Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

It is quite a team and it even has an all-district coach.

A total of 26 area football players were named to the Associated Press Southeast Ohio All-District team and Fairland Dragons’ first-year head coach Cullen Homolka shared the top coaching honors with Wheelersburg’s Rob Woodward.

Homulka helped the Dragons to a 7-4 season, the Ohio Valley Conference title and their third playoff appearance.. The Dragons lost to Wheelersburg in the Division V Region 17 quarterfinals.

Heading the Div. V first team were Ironton’s 6-foot-5, 290-pound junior lineman Isaac Sherman and Fairland’s 5-10, 175-pound senior running back Evan Maddox.

Ironton quarterback and defensive back Tristan Cox was also a first team pick while running back D’Angelo Palladino and end Joe Bowling were special mention.

Maddox was joined on the first team by three teammates: junior lineman Tyler Campbell, wide receiver Kyle Sowards and quarterback Chance Short.

South Point linebackers Audric Harlow and Tyler Branch were also on the first team along with Chesapeake linebacker Chad Meadows.

Rock Hill lineman Ethan Baker, Chesapeake lineman Quinton Harris, South Point quarterback Gage Townson and Fairland defensive end Dylan Murphy were all special mention.

In Division VI, Coal Grove senior end Conor Markins led the area first team picks. He was joined by teammates Joe Akers and Austen Pleasants, both juniors.

The Hornets senior running back D.J. Miller and quarterback Jesse Rigsby were special mention.

The Symmes Valley Vikings had four players on the Division VII first team topped by senior fullback Tyler Rowe. Senior linemen Tyler Celeski and Ben Ferguson were honored along with sophomore linebacker Tyler Dement.

The Green Bobcats had senior running back Levi Mollett and junior lineman Alex Otworth named special mention.

A complete list of the all-district team is on Page 10.