COLUMBUS – Several Eastern Ohio high school football players received all-Ohio recognition Monday when the Division VI and Division VII all-state teams were released. The teams are voted upon by members of the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association.

DIVISION VII

Steubenville Catholic’s Matthew Sprochi was selected to the first team as a defensive back.

Crusader teammate Johnny Kostecki was a second team offensive lineman.

Bridgeport senior Jaki Threet was named to the second team as a quarterback, as was Conotton Valley’s Kaden Leggett. Southern Local running back Landen Heffner and Conotton Valley running back Gavin Haney earned third-team mention, while Bridgeport’s Brode Brown was a third team defensive back.

DIVISION VI

Fort Frye defensive back Tyce Beardsley was a first-team selection, as was Caldwell running back Gavin Leake.

Toronto offensive lineman Heath Thomas was selected to the second team.

Earning third team status on offense was Monroe Central quarterback Cooper Howell; Martins Ferry running back Walkquem Cox; Toronto wide receiver Brady Fair; and Fort Frye offensive lineman Blake Wheeler.

Third team defensive honorees were Caldwell linebacker Owen Hunt and Monroe Central punter Jett Kaiser.

2025 Division VI All-Ohio Football Teams

OPSMA Division VI Ohio Offensive Players of the Year: Jake LaVerde, Kirtland; Austin Buescher, West Jefferson; William Zeedyk, Sherwood Fairview; Braxton Leeth, Convoy Crestview

OPSMA Division VI Ohio Defensive Player of the Year: Payne DeGray, North Robinson Colonel Crawford

OPSMA Division VI Ohio Coach of the Year: Gary Quisno, Castalia Margaretta

(Only OVAC players listed)

First Team Offense

RB: Gavin Leake, Caldwell, 5-10, 175, sr.

First Team Defense

DB: Tyce Beardsley, Fort Frye, 6-2, 200, sr.

Second Team Defense

DL: Heath Thomas, Toronto, 6-4, 270, sr.

Third Team Offense

QB: Cooper Howell, Monroe Central, 6-1, 185, jr.

RB: Walkquem Cox, Martins Ferry, 5-11, 205, so.

WR: Brady Fair, Toronto, 5-8, 155, sr.;

OL: Blake Wheeler, Fort Frye, 5-9, 185, sr.

Third Team Defense

LB: Owen Hunt, Caldwell, 5-10, 175, sr.

P: Jett Kaiser, Monroe Central, 5-9, 190, fr.

Honorable Mention

QB: Michael Henry, Toronto, 6-1, 205, sr.

RB: Gavin Rauch, Fort Frye, 5-7, 140, jr.

WR/TE: Max Demchak, Monroe Central, 5-7, 135, jr.; Brody Chandler, Caldwell, 5-9, 170, sr.

OL: Malachi Giles, Martins Ferry, 6-2, 285, jr.; Chase Heckathorn, Toronto, 6-2, 190, sr.; Charles Gessel, Caldwell, 6-0, 235, jr.; Dayne Miller, Fort Frye, 6-0, 185, sr.

DL: Ashton Lumbatis, Monroe Central, 6-3, 280, jr.; Guiler Preston, Caldwell, 6-2, 220, sr.

LB: Tytan Waller, Fort Frye, 6-2, 195, jr.; RJ Welshans, Martins Ferry, 5-10, 175, jr.; Jonah Moracco, Caldwell, 5-9, 175, sr.; Cole VanFossen, Shenandoah, 5-7, 138, sr.

DB: Elijah Roby, Martins Ferry, 6-2, 170, so; Grady Hesson, Fort Frye, 5-10, 160, jr.; Colt Joynson, Toronto, 6-1, 155, jr.

2025 Division VII All-Ohio Football Teams

OPSMA Division VII Ohio Offensive Players of the Year: Turner Lachey, Sidney Lehman Catholic; Charlie Werling, St. Henry

OPSMA Division VII Ohio Defensive Player of the Year: Brayden Mescher, Maria Stein Marion Local

OPSMA Division VII Ohio Coach of the Year: John Nagle, Fairport Harbor Fairport Harding

(Only OVAC players listed)

First Team Defense

DB: Matthew Sprochi, Steubenville Catholic, 5-9, 145, sr.

Second Team Offense

QB: Kaden Leggett, Conotton Valley, 6-0, 160, jr.; Jaki Threet, Bridgeport, 6-0, 185, sr.

RB: Landen Heffner, Southern, 5-9, 165, sr.; Gavin Haney, Conotton Valley, 5-10, 185, sr.

OL: Johnny Kostecki, Steubenville Central, 5-8, 250, jr.

Third Team Defense

DB: Brode Brown, Bridgeport, 6-0, 170, jr.

Honorable Mention

RB: Caleb Kirkpatrick, Frontier, 5-10, 180, sr.

WR/TE: Kamden Wright, Conotton Valley, 5-8, 150, sr.; Austyn Kephart, Frontier, 6-1, 150, jr.

OL: Robert Levengood, Conotton Valley, 5-10, 190, jr.

K: Augusto Bettini, Bridgeport, 6-2, 180, sr.; Carson Jones, River, 5-9, 150, jr.

DL: Alex Federoff, Steubenville Catholic, 6-4, 255, sr.; Hunter Strawn, River, 5-11, 160, sr.

LB: Isaac Smith, Conotton Valley, 5-8, 150, so.