2024 TSF Cincinnati OPOY Finalists

Three of Hamilton County’s top four all-time leaders passing touchdowns highlight the marquee of finalists for the 2024 TriState Football Cincinnati Offensive Player of the Year. Seven nominees are seniors accompanied by one junior and one sophomore. Ironically, both underclassmen are two of Ohio’s top baseball prospects in their respective classes. The nominees include four quarterbacks, four running backs and one receiver.

This is the 18th year of this award and second nomination for Justice Burnam. He becomes the 14th quarterback and 25th nominee overall to accomplish the feat. Devlan Daniel is just the fourth sophomore to be nominated joining Miyan Williams (Winton Woods – 2017), Corey Kiner (Roger Bacon – 2018) and C.J. Hester (Wyoming – 2020). Anderson and Moeller have had finalists for this honor in each of the last four seasons.

The members of the All-TSF Teams, the TSF Teams of the Year, Players of the Year and finalists from Indiana, Dayton, Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati as well as the Mella Windows Players of the Week will be recognized at the TriState Football Year In Review Awards Show on Monday, February 17th, 2025 at the Holy Grail-Banks – RSVP 2024 TSF Year In Review Show

Here is a look at the 2024 TSF Cincinnati OPOY Finalists.

Justice Burnam, Anderson, Sr, QB – Was named OPSMA Division II Ohio Co-Offensive Player of the Year, OPSMA Division II First Team All-Ohio (Second Team All-Ohio in 2023), OPSMA Division II Southwest District Offensive Player of the Year, ECC Offensive Player of the Year, Third Team All-TSF (for a second straight year) and TSF Cincinnati Offensive Player of the Year Finalist (for a second straight year). The maestro of the Anderson offense, Burnam led the Raptors to a 15-1 record and state runner-up finish. He threw for 4,134 yards, ran for 876 yards and accounted for 58 touchdowns (42 pass, 16 rush). Burnam finished his career with 8,474 yards passing, 1,507 yards rushing, 85 passing touchdowns and 23 scores on the ground. His 85 touchdown passes are fourth most by a quarterback in Hamilton County history (1. Bryan Cupito, McNicholas – 92; 2. Jahmier Spain, Mount Healthy – 87; 3. Matt Ponatoski, Moeller – 86).

Devlan Daniel, Indian Hill, So, RB – Was named OPSMA Division IV First Team All-Ohio, OPSMA Division IV Southwest District Offensive Player of the Year and First Team All-TSF. A special talent, Daniel was incredibly productive in all phases of the game. He ran for 2,260 yards, with 35 touchdowns (34 rush, one PR), amassed 2,573 all-purpose yards and threw for 162 yards with a pair of scoring tosses. On defense, Daniel was in on 42 tackles, two sacks, seven tackles for losses, four pass breakups and three takeaways (one FR, two INTs). He had five games of 200-plus yards and at least two touchdowns rushing. Seven times Daniel ran for three scores or more. He heads into his junior campaign with 3,728 yards and 50 touchdowns rushing.

Indian Hill RB Devlan Daniel (photo By: Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

Gracen Goldsmith, Hamilton, Sr, RB – Was named OPSMA Division I Second Team All-Ohio and Honorable Mention All-TSF. A move from being the Big Blue’s top linebacker in 2023 to running back in 2024 paid off for Goldsmith who led the GMC with 1,705 yards and 25 touchdowns. Eight times in Hamilton’s last nine contests he ran for 150 yards or more with 22 trips to the end zone.

Hamilton RB Gracen Goldsmith (photo by: Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

Trace Jallick, Anderson, Sr, WR – Was named OPSMA Division II First Team All-Ohio and First Team All-TSF. Jallick reeled in 107 receptions (tied for 18th most in a single season in Ohio history) for 1,932 yards (fourth most in a single season in Ohio history) with 20 touchdown catches for the state runner-up Raptors. He had nine games with eight receptions or more, 11 games of 100-plus yards receiving and at least one touchdown catch in the first 13 games of the season. Jallick’s 256 receptions are 11th most in Ohio history and his 3,615 yards receiving are 12th most in Ohio history. Jallick also ended his career with 33 touchdown receptions and 3,899 all-purpose yards.

Anderson WR Trace Jallick (photo by: Dan Beineke/TriStateFootball.com)

Cole Koops, Harrison, Sr, RB – Was named OPSMA Division II Second Team All-Ohio, SWOC Co-Offensive Player of the Year and Third Team All-TSF. Koops is a powerful runner who led the SWOC with 1,883 yards and 19 touchdowns rushing. He added another 152 yards on 10 receptions and a touchdown catch. Koops ran for more than 100 yards 11 times in 13 games as Harrison went 10-3. Eight times he ran for two touchdowns (never more). He ends his career with 3,812 yards rushing, 18 receptions for 215 yards and 44 trips to the end zone (41 rush, three rec).

