Alex Reese

COLUMBUS — The last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind for Martins Ferry’s Alex Reese. The 6-6, 220-pound senior defensive end was named the Ohio Division V Eastern District Defensive Player of the Year and he committed to Youngstown State University to continue his academic and athletic careers last week during the NCAA Early Signing period.

On Tuesday, Reese was named the co-Defensive Player of the Year when the Division V all-state team was released.

The all-Ohio teams are based on nominations from the seven districts of the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association, which vote on the all-district teams from regular-season accomplishments.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to coach a lot of good football players. The great football players are determined by their work ethic, willingness to work year-round on getting better and how they handle themselves off the field and in the classroom. Those are the players that will continue to play in college and that fits Alex to a tee,” Martins Ferry head coach Justin Krokpa said.

“He’s very coachable. He’s a big part of the community and he is tremendous on the football field.”

Reese was a dynamic two-way player for the Purple Riders for four seasons. During his senior campaign, he caught 34 passes for 713 yards and six touchdowns. He averaged 21 yards a catch. Defensively, he charted 91 total tackles, with 29 going for minus yardage. He had 16 quarterback sacks, defended six passes, forced four fumbles, recovered a fumble and returned an interception for a touchdown.

He shares the honor with Luke Starkey of Canfield South Range.

Also in Division V, Barnesville quarterback Casey Carpenter was also selected to the first team.

The senior southpaw enjoyed a fabulous two years in leading the Shamrocks to back-to-back 10-0 regular seasons and consecutive playoff appearances. He was the 2023 and 2024 Eastern District Offensive Player of the Year.

During his final season, the 5-11, 185-pound Carpenter threw 24 touchdown passes and had no interceptions. He completed 105 of 140 passes for 1,698 yards. He only ran the ball 27 times, but found the end zone five times.

Defensively, he picked off four passes as an outside linebacker.

“Casey will go down as one of the best players in school history. He has broken essentially every passing record imaginable at Barnesville, but beyond that, his leadership over the past two seasons is what has meant the most to our program,” Barnesville head coach Blake Allen said. “He approached every day with a hunger and desire to grow, learn, and improve and set the tone for our entire team. His work ethic and commitment to the program has helped to raise the bar and expectations for the players that will follow.

“I am very blessed to have had the opportunity to coach him and he deserves all of the accolades that come his way.”

Earning second-team status were Barnesville offensive lineman Braden Butler and linebacker Hines Ford. On the third team were Barnesville placekicker Evan Lough; Martins Ferry linebacker RJ Welshans and Union Local linebacker Peyton Causby.

In Division IV, St. Clairsville had two players received first-team status, both on the defensive side of the ball. Brody Saunders and Max Fogle were mainstays of a rock-solid unit.

The 6-3, 190-pound Saunders recorded 64 total tackles, with 33 being solo from his end spot. He had seven quarterback sacks, three fumble recoveries and forced a fumble. Six of his tackles went for minus yardage.

Saunders was the Eastern District Defensive Player of the Year. He also started at tight end for the Red Devils who went a sparkling 13-1, losing to eventual state champion Indian Valley in the regional finals.

“Brody, a team captain and three-year letterman, was a terror at DE for us all year long,” St. Clairsville head coach Brett McLean said.“He was a two-way starter who helped fuel our D-line and made play after play in crunch time of close games.”

A standout two-sport athlete, Saunders shined on the mound for the Red Devils and St. Clairsville American Legion Post 159.

Fogle was a force at inside linebacker for the Red Devils, accumulating 101 total tackles this past season, including 57 solo stops. He had five TFLs, three quarterback sacks and an interception.

“Max, also a team captain and three-year letterman, was the alpha leader of one of our most physical defenses in my tenure,” McLean noted. “He also played a significant role on both sides of the ball. He became the emotional leader of our team.”

St. Clairsville’s Wyatt Toothman was a second-team offensive lineman.

A complete listing can be found on Page xx.