; Payton Mayfield, West Milton Milton-Union, 5-8, 140, sr.; Luke Czarnecki, Williamsburg, 6-2, 200, jr. P: Connor Yeager, Batavia Clermont Northeastern, 6-4, 215, sr. Second Team Offense QB: Braden Schreck, Ironton, 6-2, 185, sr.; Zach Elchert, Findlay Liberty-Benton, 6-3, 195, jr.; Drew Luidhardt, Pemberville Eastwood, 5-10, 165, jr.; Burke Lowry, Fairview, 6-3, 190, jr.; Alex Horney, Jamestown Greeneview, 5-11, 180, sr. RB: Chase Heiland, Portsmouth, 5-8, 195, sr.; Austin Gautier, Nelsonville-York, 5-8, 165, jr.; Carter Winland, Zanesville West Muskingum, 5-9, 205, sr.; Nate Blasiole, Mantua Crestwood, 5-9, 200, sr.; Josiah Hunter, Girard, 5-6, 170, sr.; Blake Lawson, Carlisle, 5-19, 170, sr.; Kaleb Miller, Middletown Madison, 5-9, 188, sr. WR/TE: Derron Gray Jr., Columbus Africentric, 6-4, 210, jr.; Cam Robinson, Worthington Christian, 6-1, 185, sr.; Jaxon Magnone, Genoa Area, 6-4, 195, so.; Lukas Gilland, Magnolia Sandy Valley, 6-2, 185, sr.; Dylan Smith, Creston Norwayne, 6-0, 175, sr.; Trenton Davis, Waynesville, 5-10, 185, sr. OL: Ethan Recker, Pemberville Eastwood, 6-0, 225, sr.; Braden Butler, Barnesville, 6-0, 290, Sr.; Dom Yurich, Poland, 6-1, 230, sr.; Macin Padin, Keystone, 5-10, 210, sr.; Brennan Worley, Waynesville, 6-4, 260, sr.; Bowen Gossett, Ironton, 6-2, 265, sr.; Landon Evans, Wheelersburg, 6-5, 285, sr.; Will Granger, Findlay Liberty-Benton, 6-1, 235, sr. K: Fulton Krupp, Oak Harbor, 6-2, 175, jr.; Roman Percic, Burton Berkshire, 5-9, 160, jr. Second Team Defense DL: MJ Jackson, Columbus Academy, 6-2, 250, sr.; Dillon King, Sugarcreek Garaway, 6-2, 210, jr.; Gavin Gindlesperger, Akron Manchester, 6-1, 205, jr.; Roman Gilbert, Wooster Triway, 6-3, 250, jr.; Conrad Bartley, Shaw, 5-9, 260, sr.; Cam Bair, West Liberty-Salem, 6-0, 255, sr. LB: Shavez Watkins, Harvest Prep, 5-7, 195, sr.; Quentin Cremeans, Proctorville Fairland, 6-0, 225, sr.; Hines Ford, Barnesville, 5-10, 185, jr.; Shane Ohl, Keystone, 6-1, 185, jr.; Trey Moore, Wellington, 5-10, 180, jr.; Noah Shirk, Lewistown Indian Lake, 5-11, 160, jr.; Finn Warden, Cincinnati Mariemont, 6-0, 180, sr. DB: Gabe Davis-Ray, Columbus Academy, 6-0, 160, jr.; Alex Frenk, Wellington, 6-1, 165, jr.; Will Allen, Fairview, 5-11, 170, jr.; Brodey Reisinger, Lewiston Indian Lake, 6-2, 175, so.; Jacob Evans, West Liberty West Liberty-Salem, 6-1, 190, sr. P: Charlie Kinkead, Johnstown Northridge, 6-0, 173, jr. Third Team Offense QB: Joshua Smith, Columbus Africentric, 6-4, 180, jr.; Jake Anton, Zanesville West Muskingum, 6-3, 175, sr.; Luke Starr, Wooster Triway, 6-2, 175, jr.; Zach Shackelford, Keystone, 6-0, 175, sr.; Brody Morton, Camden Preble Shawnee, 6-3, 170, jr. RB: Kaden Murphy, Coal Grove Dawson-Bryant, 5-9, 175, jr.; Carter Runyon, McDermott Northwest, 6-3, 210, sr.; Bryson Wittmer, Edison, 6-0, 225, jr.; Aidan Dominguez, Canfield South Range, 6-1, 190, sr.; Max Hawkins, Columbiana Crestview, 5-11, 204, sr.; Conner Thomas, Canton Central Catholic, 5-10, 180, sr.; Wyatt McKee, Keystone, 6-0, 195, so.; WR/TE: Mason Thacker, Piketon, 5-5, 140, sr.; Seth Elchert, Liberty-Benton, 6-3, 185, jr.; Johnnie Kinter, Wellington, 6-3, 200, sr.; J.R. Beato, Fairview, 6-0, 190, sr.; Grady Whitacre, Keystone, 6-0, 185, sr.; Tristin Kyle, Shaw, 6-7, 255, sr. OL: Evan Brower, Chillicothe Zane Trace, 6-0, 260, sr.; Dylan Congdon, Zoarville Tuscarawas Valley, 6-9, 320, sr.; Mitchell George, Byesville Meadowbrook, 6-6, 285, sr.; Sam Stauffer, Chagrin Falls, 6-1, 225, sr.; Cooper Shrout, Camden Preble Shawnee, 6-4, 280, jr.; Trey Holden, Williamsburg, 5-11, 260, jr.; Blake Midlam, Jamestown Greeneview, 6-0, 230, sr.; ; Brady Giesige, Liberty Center, 6-2, 265, sr. K: Hayden Dunn, Amanda-Clearcreek, 6-2, 205, jr.; Evan Lough, Barnesville, 6-2, 180, Sr. Third Team Defense DL: Tony Theodoropoulos, Johnstown Northridge, 5-11, 200, sr.; Chase Johnson, Columbus Africentric, 6-0, 250, sr.; Marquez Colvin, Harvest Prep, 6-4, 240, sr.; Kingston Littlefield, Portsmouth, 5-8, 167, sr.; Danny Tiller, Burton Berkshire, 6-1, 205, jr.; Gavin Henry, Jamestown Greeneview, 6-1, 210, sr.; Kaden Marshall, St. Paris Graham, 6-2, 245, sr. LB: Jace Trachtenberg, Marion Pleasant, 6-0, 210, sr.; Austin Collert, Findlay Liberty-Benton, 5-11, 175, jr.; RJ Welshans, Martins Ferry, 5-10, 175, so.; Peyton Causby, Belmont Union Local, 6-1, 190, sr.; Jayce Mauger, Akron Manchester, 5-11, 185, sr.; Logan Hackworth, Norwayne, 6-1, 195, sr.; Cole Kramer, Chagrin Falls, 5-10, 175, jr.; Cooper Payton, Jamestown Greeneview, 5-10, 185, sr. DB: Jacob Hochanadel, Johnstown, 5-9, 175, sr.; Landen Inman, Nelsonville-York, 6-0, 160, sr.; Hayden Bankes, McConnelsville Morgan, 5-7, 160, Jr.; Oliver Miller, Burton Berkshire, 5-8, 165, so.; Johnny Owens, Beachwood, 5-11, 190, sr.; Cole Ducas, Chagrin Falls, 6-3, 200, sr. P: Jas Stefancin, Poland, 6-2, 165, sr. AREA HONORABLE MENTION WELLINGTON: Nathan Krosse, DL, 5-11, 200, sr.; Bryce Lehmkuhl, P, 6-2, 185, so.