Defense is always the difference, even with the All-Ohio team.

Two local players were honored as top defensive selections as 11 area players were honored as members of the Associated Press Div. V and VI football teams.

Symmes Valley Vikings’ senior defensive tackle Kyle Bowen was a first team selection in Div. VI and Coal Grove Hornets senior linebacker Frank Delawder was a second team pick in Div. V.

Named to the special mention list were Chesapeake Panthers senior running back Gabriel Freyre, Vikings’ senior defensive backs Justin Payne and Tyler Easthom, junior linebacker Hunter Boggs and junior running back Evan Herrell, and Coal Grove senior running back Oakie Haynes, senior quarterback Evan Ferguson, senior defensive end Aaron Dickess and senior center Travis Jackson.

The 5-foot-9, 215-pound Bowen was the Southeast District defensive Player of the Year and the Southern Ohio Coference Lineman of the Year. He had 113 tackles, seven sacks and 10 tackles for a loss.

The 6-1, 230-pound Delawder was an All-Ohio special mention pick last year. Offensively, Delawder ran 115 times for 608 yards and seven touchdowns as the Hornets won a third straight Ohio Valley Conference title and qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 1996.

Haynes (6-1, 170) led the offense with 955 yards rushing and caught nine passes for 159 yards. He had 21 touchdowns including 18 rushing.

The 6-1, 185-pound Ferguson completed 52-of-85 passes for 974 yards and eight TDs. He also played safety.

Dickess (5-10, 180) has been a three-year starter at defensive end and tight end. Jackson (6-1, 240) is a two-year starter at center.

Herrell (5-10, 160) ran 75 times for 692 yards — a 9.2 average — and 10 scores to lead a backfield that utilized five different backs.

The Vikings defense was the key to an 8-2 season and postseason playoff berth.

Leading the defense were Boggs (6-4, 200) at linebacker with Payne (5-10, 175) and Easthom (5-10, 165) anchoring the secondary.

Freyre was the main weapon for the Panthers. Freyre (5-9, 165) ran 131 times for 1,083 yards and 12 touchdowns in nine games.