One throws, the other catches, but on Monday, both received.
Peyton Jackson and Shaun Terry were named the Division III co-offensive players of the year on the 2023 Ohio Prep Sports Writers Association All-Southeast District football team.
Terry, a junior wide receiver from Ironton, caught 27 passes for 525 yards and nine touchdowns, carried 28 times for 391 yards and five TDs, returned six kickoffs for 131 yards and and toted 18 punts for 575 yards and four scores to help the Fighting Tigers to a 10-2 record and Ohio Valley Conference championship.
“He’s electric,” Ironton coach Trevon Pendleton said of Terry. “When he has the ball in his hands, he makes things happen.”
Jackson, a senior quarterback at Fairland, completed 155 of 219 passes for 2,416 yards and 32 touchdowns with four interceptions, leading the Dragons to a 9-2 record, second-place finish in the OVC and the second round of the playoffs. He set Fairland career and season records for touchdown passes.
“I’m really proud of Peyton,” Fairland coach Mike Jackson, Peyton’s dad, said. “He’s done everything we’ve asked of him and worked really hard to come back from a shoulder injury.”
Local stars joining Jackson and Terry on the first-team offense/all-purpose unit were Ironton’s Braden Schreck, Noah Patterson, Bailey Thacker and Zayne Williams, Fairland’s Brycen Hunt, South Point’s Brayden Hanshaw, Eli Wilburn and Blaine Freeman and Chesapeake’s Camron Shockley.
Other first-teamers of area interest included Wheelersburg’s Creed Warren, Connor Estep, Devon Lattimore and Cole Estep, Portsmouth’s Leo Poxes, Zach Roth and Chase Heiland and Meigs’ Griffin Cleland.
The first-team defense was headed by player of the year Jake Darling, a linebacker from Wheelersburg. Lineman of the year was Patterson, who has signed with Eastern Michigan University. Coach of the year was Dylan Wears of Zane Trace.
Locals on the first-team defense were Aiden Layne and Aris Pittman of Ironton, Quentin Cremeans and Ryan Dixon of Fairland and Drew Plantz of Chesapeake.
Cody Risner of Wheelersburg and Noah Livingston of Portsmouth also made it.
Local players who earned special mention included Garrett Napier of Chesapeake, Josh Johnson, Bowen Gossett and Jesse Copas of Ironton, Tristan Dailey, Jack Hayden and Christian Collins of Fairland and Anthony Burks and Gage Chapman of South Point.
River Valley’s Gary Truance, Conlee Burnam of Meigs and Landon Hutchinson and Kenyon Evans of Wheelersburg also cracked the club.
In Division VI, Braylon Robertson of Paint Valley was offensive player of the year, Gavin Richards of Nelsonville-York top defender, Peyton Bell of Paint Valley lineman of the year and Corey Dye of Paint Valley coach of the year.
Local players on the first-team offense were Daniel Medinger of Rock Hill and Brett Klaiber and Kaden Murphy of Coal Grove. First-team defenders were Rock Hill’s Anthony Stamper and Coal Grove’s Devin Bloomfield.
Special mention selections included Chase Blevins and Chase Sizemore of Rock Hill and Joey Scarberry and Caden Turner of Coal Grove.
In Division VII, offensive player of the year was Dylan Morton of Eastern Pike. Brandon Oldaker of Eastern Meigs was top defender. Brewer Tomlinson of Eastern Pike was best lineman. Eastern Pike’s Scott Tomlinson was coach of the year.
First-team offensive players included Will Jones of Symmes Valley and James Sheets and Layne Wright of South Gallia. First-team defenders included Caden Mount of Symmes Valley and E.J. Seiders and Brycen Stanley of South Gallia.
Special mention picks featured Braxton Conschafsky of Green and Waylon Waugh and Tanner Sanders of South Gallia.
In Division IV, Gallia Academy linebacker Cole Hines was defensive player of the year. Newton Hoops of Unioto took top offensive honors. Cole Davis of Sheridan was lineman of the year. Vinton County’s T.J. Carper, a former Marshall University player and Cabell Midland assistant, was named coach of the year.
Gallia Academy first-teamers were Kenyon Franklin, Steven Davis, Hudson Shamblin and Hunter Shamblin. The Blue Devils’ Joey Darnbrough earned special mention.