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Clifford, Kuwatch, Specht honored in Division I

St, Xavier WR Liam Clifford (photo by Dan Bieneke/TriStateFootball.com)

St. Xavier (10-2) receiver Liam Clifford ended a storied career with 72 receptions, for 1,090 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2020. That performance earned the Penn State commit Southwest District Offensive Player of the Year accolades. “I’ve never coached a more selfless individual with more talent. Liam is the best receiver I’ve had a chance to coach and only Anthony Gonzalez (Cleveland St. Ignatius, 2001) compares. In my opinion he is the best player in the state of Ohio,” Bombers head coach Steve Specht stated.

Lakota West (8-1) linebacker Jackson Kuwatch was named the Southwest District Defensive Player of the Year. Kuwatch was the leader of a Firebirds defense that allowed just 51 points in nine games, with four shutouts. No one scored more than 14 points on them. Lakota West placed five players on the First Team defense.

Specht was named the Southwest District Coach of the Year after leading St. Xavier to its fourth state title (all under Specht) in his 17th season as head coach.

The 2020 Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association Division I All-Southwest District football teams, as selected by a media panel from the district:

DIVISION I

First Team Offense
Backfield: Mekhi Lynn, Cincinnati Princeton, 6-2, 180, jr., QB; Jaydan Mayes, Fairfield, 5-11, 175, sr., RB; Brogan McCaughey, Cincinnati St. Xavier, 6-1, 185, sr., QB; Cade Rice, Clayton Northmont, 6-3, 215, sr., QB; Te’Sean Smoot, Springfield, 6-0, 184, jr., QB; Keyshawn Stephens, Hamilton, 6-0, 200, sr., RB.
Receivers: Markus Allen, Clayton Northmont, 6-3, 210, sr., WR; Anthony Brown, Springfield, 5-10, 165, so., WR; Titan Case, Springboro, 6-0, 185, sr., WR; Liam Clifford, Cincinnati St. Xavier, 6-2, 190, sr., WR; Josh Kattus, Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller, 6-4, 245, jr., TE; Drew Ramsey, Cincinnati Elder, 6-1, 200, jr., WR.
Linemen: Landon Fickell, Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller, 6-5 270, sr.;  Mao Glynn, Cincinnati Walnut Hills, 6-3, 285, sr.; Brian Parker, Cincinnati St. Xavier, 6-5, 275, jr.; Paul Rodriguez, Mason, 6-5, 305, sr.; Tegra Tshabola, West Chester Lakota West, 6-6, 300, jr.; Aamil Wagner, Huber Heights Wayne, 6-7, 260, jr.
Kicker: Matt Howard, West Chester Lakota West, 5-11, 175, sr.

First Team Defense

Linemen: Giovanni Albanese, Cincinnati St. Xavier, 6-0, 280, Sr.; Kris Artis, Centerville, 6-3, 230, sr.; Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati Colerain, 6-2, 325, sr.; Eli Newburg, Clayton Northmont, 6-2, 220, sr.; Brandon Smith, Fairfield, 6-1, 265, sr.; Aneesh Vyas, West Chester Lakota West, 6-2, 270, sr.
Linebackers: Jon Bruder, Centerville, 5-10, 215, sr.; Matthew Devine, Cincinnati St. Xavier, 6-0, 220, sr.; Cameron Junior, Middletown, 6-1, 210, sr.; Jackson Kuwatch, West Chester Lakota West, 6-4, 220, sr.; Aden Miller, West Chester Lakota West, 5-11, 210, jr.; Clayton Philip Quansah, Northmont, 5-10, 222, sr.
Secondary: Alex Afari, West Chester Lakota West, 6-3, 200, jr.; Leroy Bowers, Cincinnati Princeton, 6-2, 200, sr.; Jyaire Brown, West Chester Lakota West, 6-0, 175, jr.; Delian Bradley, Springfield, 6-0, 185, jr.; Gabe Dubois, Cincinnati St. Xavier, 5-9, 170, sr.; Rod Moore, Clayton Northmont, 6-0, 185, sr.
Punter: Matthew Dapore, Springboro, 5-11, 180, sr.

