CLEVELAND, Ohio — The regional finals of the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) football playoffs showcased exceptional talent from across Northeast Ohio, with standout performances earning recognition. Players demonstrated remarkable skills on the field, contributing to their teams’ successes in the playoffs. Coaches are encouraged to submit player statistics and nominations to Matt Goul by Sunday evening, with updates expected through Monday morning.
Top Performers of Week 14
Lance Dawson of Avon delivered a powerful performance as a senior defensive end and Cincinnati commit. He achieved 2.5 sacks and blocked two kicks—one field goal and an extra point—during Avon’s 36-19 victory over Highland, securing another Division II regional championship for the Eagles. This marks Avon’s eighth regional title in the past nine years.
From Glenville, Cincere Johnson, an Ohio State commit, led his team with seven solo tackles in their 35-7 win against Perry, solidifying their fourth consecutive trip to the Division IV state semifinals. Johnson’s performance included a sack, a tackle for loss, and a near interception, showcasing his defensive prowess.
Meanwhile, Wesley Keeler of Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy (CVCA) played a pivotal role in the Royals’ first regional crown in Division III. Keeler scored four touchdowns in CVCA’s 42-7 triumph over Villa Angela-St. Joseph, rushing for three touchdowns and returning a fumble for another.
Kirtland’s Jake LaVerde was instrumental in his team’s 21-7 victory against Sugarcreek Garaway, scoring all three of Kirtland’s touchdowns. LaVerde completed the game with 127 rushing yards on 22 carries, leading Kirtland to their ninth straight regional title and a return to the Division VI state semifinals.
In a strong showing for CVCA, Charley Levak, a senior quarterback, contributed significantly with 115 rushing yards and a touchdown on ten carries, alongside completing 4 of 7 passes for 109 yards.
Avon’s Quiante Smith followed up his impressive performance last week with a solid 176 rushing yards and a touchdown on 23 carries against Highland.
From Walsh Jesuit, David Ternosky returned from injury to impress, completing 6 of 9 passes for 114 yards and two touchdowns in his team’s 35-7 win against Archbishop Hoban in the Division II regional finals. His teammate Marty Tobin added to the offensive success with 199 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries.
Another highlight came from St. Edward’s Brandon White, who made history by becoming St. Edward’s all-time leading rusher. White amassed 178 yards and three touchdowns on 30 carries in a 27-7 win against Mentor, surpassing the previous record of 3,951 yards set by Cole Gest in 2015.
Voting Information: Cleveland.com invites fans to participate in a poll to select the player of the week. The poll will close at 10 p.m. on Wednesday, and the publication has implemented measures to ensure fair voting practices.
With the playoffs continuing, the spotlight remains on these talented athletes who are making significant impacts in their teams’ journeys toward the state championships.