Harrison RB Cole Koops (photo by: Sandy Mahoney / X: @InMotionBySandy)

Matt Ponatoski, Moeller, Jr, QB – Was named the 38th Ohio Mr. Football, OPSMA Division I Ohio Offensive Player of the Year, OPSMA Division I First Team All-Ohio, OPSMA Division I Southwest District Offensive Player of the Year, GCL South Offensive Player of the Year and First Team All-TSF. It was a magical season for Ponatoski who guided Moeller to a 14-2 mark and a state runner-up finish. He threw for 4,187 and had 57 touchdown passes (tied for 16th most in a single season, in Ohio history) with only three interceptions. Twelve times he threw at least three touchdowns in a contest. Ponatoski heads into his final campaign with 7,614 yards and 86 touchdowns passing. His 86 touchdown passes are third most by a quarterback in Hamilton County history (1. Bryan Cupito, McNicholas – 92; 2. Jahmier Spain, Mount Healthy – 87; 3. Matt Ponatoski, Moeller – 86; Justice Burnam, Anderson – 85). Ponatoski’s offers include Texas A&M, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt, Duke, Purdue, Maryland, Cincinnati, Kentucky, Louisville, Kent State and Miami (OH).

Moeller QB Matt Ponatoski (photo by: Sandy Mahoney/X: @InMotionBySandy)

Demico Harris, St. Bernard-Elmwood Place, Sr, RB – Was named OPSMA Division VI First Team All-Ohio, OPSMA Division VI Southwest District Offensive Player of the Year and Second Team All-TSF (ATH). Harris was the poster boy for a tough-minded and gritty Titans team that won a school record 10 games and made it to the regional semifinals for the first time in program history. He ran for MVC bests of 1,884 yards and 27 rushing touchdowns. On defense, Harris recorded 137 tackles, with six-and-a-half sacks, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a scoop-and-score. He ran for more than 100 yards 11 times in 12 contests, had more than 160 yards rushing on seven occasions and three touchdowns or more on the ground seven times. Harris finished his career with 5,066 yards rushing, 5,125 all-purpose yards, 58 touchdowns (56 rush), 373 tackles (202 solo), 19.0 sacks, 10 forced fumbles and eight fumble recoveries.

St. Bernard-Elmwood Place RB/LB Demico Harris (photo courtesy of SB-EP Athletics)

Jahmeir Spain, Mount Healthy, Sr, QB – Was named OPSMA Division II First Team All-Ohio, SWOC Co-Offensive Player of the Year and Honorable Mention All-TSF. The silky smooth gunslinger lit it up as the Owls went 10-3. Spain threw for 3,646 yards with 40 touchdown tosses, 200 yards rushing and six scores on the ground. He had 11 games with 200 yards or more through the air and his eight touchdown passes against Ross were just two away from tying the state record for a single game. His 87 touchdown passes are second most by a quarterback in Hamilton County history (1. Bryan Cupito, McNicholas – 92; 2. Jahmier Spain, Mount Healthy – 87; 3. Matt Ponatoski, Moeller – 86; Justice Burnam, Anderson – 85).

Mount HealthyQB Jahmeir Spain (photo from X: @jahmeirspain7)

Sam Wiles, Lakota West, Sr, QB – Was named OPSMA Division I First Team All-Ohio, GMC Offensive Player of the Year and Honorable Mention All-TSF. A true winner, Wiles went 22-3 as the Firebirds starting quarterback. A dual-threat assassin, Wiles threw for 1,438 yards, ran for 1,231 yards and accounted for 32 touchdowns (17 pass, 15 rush). He became the first quarterback in the GMC to throw for more than 1,400 yards and run for more than 1,200 yards since Tyrell Gilbert (Princeton) did it in 2013. Wiles also ran for 125 yards or more six times and had at least one rushing and one passing touchdown on eight occasions. He accounted for 50 touchdowns in his career (29 pass, 21 rush).