Offensive player of the year: Liam Clifford, Cincinnati St. Xavier
Defensive player of the year: Jackson Kuwatch, West Chester Lakota West
Coach of the year: Steve Specht, Cincinnati St. Xavier

Second Team Offense
Backfield: Josh Bryant, Middletown, 5-9, 195, sr., RB; Cam Fancher, Huber Heights Wayne, 6-2, 190, sr., QB; Christian Davis, Miamisburg, 6-0, 178, so., RB; Keith Farr, Lebanon, 6-1, 175, sr., RB; Chase Harrison, Centerville, 6-3, 210, jr., QB; Charles Kellom, Cincinnati St. Xavier, 6-0, 190, jr., RB.
Receivers: Rodney Harris II, Princeton, 6-3, 195, jr.; Lamont Jackson, Princeton, 6-3, 182, sr.; Blake Lamb, Lebanon, 6-3, 200, sr.; Scott Nieman, Elder, 6-6, 215, sr.; Jalen Patterson, St. Xavier, 6-10, 190, sr.; Cam Smith, Centerville, 6-3, 195, jr.
Linemen: Rod Green, Springfield, 6-5, 305, sr.; Jacob Harmon, Hamilton, 6-0, 285, sr.; Ryan Iiams, Springboro, 6-3, 280, sr.; Augie Groh, Fairfield, 6-5, 275, jr.; Ethan Tyla, Fairfield, 6-4, 275, sr.; Eric West, Lebanon, 6-1, 240, sr.
Kicker: Mason Rohmiller, Cincinnati St. Xavier, 6-1, 155, jr.

Second Team Defense

Linemen:
Jokell Brown, Springfield, 6-0, 283, jr.; Wyatt Bullock, Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller, 6-2, 270, sr.; Tank Gant, Kettering Fairmont, 6-3, 215, jr.; Tywan January, Springfield, 5-1, 280, jr.; Nate Pabst, Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller, 6-5, 255, sr.; Xavier Voung, Clayton Northmont, 6-3, 227, jr.
Linebackers: Lavert Jarmon, Cincinnati Colerain, 5-10, 180, jr.; Xander Kendall, Cincinnati Colerain, 6-0, 220, sr.; Antonio O’Berry, Huber Heights Wayne, 6-4, 210, sr.; Jack Roncagli, Kettering Fairmont, 5-10, 190, sr.; Adam Trick, Huber Heights Wayne, 6-4, 220, jr.; Kameron Vargas, West Chester Lakota West, 6-1, 215, sr.
Secondary: Kendel Dolby, Springfield, 5-11, 174, sr.; Corwyn Hurt, Miamisburg, 5-11, 177, jr.; Jax Hutchinson, Mason, 6-1, 198, sr.; Josh Thornhill, Liberty Twp. Lakota East, 5-11, 175, sr.; Malik Verdon, Hamilton, 6-5, 190, sr.; Caleb Young, Kettering Fairmont, 5-11, 165, sr.
Punter: Drew Petersen, Cincinnati Walnut Hills, 6-3, 215, sr.

Honorable Mention
Christian Ochs, Springfield; Elijah Brown, De’Andre Ham, Jaden Hurd, Jordan Ward, Huber Heights Wayne; Joe Darrah, Anthony Johnston, Allan Hopkins, Beavercreek; Brian Kenrick, Kettering Fairmont; Michael Ethridge, Springboro; Jacob Tueimeh, Cincinnati Sycamore; MJ Flowers, Freddie Johnson, Isaiah Myers, Cincinnati Colerain; Logan Hehman, Devin Holt, Oak Hills; Mitch Bolden, Adrian Davis, Lakota West; TJ Kathman, Lakota East; Kaleb Johnson, Hamilton; TJ Rotello, Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller.

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