Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

Evan Maddox made headlines throughout the football season. He made some more in the postseason.

The Fairland Dragons 5-foot-10, 175-pound senior led the local players honored on the Associated Press Division V All-Ohio football team announced Tuesday.

Maddox was named to the third team as a running back. He ran 175 times for 1,346 yards — a 7.7 yards per carry average — and scored 17 touchdowns. He also had 34 receptions for 466 yards.

Named to the special mention list were Ironton juniors Isaac Sherman and Tristan Cox, Fairland senior Kyle Sowards and juniors Chance Short and Tyler Campbell, Chesapeake senior Chad Meadows and South Point seniors Audric Harlow and Tyler Branch.

Coldwater quarterback Brody Hoying was the Offensive Player of the Year. Bishop Hartley defensive back Alonzo Saxton — who has committed to Duke — was named the top defensive player.

Sherman — a 6-5, 290-pound tackle — improved all season and became one of the area’s best linemen on both sides of the ball.

Leading Ironton’s offense was the 6-foot, 180-pound Cox who had more than 1,000 yards of total offense. He was 65-of-146 passing for 640 yards and five touchdowns while running 105 times for 598 yards — a 5.7 yards per carry average — and led the team with nine touchdowns.

The 6-2, 175-pound Short was 195-of-286 for 2,891 yards and 27 touchdowns with eight interceptions.

Sowards had 52 catches for 1,155 yards. The 6-1, 185-pound wide receiver had 12 TD grabs.

The 6-4, 265-pound Campbell was the Dragons’ best lineman on both sides of the ball.

The 5-10, 175-pound Harlow played both tight end and linebacker. Leading the team in tackles was the 6-foot, 200-pound Branch at linebacker.

Chesapeake’s 6-3, 220-pound Meadows led the tam in rushing and tackles as a linebacker. He ran for 808 yards and 10 touchdowns and had 110 tackles on defense.