Lakota West QB Sam Wiles (courtesy of: ScoutingOhio.com)

Past TSF Cincinnati OPOY finalists (player of the year in bold):
2023
Brodey Berg (Anderson), Luke Dunn (Withrow), Justice Burnam (Anderson), Talon Fisher (Fairfield), Jayel Harris (Purcell Marian), Jordan Marshall (Moeller), J.J. Miller (Williamsburg), Armoud Seals (Taft) and Nathan Webster (Milford).
2022
Mitch Bolden (Lakota West), Trey Cornist (Winton Woods), Talon Fisher (Fairfield), CJ Hester (Wyoming), Will Kocher (Kings), Jordan Marshall (Moeller), Michael Mussari (Kings), Drew Novak (Western Brown) and Griffin Scalf (Anderson).
2021
Joey Faulkner (Anderson), CJ Hester (Wyoming), William Ingle (Sycamore), Will Kocher (Kings), Jordan Marshall (Moeller), Brogan McCaughey (St. Xavier), Drew Novak (Western Brown), Drew Ramsey (Elder) and TyRek Spikes (Winton Woods).
2020
Zach Branam (La Salle), Liam Clifford (St. Xavier), Jackson Gifford (Ross), CJ Hester (Wyoming) Corey Kiner (Roger Bacon), Brogan McCaughey (St. Xavier), Drew Ramsey (Elder), Keyshawn Stephens (Hamilton) and Ty Stylski (Kings).
2019
Liam Clifford (St. Xavier), Cole Fisher (CHCA), Corey Kiner (Roger Bacon), Connor Kinnett (Harrison), Matthew Luebbe (Elder), JuTahn McClain (Fairfield), Cam Porter (La Salle), Evan Prater (Wyoming) and Miyan Williams (Winton Woods).
2018
Michael Bittner (Elder), Zeke Correll (Anderson), Cameron Kells (Milford), Corey Kiner (Roger Bacon), JuTahn McClain (Fairfield), Evan Prater (Wyoming), Deante Smith-Moore (Colerain) and Miyan Williams (Winton Woods).
2017
Josh Anderson (New Richmond); Xavier Johnson (Summit Country Day), Kenny Mayberry (Winton Woods), Pierson Rogers (Wyoming), Matt Sora (Mason), Jay Volpenhein (Anderson), Miyan Williams (Winton Woods) and Chase Wolf (St. Xavier).
2016
Reed Aichholz (Indian Hill), Ra’Von Bonner (Sycamore), Sean Clifford (St. Xavier), Kesean Gamble (CHCA), Andrew Marty (Wyoming), Christian Turner (La Salle), Jay Volpenhein (Anderson) and Jarell White (La Salle).
2015
Reed Aichholz (Indian Hill), Deshaunte Jones (Colerain), Jeremy Larkin (LaSalle), David Montgomery (Mount Healthy), Peyton Ramsey (Elder), Johnny Noyen (CHCA) and Luke Waddell (Loveland).
2014
Tyler Anderson (New Richmond), DeAndre Barnett (Kings), Dashaunte Jones (Colerain), Jeremy Larkin (LaSalle), David Montgomery (Mount Healthy), Peyton Ramsey (Elder) and Maurice Thomas (Talawanda).
2013
Mikel Horton (Lakota West), Gus Ragland (Moeller), Nate Slagel (Loveland), DeTuan Smith-Moore (Colerain), Devyn Wood (Western Brown) and Antonio Woods (Summit Country Day)
2012
Tyree Elliott (Mount Healthy), Austin Ernst (McNicholas), Connor Jansen (Turpin), Alfred Ramsby (Colerain), Chris Schroer (Elder), Greg Simpson (Sycamore) and Keith Watkins (Moeller).
2011
Kenny Davis (Walnut Hills), Conor Hundley (St. Xavier), Aaron Kemper (Winton Woods), Monty Madaris (Moeller), Jalin Marshall (Middletown), Isaac Rupe (Madeira) and Jamire Westbrook (Kings).
2010
Dakota Dartis (North College Hill), Aaron Kemper (Winton Woods), Andrew Kummer (La Salle), Jalin Marshall (Middletown), Nick Lawley (CHCA), Jamire Westbrook (Kings) and Tyler Williams (Colerain).
2009
Dominique Brown (Winton Woods), Mark Miller (Elder), Kyle Seyfried (Wyoming), Kyle Slater (Anderson), Jordan Thompson (Lakota West) and Caleb Watkins (Middletown).
2008
Bo Cordell (Indian Hill), Shawn Davis (Western Brown), Bud Golden (Sycamore), Everett Horne (North College Hill), Mark Miller (Elder) and Kyle Slater (Anderson).
2007
Bo Cordell (Indian Hill), Ryan Martin (Turpin), Danny Milligan (St. Xavier), Dominique Sherrer (Colerain) and Elijah Storey (Anderson).

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