By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

Big hitters made a big hit with the Associated Press All-Ohio teams.

Coal Grove senior linebacker Greg Bender and Symmes Valley senior linebacker Grant Foster were big hitters all season on defense and they led 10 area players named to the AP Division V and Division VI All-Ohio teams.

The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Bender was a second team selection in Division V while the 6-1, 220-pound Foster was named to the Division VI first team defense.

Garrett Foster — Grant’s twin brother — was named to the Div. VI third team. The 6-1, 220-pounder was selected as an offensive lineman.

Coal Grove’s 6-foot, 230-pound senior defensive tackle James Suttles and 6-3, 275-pound senior offensive tackle Brady Burton were named special mention in Div. V along with Rock Hill’s 5-10, 170-pound senior wide receiver Trey Wilds.

The Vikings had three players named to the special mention list that included 5-10, 180-pound defensive back senior Cody Myers, 5-9, 170-pound junior running back Alec Herrell and 5-10, 165-pound sophomore running back D.J. Miller.

Green Bobcats’ 6-foot, 190-pound senior Cody Bruce was also named special mention in Div. VI.

Bender not only led the Hornets in tackles but he rushed 139 times for 974 yards and 12 touchdowns in nine games. He was first team all-district.

Suttles was the Hornets’ top defensive lineman while Burton was Coal Grove’s best offensive lineman. The duo helped the Hornets win the Ohio Valley Conference title.

Wilds caught 36 passes for 471 yards and five touchdowns. Wilds also have four other touchdowns returning punts and kickoffs.

Grant Foster — the Southeast District and SOC defensive player of the year — had 151 tackles including three sacks and 20 tackles for a loss. He also had two interceptions.

Garrett Foster is a three-year starter on the offensive line and was first team all-district each of the past two seasons.

Herrell ran 105 times for 1,129 yards and eight touchdowns. Miller carried 100 times for 801 yards and a team-high 13 touchdowns.

Myers was not only a safety but a quarterback. He was 22 of 51 for 374 yards and three touchdowns while running 109 times for 622 yards and five scores.

The Vikings won the SOC title, qualified for the playoffs and were ranked 10th in the final AP poll.

Bruce was a first team all-district pick as an all-purpose player. He not only played wide receiver, he filled in at quarterback when Steven Blanton was injured. He also played defensive back and returned kicks.