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Taking a Look at Individual Statistical Champions

WHEELING –A major part of being a sports fan is statistics.

Who’s the leading rusher? How many yards do so and so have to this point? To many these questions are known as being a ”stats geek”, which is much more of a compliment than it is something to feel bad about.

Growing up in middle school, if you wanted to know the statistics of just about any player in any sport, you sat at the lunch table of this author, which was kind of like wearing a badge of honor. It’s always been fascinating, even more so when one considers that knowledge was gained by scouring the agate page of this very newspaper.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at how the best of the best stack up in the Ohio Valley as the Buckeye State has concluded its regular season, with West Virginia following suit this weekend.

Big School

Passing: Despite missing time due to injury, University senior Logan Holgorsen is going to lead the way in both yards (2,041) and touchdowns (26), barring a career game from Parkersburg South’s Brayden Mooney this week. Mooney (1,437 yards) needs a highly unlikely 604 against Parkersburg to overtake Holgorsen, whose team’s regular season is finished.

Rushing: What seemed like a foregone conclusion at the halfway mark, actually came down to the wire. St. Clairsville’s Brady Kolb takes home titles in both yards (1,447) and touchdowns (24). He held off a stiff challenge from Steubenville’s Tayveon Crawford, who with 909 yards in the last four weeks finished with 1,414 and 14 touchdowns. Donavan Kirby of Weir finished third with 1,319 yards.

Receiving: Despite starting the season in the shadow of teammate Amir Richardson, University’s Evan Parow put up a Moss Award-worthy season. He led the OVAC in catches (68), yards (1,154) and touchdown receptions (19). Harrison Central’s Tyler West checked in with 34 catches, 654 yards and 12 scores.

Scoring: This one isn’t finished and it’s a three-horse race. Kolb (146 points) and Kirby (138) are in the clubhouse. But Parkersburg’s Nick Yoho (138) is still on the field for another week.

Kick Scoring: There are also three still involved here, though University’s Jonah Fares (48) can finish no better than second. Parkersburg South’s Ben Haught (34 PATs, five FGs) leads the way with 49 points while Wheeling Park’s Andrew Glass (35 PATs, three FGs) is hanging in with 44 points. Each has a game remaining.

Small School

Passing: With both Linsly’s Wyatt Hirt and Wheeling Central’s Curtis McGhee III going down with injuries, Shadyside’s Anthony Coggins ran away a title. The senior led the way in yards (1,958) and tied McGhee for TDs (19), though Magnolia’s Pat Mirandy (16 TDs) still has a game remaining.

Rushing: This is one of the few in either classification that wasn’t even close. Cameron’s Andrew Ritchea was far and away the top gun in both yards (1,800) and touchdowns (29). Cole Porter of Bellaire finished as the second-leading rusher with 1,426 yards.

Receiving: We introduced you to the winner, Magnolia’s Sebastian Stickler, a few weeks ago in this space. With one game remaining he has clinched both receptions (52) and yards (730). Shadyside’s Kelly Hendershot is second in both categories with 44 and 712, respectively. Wheeling Central’s Bray Price (seven) trails Stickler by two TD catches and the teams meet this week.

Scoring: Another runaway thanks to Ritchea, who finished with 186 points (valley-leading 30 touchdowns). Tyler Consolidated’s Mark Rucker (146) is a distant second with a game to play.

Kick Scoring: This one is still in play. Steubenville Catholic’s Jarred Roberts leads the way with 41 points — all PATs — while Shadyside’s Angel Velasquez is second with 38 points. The wildcard here is Magnolia’s Mirandy, who in addition to playing QB also kicks field goals and PATs. With a game left, Mirandy sits third with 32 points.

Offensive Players of the Week

Alex Burton

John Marshall

The sophomore received a chance last Friday night and literally ran with it. He picked up 277 yards and scored four touchdowns on 29 carries as the Monarchs buried Warren at home, 39-0.

Trent Rice

Martins Ferry

The receiver hauled in four passes for 128 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns in a 34-0 victory against rival Bellaire. The two teams meet again this week in the first round of the OHSAA playoffs.

Defensive Player of the Week

Bradley Moats

Beallsville

Although in a losing effort, Moats was everywhere last Friday night. He made 11 tackles — 1.5 for loss — including a half of a sack as the Blue Devils concluded their season.

Ground Gainers

∫ Garrett Givens, Beaver Local: Amassed 361 yards and five touchdowns on 41 carries.

∫ Nick Yoho, Parkersburg South: Carried 24 times for 140 yards and two touchdowns.

∫ Tucker Coultrap, Harrison Central: Rushed 20 times for 154 yards and a score.

∫ Donavan Kirby, Weir: Picked up 21 yards and scored on 31 carries.

∫ Malachi Rose-Burton, Monroe Central: Rushed for a career-high 187 yards and three touchdowns on 10 carries.

Aerial Attack

∫ Zach Grafton, Buckeye Trail: Completed 19 of 37 passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns.

∫ Nate Karaffa, Toronto: Was good on 9 of 12 passes for 166 yards and three touchdowns.

Good Hands Team

∫ Zach Stackhouse: Was on the receiving end of three passes that went for 77 yards and a pair of scores.

∫ Matt Saxon, Paden City: Hauled in seven passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns.

∫ Zach Taylor, Oak Glen: Made a pair of catches — both touchdowns — that went for 106 yards.

Mr. Everything

∫ Tate Dowler, Barnesville: Rushed 16 times for 100 yards and three touchdowns while also passing for another 52 yards.

∫ Josef Bailey, Union Local: Carried 11 times for 56 yards, caught a pass and had a team-leading 9.5 tackles — seven solos.

∫ Dakota Phillips, Beallsville: Carried 17 times for 64 yards and completed seven passes for 82 more.

∫ Jake Probst, Martins Ferry: Completed 5 of 13 for 145 yards and two TDs while rushing for 51 yards and a touchdown on seven carries.

∫ Ryan Cross, Paden City: Carried 20 times for 77 yards and three scores and completed 10 of 21 for 164 and two scores.

∫ Tyler West, Harrison Central: Rushed 12 times for 251 yards and three touchdowns while hauling in three passes for 26 yards and another TD.

Wrecking Crew

∫ Reid Wiley, John Marshall: Sophomore corner led way with eight tackles as Monarchs clinched playoff berth.

∫ Cal Kildow, Dakota Hess, Union Local: Each had 8.5 tackles — seven solos — with Hess adding one behind the line of scrimmage.

∫ Bastian Gehrer, Neville Kruger, Chance Knight, Linsly: Gehrer again led the way with 12 tackles — three solos, one for loss — and a forced fumble. Kruger added 10 tackles and a pair of fumble recoveries and Knight had nine total tackles.

∫ Jack Parry, Buckeye Trail: Was charted with 10 tackles, nine of which he took care of himself.

∫ Cody Albaugh, Bellaire: Made 11 stops — 10 solos — including one behind the line of scrimmage.

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