The Ohio all-Eastern District football teams have been released and several head coaches and players were recognized for their outstanding seasons.

A total of 161 players from OVAC schools received either first-team, second-team or honorable mention status in Divisions III though VII. Five head coaches were named Coach of the Year in the respective divisions, while another dozen players were accorded Player of the Year laurels.

Earning Coach of the Year were Steubenville’s Reno Saccoccia (D-III) who guided the Big Reds to a 12-0 record and regional semifinal appearance on Friday against Dover. St. Clairsville’s Brett McLean shared the D-IV honors with Indian Valley’s Matt Lancaster. Both their teams are 12-0 and possibly headed for a clash in the regional finals. Barnesville’s Blake Allen and Martins Ferry’s Justin Kropka are co-recipients in Division V. Allen led the Shamrocks to their third consecutive 10-0 regular season. Kropka turned the Purple Riders from 5-5 to 9-1. In Division VI, Monroe Central’s Jonathan Calder was rewarded for the Seminoles’ fine 9-1 campaign.

Selected as Players of the Year are:

∫ Division III Defensive Player of the Year, Steubenville’s Brody Saccoccia. This is the second straight season the Big Red senior defensive back has been awarded. He charted 86 tackles and picked off three passes, returning one for a touchdown.

∫ Division IV Defensive Player of the Year, St. Clairsville’s Brody Saunders. This senior defensive end recorded 15 solo tackles, assisted on 10, had five tackles for lost yardage, had five quarterback sacks and 10 quarterback hurries.

∫ Division V Co-Offensive Player of the Year, Barnesville’s Casey Carpenter, who is also a two-time honoree. He shares the honor with Garaway’s Dillon Soehnlen. Carpenter completed 79 percent of his passes. He was 84 of 106 for 1,518 yards and 23 interceptions without throwing an interception.

∫ Division V Tri-Defensive Player of the Year, Barnesville’s Hines Ford and Martins Ferry’s Alex Reese. Ford is a two-time recipient as is Reese who won the award in D-VI last year. They share the award with Garaway’s Jayce Wallick. Ford had 98 total tackles, with 78 solo stops from his inside linebacker spot. He also recorded eight TFLs and a quarterback sack. Reese registered 80 total tackles, 14 sacks, 25 TFLs and defended six passes as a defensive end.

∫ Division VI, Tri-Defensive Player of the Year honors went to Monroe Central’s Tucker Howell, Toronto’s Zeb Kinsey and Ridgewood’s Grant Lahmers. Howell is a two-time honoree. Howell was a key performer for the Seminoles. He was 80 of 130 passing for 1,599 yards and 24 touchdowns, while also running for 887 yards and 16 more six-pointers. Kinsey passed for 2,337 yards on 120 of 202. He threw 22 TDs and rushed for 572 yards and seven more touchdowns.

All Player of the Year honorees also earn first-team status.

A complete list of honorees can be found on B4.