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2020 TSF Cincinnati OPOY Finalists

Hamilton RB Keyshawn Stephens (photo by Dan Bieneke/TriStateFootball.com)

There are nine finalists for the 2020 TriState Football Cincinnati Offensive Player of the Year, six of them are seniors, two are juniors and one is a sophomore. Four of the finalists are from the high scoring GCL South including two players from St. Xavier. In the last six seasons, the league has only had one player win the TSF Cincinnati Offensive Player of the Year (Chase Wolf, St. Xavier – 2017).

This is the 14th year for this award, Corey Kiner joins Miyan Williams as the only players to be named as TSF Cincinnati OPOY finalists three years in a row. Liam Clifford becomes the 17th player to be a named a TSF Cincinnati OPOY finalist two years in a row and the first receiver to achieve that honor.

Here are the finalists for the 2020 Cincinnati OPOY:

Zach Branam (La Salle), Sr, QB – Was the catalyst for a La Salle (8-3) program that won its fifth Region 8 title in the last seven years. Branam threw for more than 1,500 yards and ran for more than 1,300 yards for a second straight season. He finished with 1,676 yards through the air, 1,394 yards on the ground and accounted for 35 touchdowns (21 pass, 14 rush). His efforts earned him 2020 OPSWA Ohio Division II Offensive Player of the Year, 2020 OPSWA Division II First Team All-Ohio, OPSWA Division II First Team All-Southwest District (second straight season), Second Team All-TSF and GCL South Tri-Player of the Year honors. Branam finished his Lancers career with 3,212 yards passing, 32 touchdown tosses, 2,791 yards and 33 scores on the ground.

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

Liam Clifford (St. Xavier), Sr, WR – Hauled in 72 receptions, for 1,090 yards and 12 touchdowns for the state champion Bombers. Clifford was honored as the 2020 OPSWA Ohio Division I Co-Offensive Player of the Year, 2020 OPSWA Division I First Team All-Ohio, 2020 OPSWA Division I Southwest District Offensive Player of the Year, OPSWA Division I First Team All-Southwest District (second straight season), First Team All-TSF (second straight season) and GCL South Tri-Player of the Year. The holder of most of the St. Xavier receiving records, Clifford ended his career with 166 receptions for 2,538 yards and 30 touchdown catches. He has signed with Penn State.

Jackson Gifford (Ross), Sr, RB – Was the engine for a Rams offense that averaged 401.9 yards with 56 touchdowns rushing in 2020. Gifford finished with 1,516 yards and 23 touchdowns as Ross (8-2) won its first ever three playoff games and made the Regional Finals for the first time in school history. He was named 2020 OPSWA Ohio Division III Offensive Player of the Year, OPSWA Southwest District Division III Offensive Player of the Year, SWOC Offensive Player of the Year and Second Team All-TSF for his work. Gifford finished his varsity career with 2,892 yards and 42 touchdowns rushing.

CJ Hester (Wyoming), So, RB/LB – Had a breakout season, racking up big numbers for the Cowboys. Hester had 150 carries for 1,060 yards, averaged 7.1 yards per carry, 16 rushing touchdowns, eight receptions for 110 yards and three receiving touchdowns. Defensively, he had 51 total tackles (27 solo, 24 assist) garnering 2020 OPSWA Division IV First Team All-Ohio, OPSWA Southwest District Offensive Player of the Year and Third Team All-TSF acclaim as a sophomore.

Roger Bacon RB Corey Kiner (photo by Dan Bieneke/TriStateFootball.com)

Corey Kiner (Roger Bacon), Sr, RB – Was named 2020 Ohio Mr. Football, making him just the third Cincinnati-area player to win the prestigious award. Kiner will go down as one of the most productive players the Buckeye state has ever seen. This past fall, he ran for 1,866 yards, amassed 2,133 all-purpose yards and 37 touchdowns (35 rush) also earning him 2020 OPSWA Ohio Division V Offensive Player of the Year, OPSWA First Team All-Ohio (second straight season), 2020 OPSWA Southwest District Offensive Player of the Year (second straight season), OPSWA First Team All-Southwest District (four seasons in a row), First Team All-TSF (second straight season) and MVC Scarlet Offensive Player of the Year (second straight season) honors. Kiner, who has signed with LSU finished his career with 124 career touchdowns (3rd most all-time in Ohio), 116 rushing
touchdowns (3rd most all-time in Ohio), 766 points scored (3rd most all-time in Ohio) and 7,150 yards rushing (10th most all-time in Ohio).

Brogan McCaughey (St. Xavier), Jr, QB – Burst onto the scene in a big way, helping the Bombers win their fourth state title in school history. All McCaughey did in the championship game was throw for four scores and run for another, all in the first half. He finished the year with 2,708 yards and 28 touchdowns passing. McCaughey was named 2020 OPSWA Division I First Team All-Ohio and Honorable Mention All-TSF for the effort. He has offers from Akron and Kent State.

Elder WR/RB Drew Ramsey (Photo by Dan Bieneke/TriStateFootball.com)

Drew Ramsey (Elder), JR, RB/WR – The centerpiece of a Panthers offense that averaged 33.1 points per contest. Ramsey racked up 1,565 all-purpose yards (721 rush, 762 rush), had 55 receptions, found the end zone 22 times (14 rush, eight rec) and had 121 yards passing with a touchdown toss. The effort garnered him 2020 OPSWA Division I Second Team All-Ohio (WR), Second Team All-TSF (WR) and GCL South Tri-Player of the Year accolades. Ramsey goes into his senior year with 2,856 all-purpose yards, 1,040 yards rushing, 116 receptions for another 1,395 yards with 18 rushing touchdowns, 13 receiving touchdowns and three touchdown passes. He has offers from Miami (OH) and Toledo.

Keyshawn Stephens (Hamilton), Sr, RB/DB – The four-year starter had a dream senior season. Stephens ran for 1,115 yards, amassed 1,561 all-purpose yards, had 16 touchdowns (13 rush, three rec) with 34 total tackles and an interception on his way to 2020 OPSWA Division I First Team All-Ohio, First Team All-TSF and GMC Offensive Player of the Year honors. He finished his career with a program best 4,740 all-purpose yards, 3,301 yards rushing, 50 receptions 556 receiving yards, 849 total return yards and 42 touchdowns (36 rush, six rec). He has offers from Liberty and Miami (OH).

Kings RB Ty Stylski (photo from kings-football.com)

Ty Stylski (Kings), Sr, RB – Was on his way to a monster senior campaign before injuries slowed him down. In seven games, Stylski ran for 1,033 yards, had 14 receptions for 286 yards and found the end zone on 18 occasions (16 rush, two rec) to garner 2020 OPSWA Division II Second Team All-Ohio, OPSWA Division II First Team All-Southwest District (second straight season), ECC Co-Offensive Player of the Year and Honorable Mention All-TSF acclaim. He finished his career in a Knights uniform with 4,358 all-purpose yards, 2,703 yards rushing, 45 receptions for 682 yards and 46 touchdowns (42 rush, three rec, one KR).

 

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