LUCAS — He shared a backfield with the greatest running back in Lucas history only to become the greatest running back in Lucas history.
Jeb Grover’s illustrious football career has come full circle.
The Richland Source Offensive Player of the Year, Grover was a starting wingback as a freshman in 2015. He was lined up opposite Mason Galco, who rushed for 2,031 yards as the Cubs reached the regional championship game.
Galco graduated in the spring of 2016 after rushing for 5,224 career yards and Grover was handed the keys to the offense the following season. He ran for more than 1,900 yards as a sophomore and almost 1,500 yards as a junior before exploding for 2,525 yards and 35 touchdowns this fall, piloting the Cubs to another regional runner-up finish.
With 6,332 career rushing yards, Grover ranks 20th on the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s unofficial all-time list.
“Mason was probably one of the hardest runners I’ve ever seen. He didn’t have blazing speed but it took at least three or four of the other team to bring him down,” Grover said earlier this season. “Just to watch him and play with him, I definitely learned a lot. He was one of the great athletes to come through Lucas.
“I’m just really blessed and super happy with the way my career has gone, but I can’t take all the credit. I’ve had great linemen in front of me my entire career.”
The 5-foot-10, 193-pound Grover was rewarded for his efforts with a spot on the All-Ohio first team. As far as Lucas coach Scott Spitler is concerned, all the accolades are well deserved.
“Just look at some of the names he ranks up there with in the state of Ohio,” Spitler said. “If you get to know the person, you would understand why he is that successful. When he steps inside the lines, whether it be on the football field or the basketball court or inside the (baseball) diamond, he’s there to win and he’s there to compete. That’s what drives him.”
Grover is the centerpiece of a wildly prolific All-Richland Source offense.
Quarterback
Logan Pharmer, Mapleton: The undersized (5-9, 165) senior was selected Ohio’s Division VII Offensive Player of the Year. A four-year starter, Pharmer threw for 3,058 yards and 36 touchdowns as the Mounties reached the second round of the Division VII playoffs.
Running Back
Trevon Trammell, Clear Fork: A senior, Trammell was a big reason why the Colts rumbled to a second consecutive undefeated regular season and reached the regional championship game. Trammell rushed for 1,051 yards and 15 touchdowns during the regular season. He was an All-Ohio special mention selection in Division IV.
Kade Collins, Plymouth: A senior, Collins rushed for 1,731 yards and 21 touchdowns on 243 carries as the Big Red finished 4-6. Collins was a Northwest District first team pick and an All-Ohio special mention selection.
Wide Receiver
Uriah Schwemley, Shelby: The defending Division II state high jump champ, Schwemley caught 33 passes for 617 yards and 10 touchdowns despite missing time because of injury. The senior was a Northwest District first team pick in Division III and an All-Ohio special mention selection.
Isaiah Alsip, Galion: A junior, Alsip ranked second in the area in both receptions (56) and receiving yards (1,012) and tied for second in the area with 11 touchdown catches. Alsip was a Northwest District first team pick and a Division IV All-Ohio special mention selection.
Ethan Hartley, Mapleton: All-Richland Source quarterback Logan Pharmer’s favorite target, Hartley led the area with 70 catches for 1,136 yards and 16 touchdowns. The 5-foot-9, 180 pound sophomore joined Pharmer on the All-Ohio first team in Division VII.
Athlete
Angelo Grose, Mansfield Senior: A junior, Grose is drawing attention from Big Ten schools for a reason. He started the season at quarterback, completing 37 of 73 passes for 434 yards and five touchdowns. He rushed for 538 yards and five touchdowns on 85 carries, caught 26 passes for 414 yards and five touchdowns and returned a kickoff and a punt for a touchdown.
Offensive Line
Hunter Tollison, Clear Fork: A senior, the 6-foot-2, 295-pound Tollison was a two-way lineman and the Northwest District Lineman of the Year in Division IV. Tollison helped clear the way for the most balanced offense in the area. Clear Fork rushed for 2,274 yards and passed for 2,426 yards. Tollison was an All-Ohio first team pick.
Nick Amstutz, Shelby: One of the few holdovers from last year’s Division IV state semifinal team, Amstutz was a Northwest District first team pick and an All-Ohio special mention selection.
Anthony Hawkins, Mansfield Senior: Another member of Mansfield Senior’s talented junior class, the 6-foot-2, 255 pound Hawkins was a two-way standout. He was an Ohio Cardinal Conference first team selection, a Northwest District first team pick in Division III and an All-Ohio special mention selection.
Rylan Wallace, Lucas: A 6-foot, 207-pound senior, Wallace helped plow the road for the most prolific running back in school history. Wallace was a Northwest District first team pick and an All-Ohio special mention selection in Division VII.
Preston Alterio, Lexington: an undersized senior center (5-9, 205) Alterio cleared the way for Cade Stover and Kaydan Berry, who combined for more than 2,000 yards on the ground. Alterio was an Ohio Cardinal Conference honorable mention selection.
Kicker
Gabe Blauser, Clear Fork: A junior, Blauser converted on 56 of 65 PAT attempts and booted a pair of field goals. His 27 yard field goal with 3:27 remaining in the fourth quarter lifted the Colts to a 16-14 win over Marion Pleasant in Week 9. Blauser was a Northwest District second team pick in Division IV.
Kick Returner
Garrett Smith, Hillsdale: The shifty senior was a big reason why the Falcons won three playoff games the past two years. In addition to his kickoff return responsibilities, Smith rushed for a team-best 1,210 yards and 11 touchdowns on 175 carries.
