FRIDAY NIGHT OHIO

Willtrell Hartson, Will Butler among 5 Stark first-team Division II All-Ohio football picks

The Repository

Three Massillon Tigers and two Lake Blue Streaks earned first-team All-Ohio football honors in Division II. The All-Ohio teams for Division II and III were released Wednesday.

The All-Ohio teams are sponsored by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association and chosen by a panel of sports writers and broadcasters from across the state. The Ohio High School Athletic Association released the Division VI and VII teams Monday. and the Division IV and V teams Tuesday. The Division I all-state team will be released Thursday.

Massillon's trio is headlined by record-setting running back Willtrell Hartson, who is joined on the first team by teammates Ardell Banks at receiver and Dorian Pringle at linebacker. Lake's duo is linebacker Evan Brady and defensive back Will Butler.

Massillon running back Willtrell Hartson beats the tackle of Big Walnut defender Zach Griffith for a touchdown in the second half at Mansfield's Arlin Field in this Div. II playoff game Friday, November 11, 2022.

Hartson, a senior, leaves Massillon with numerous records, including single-season and single-game rushing records. He became the first Tiger to eclipse 2,000 yards this season, gaining 2,042. His 34 total touchdowns this season tied a 100-year-old school record and his 208 points broke Edwin Hill's school-record 204 points in 1922.

Hartson, who ran for at least 100 yards in each of Massillon's first 13 games, helped the Tigers go 12-2 and reach the state semifinals.

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Massillon's Ardell Banks scores a first-quarter touchdown as McKinley's DJ Lewis defends Saturday, October 22, 2022.

Banks caught 38 passes for 791 yards and 12 TDs, averaging 20.8 yards per catch. The 6-foot-4 senior recently committed to Kentucky. He was at his best when Massillon upset No. 1-ranked St. Edward, the state's eventual Division I state champ, as Bates delivered a season-best 164 receiving yards and two TD on five catches in the Week 5 game.

Pringle, a 5-11, 220-pound junior, was the Northeast Inland District Co-Defensive Player of the Year for his work this season. He led the area with 21.5 tackles for loss and led the Tigers with 69.5 total tackles. He also blocked two kicks and scored seven TDs as a short-yardage specialist.

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Massillon's Dorian Pringle looks for the touchdown call in the third quarter against Austintown Fitch at Massillon.  Friday, September 23, 2022.

A fourth Massillon Tiger, senior Marcus Moore Jr. is a third-team All-Ohio pick on the defensive line. A University of Akron recruit, he totaled 33 tackles as a defensive tackle with 5.5 tackles for loss. He played a big role in Massillon limiting opposing teams to just 3.0 yards per carry and 96.6 rushing yards per game.

Lake's Butler and Brady helped the Blue Streaks win a share of their first Federal League title since 1998 and advance to the regional finals.

Butler, a 6-3, 215-pound senior, was the Federal League Player of the Year. He did a bit of everything for the Blue Streaks, earning All-Ohio as a defensive back. He also split quarterback duties and subbed in at running back in the playoffs because of injuries (producing his season high of 122 yards in regional semifinal win).

Lake’s William Butler II reaches for touchdown during the second quarter against Westerville South on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022.

Butler made 66 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, three fumble recoveries and one interception as a strong safety. As a QB, he completed 57.9% of his throws for 447 yards and seven TDs, while also rushing for 772 yards and 18 TDs. 

Brady's work at linebacker for Lake included 100 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and six sacks. He also forced two fumbles and scored on a 59-yard interception return for the 12-2 Blue Streaks, who allowed just 12.9 points per game.. 

Evan Brady, left, of Lake intercepts a pass intended for Anthony Manderine of Green and returns it for a touchdown, Friday, Oct. 21, 2022. Also providing coverage on the play for Lake is WIlliam Butler II, center.

Lake receiver Dylan Snyder and punter Celton Dutton earned second-team All-Ohio, while offensive lineman Jack McAvinew made the third team.

Snyder rarely came off the field for Lake, and was the ultimate big-play threat as the team's fastest player. He made 27 receptions for 739 yards (27.4 average) and 11 TDs. He broke a school record for single-game receiving yards (188), and tied school records for single-game receiving TDs (three) and single-season receiving TDs. He also totaled 47 tackles and made two interceptions as a free safety, returned a kickoff for a TD and gained 1,097 all-purpose yards. 

Dutton averaged 37.3 yards per punt, putting nine inside the opponent's 20, on 36 punts. He also kicked, going 49-for-55 on PATs and 2-for-5 on field goals, including a clutch 34-yarder to break a 7-7 tie early in fourth quarter of the regional semifinal win.

McAvinew was a three-year starter at offensive tackle, helping the Blue Streaks average more than 30 points and 300 yards per game.

Two other area players earned second-team All-Ohio honors, Hoover QB Carson Dyrlund and Green receiver Zach Baglia.

Dyrlund helped the Vikings to an eight-win season and a trip the playoffs. He completed 59.7% of passes for 1,786 yards and 13 TDs, with just two interceptions. He also ran for 809 yards at 5.2 a carry and 13 TDs.

Baglia caught 105 passes for 1,430 yards (13.6 average) and 14 TDs in 11 games, setting a school record for single-game receiving yards (277).

Earning third-team All-Ohio in Division II was Perry running back De'Andre Church. He finished as the Federal League's second-leading rusher, gaining 1,333 yards at 5.1 a carry and scoring 21 TDs. It was his second straight 1,000-yard season. 

In Division III, three key playmakers in Alliance's high-powered offense earned second- or third-team All-Ohio. Quarterback Brendan Zurbrugg and running back Kayden Davis made the second team. Wide receiver Ramhir Hawkins earned third team.

Zurbrugg threw for 2,184 yards and 23 TDs, with just five interceptions, as he completed 76.2% of his passes. He also an for another 804 yards at 7.4 a carry and 11 touchdowns, averaged 39.1 yards a punt and made 55-for-63 PATs.

Davis averaged 9.7 yards per carry in rushing for 1,500 yards and 20 TDs. He also caught 18 passes for 221 yards and three TDs despite playing most of the year with a cast on his left hand/wrist. . 

Hawkins set Alliance's single-season receptions record with 62 catches, good for 942 yards and eight TDs. He also returned a kickoff for a TD.