The best in the area were among the best in the state.

Coal Grove senior running back Justin Hyland and Symmes Valley's Derek Carpenter and Matt Owens were named to the Associated Press All-Ohio first team Wednesday.

Hyland, who ran for 2,000 yards last season as a junior, rushed 366 times for 2,064 yards and scored 31 touchdowns this season.

Overall, the 6-foot, 205-pound Hyland scored 222 points and was named the Southeast district co-Offensive Player of the Year along with Adena running back Colton Coy.

Carpenter and Owens put up big numbers on different sides of the football.

Carpenter, a 5-9, 170-pound senior, ran 148 times for 1,142 yards and scored 15 touchdowns. He caught 10 passes for 101 yards and was the Southeast district co-Offensive Player of the Year with Arthur Henderson of Portsmouth East.

The 5-10, 185-pound Owens had 171 tackles from his linebacker spot. The Vikings senior standout caused six fumbles, had six quarterback sacks, an interception and nine passes broken up.

Owens was the Southeast district Defensive Player of the Year.

Wheelersburg running back Brandon Jackson was a first team selection in Division V and teammate Brandon White was a second team choice as a defensive back.

Several area players were honored by the Associated Press.

In Division V, the Chesapeake Panthers landed four players as quarterback Caleb McComas, wide receiver Jeffrey Thornburg and linemen Andrew Ittig and Erik McWhorter were named special mention.

Coal Grove senior linemen Nick Bazell and Jared Dever were selected All-Ohio special mention.

Green senior quarterback Derek Lewis, fullback Mark Castro, linebacker Andy Avery and wide receiver Dustin Williams were special mention All-Ohio in Division VI.

The Vikings had defensive back Seth Saunders, tight end and kicker Kyle Meadows, and linemen Alex Burnett and Nathan Colegrove on the All-Ohio honorable mention list.

A complete list is on Page 9.