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2018 TSF Dayton Player of the Year Finalists

Fairmont RB Jessie Deglow (photo courtesy of ScoutingOhio.com)

Seniors dominate the 2018 Dayton Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year finalists. Fourteen of the 15 players are seniors and none of them were finalists a year ago. Six of the seven offensive finalists were named their conference players of the year. Six of the eight defensive finalists were named their conference players of the year.

Here is a look at the 2018 TriState Football Dayton Player of the Year finalists.

Dayton Offensive Player of the Year finalists
Connor Bazelak, Alter, Sr, QB – The Division III OPSWA Third Team All-Ohio and GCL North Co-OPOY honoree helped lead Alter (13-2) to a state runner-up finish which included a 13-game winning streak. He threw for 1,655 yards, had 12 touchdown passes with another 414 yards and eight trips to paydirt on the ground. Bazelak has signed with Missouri.

Jaydon Culp-Bishop, Troy, Sr, RB – Had a monster season with 2,427 yards rushing, 38 scores on the ground, 2,710 all-purpose yards and two kickoff returns for touchdowns. His performance earned him Division II OPSWA First Team All-Ohio and GWOC American North OPOY accolades.

Jesse Deglow, Fairmont, Sr, RB – The Division I OPSWA First Team All-Ohio and GWOC National East OPOY churned out 1,549 yards and 22 touchdowns rushing while helping lead Fairmont (7-4) to consecutive playoff trips for the first time in school history. Deglow had career highs of 278 yards and five touchdowns rushing in 49-44 loss, at Wayne in Week 8. He ran for 2,632 yards and 38 scores on the ground as a Firebird.

Jack Fessler, Fenwick, Sr, RB – Made the most of his final campaign after being hurt as a junior. The Fenwick (9-3) back finished with 1,874 yards and 26 touchdowns on the ground. The Falcons back had four consecutive games of 200 or more yards rushing including 317 versus Chaminade Julienne. The effort earned Fessler, Division III OPSWA First Team All-Ohio and GCL North Co-OPOY (along with Bazelak) honors.

Miles Johnson, Northmont, Sr, QB – Was the catalyst for a Northmont (10-2) offense that amassed more than 4,400 yards and averaged 32.9 points per contest. Johnson threw for 2,589 with 29 touchdown tosses and two rushing scores on his way to Division I OPSWA Special Mention All-Ohio and GWOC National West OPOY acclaim.

Northmont QB Miles Johnson (photo courtesy of ScoutingOhio.com)

Sincere Wells, Xenia, Sr, RB – Helped lead the Buccaneers to their first outright league title (GWOC American South) since 1969. Wells set the single season school record with 20 rushing touchdowns to go along with his 1,301 yards rushing (second straight year of 1,300+ yards rushing). He ran for 2,745 yards and 37 touchdowns in a Xenia uniform.

Mason Whiteman, Madison Senior, Sr, QB/DB – Stats don’t tell the story of Whiteman’s value on both sides of the ball. The four-year starter was named Division V OPSWA Special Mention All-Ohio and the SWBL Buckeye OPOY. The Mohawks went 22-2 in his last 24 starts under center. Defensively, Whiteman finishes his career with 11 interceptions, 352 interception return yards and four pick sixes.

Dayton Defensive Player of the Year finalists
Trey Baker, Fairmont, Jr, LB – The lone junior finalist had quite a year after tallying 94 total tackles with two sacks and two interceptions on his way to Division I OPSWA Second Team All-Ohio and GWOC National East Co-DPOY acclaim.

Shane Cokes, Chaminade Julienne, Sr, DE – A disruptive force for Chaminade Julienne (7-4), Cokes recorded 70 total tackles, eight-and-a-half sacks and 17 tackles for losses. Cokes garnered Division III OPSWA First Team All-Ohio and GCL North Co-DPOY acclaim for his effort. He has offers from Kent State, Eastern Kentucky, Holy Cross, Cornell, Lehigh, Dartmouth, Yale, Fordham and Georgetown.

Moses Douglass, Springfield, Sr, DB – The leader of a Springfield (9-3) defense that gave 17 points or fewer, 10 times in 12 games. He was in on 98 total tackles with a pair of forced fumbles and an interception on his way to Division I OPSWA First Team All-Ohio and GWOC National East Co-DPOY (along with Baker) accolades. Douglass has signed with and is enrolled at Kentucky.

Springfield DB Moses Douglass (photo courtesy of ScoutingOhio.com)

Max Evans, Madison Senior, Sr, DL – Anchored a Madison Senior (12-1) defensive line that gave up just 5.7 points per game and had seven shutouts. He was named Division V OPSWA First Team All-Ohio and the SWBL Buckeye DPOY for his work. Evans record 27.5 sacks over his career.

Sam Jackson, Troy, Sr, DE/OLB – Troy (10-2) cut Jackson loose on the outside and he prospered big time. He was in on more than 90 tackles with eight sacks, forced a fumble and recovered two fumbles on his way to being named the OPSWA Ohio Division II DPOY. Jackson also finishes his career with nine interceptions.

Connor Meyer, Alter, Sr, DL – Filled the middle of a Knights defense that held 13 of its 15 opponents to 14 points or less. Meyer was named Division III OPSWA Second Team All-Ohio for the effort.

Gabe Newburg, Northmont, Sr, DL – The Thunderbolts rock of steadiness on defense. Newburg was named Division I OPSWA First Team All-Ohio and has signed with Michigan. He ends his career at Northmont with 18.5 sacks.

Nick Straw, Lebanon, Sr, LB – After missing much of his junior year with an injury, Straw came back in strong fashion. The Lebanon linebacker recorded 166 total tackles, was in on two sacks, forced three fumbles, recovered a fumble and had an interception. He earned Division I OPSWA Special Mention All-Ohio and GWOC National West DPOY acclaim for the work.  Straw has signed with Navy.

Join us as we recognize Team of the Year winners from Dayton, Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky & Indiana, Player of the Year winners and finalists from all of those areas, Mella Window and Carpet Cleaning Player of the Week winners and all members of the 2018 Postseason All-TSF squad as they will be honored at our upcoming TSF Year in Review Show on Monday, February 18th at The Holy Grail – Banks in downtown Cincinnati.

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