Meet our football players of the year
The staff of the Euclid Observer is pleased to introduce its local football Players of the Year for 2010 — one outstanding athlete from the Euclid Panther squad and one from the Villa Angela-St. Joseph Vikings’ team. The selections were made in consultation with the schools’ head coaches, Tom Gibbons at Euclid and John Storey at VASJ.
In addition, we are honoring the top offensive and defensive standouts on each team, as well as other local players deserving of All-Star recognition. Finally, our 2010 list includes a special salute to Jim Grinstead, who has been tracking football statistics for the Panthers for the past 48 years. Now, that’s real dedication!
Our Euclid Panther Player of the Year is Chuck Bradford, who handled quarterback and running back duties, as well as playing wide receiver in some formations.
“Chuck did a lot of things for us,” says third-year Euclid Coach Tom Gibbons. “He is a very versatile athlete who did just about everything but drive the bus. And he met almost every challenge that he faced.”
A 6-foot, 160-pound senior, Bradford amassed 559 yards and 11 touchdowns rushing—averaging 4.1 yards per carry—and passed for 523 yards and two touchdowns through the air. He completed 33 of 74 attempts and averaged 15.8 yards per completion.
Now that Euclid’s football season is over, he’ll be making the transition to basketball as a guard for the Panther cagers. He is the lone returning starter on Coach Andy Suttell’s squad, which begins its season Dec. 3 with a road game at Lorain. (The next night, Dec.4, the Panthers will host VASJ in their home opener.)
The VASJ Player of the Year is Clinton James, who starred at tailback and defensive back for the Vikings.
“Clinton is an outstanding kid who was one of our two-way players,” says Vikings’ Coach John Storey. “He has great speed and really developed as a player during the course of the season.”
James accounted for 11 touchdowns for the Vikings—eight rushing, two on kick returns, and one passing. He also scored twice on conversion runs, contributing a total of 70 points to the St. Joe cause.
A 5-10, 164-pound senior, who also plays basketball and runs track, James chalked up 804 yards rushing, averaging 4.9 yards per carry. He returned nine kickoffs, averaging 36.2 yards per return. In the Vikings’ final game against Elyria Catholic, he also had an 85-yard kick return touchdown that was nullified by a holding penalty.
The Observer’s other selections for its 2010 Football All-Star team are:
Offensive Players of the Year — EUCLID: Javon Johnson, 5-8, 160-pound senior wide receiver. Had 20 catches for 334 yards (16.7 average) and one touchdown. VASJ: Darryl Jones, 6-2, 200-pound senior quarterback. Completed 52 of 159 passing attempts, averaging 14.8 yards per completion, for a total of 770 passing yards and seven TDs. Rushed for 481 yards (5.2 average) and three touchdowns. Also returned 11 punts for 173 yards and one TD.
Defensive Players of the Year — EUCLID: Jamaal Henry, 5-9, 190-pound senior defensive end. Had 51 “first hits,” 13 tackles for loss (including seven sacks), and 20 assists on tackles. VASJ: Ryan Gallagher, 5-10, 160-pound junior linebacker. Recorded 91 tackles for the Vikings and picked off four interceptions.
Also chosen for Observer All-Star honors were the following players:
EUCLID: De’Andre Rollins, 6-0, 210-pound junior running back. Had 42 carries for 345 yards (8.2 average) and one touchdown. Demetrius Ivory, 5-9, 188-pound senior fullback. Rushed 42 times for 239 yards (5.7 average) and four TDs. Benny Walker, 5-11, 175-pound junior quarterback. Completed 32 of 66 pass attempts (48.5 percent) for 485 yards (15.2 average) and one TD. John Jackson, 5-8, 150-pound senior wide receiver. Had 12 catches for 220 yards (18.3 average). Josh Kitchen, 5-8, 155-pound senior defensive back. Led the Panthers with four interceptions.
VASJ: Tim Harrison, 5-8, 205-pound junior running back. Gained 369 yards on 52 carries (7.1 average) and scored five touchdowns. Devon Bolden, 5-6, 140-pound sophomore running back. Rushed 54 times for 327 yards (6.1 average) and three TDs. Kawmae Sawyer, 5-11, 180-pound senior wide receiver. Caught 31 passes for 360 yards (11.6 average) and one TD. Kevin Koehl, 6-3, 230-pound senior offensive and defensive tackle. Team captain. Mike Brately, 6-3, 195-pound senior tight end and defensive end.
Statistician of the Year: Jim Grinstead, who has been keeping football statistics for the Euclid Panthers for the past 48 years. A former professional Putt-Putt golfer, Jim has also kept statistics for VASJ for the last eight seasons. He provided most of the statistical data used in compiling the Observer’s 2010 All-Star selections.