MANSFIELD – Richland County has produced a number of talented young football players in recent years.
And 2024 should be no different. While there are no All-Ohioans returning from the 2023 season, the talent level for the 2024 season is impeccable. In this edition of Jake’s List, let’s take a look at 10 of the best returning football players in Richland County.
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Richland County’s Top 10 Returning Football Players in 2024
Honorable Mention: Brayden Parrigan, Crestview; Kaden Dickerson, Crestview; Max Hoovler, Mansfield Christian; Noah Pearce, Mansfield Christian; Finn Mcauley, Clear Fork; Jaybyx Mack, Lexington; Evan Ruhe, Ontario; Syncere Long, Mansfield Sr.; Alex Maiyer, Mansfield Christian; Ty Callahan, Crestview; Tyler Holloway, Crestview; Trenton Weaver, Crestview; Kade Beachy, Clear Fork.
10. Liam Beer, Clear Fork
Beer headlined a Clear Fork defense that posted six shutouts last season, including several in the second half of the season. While he did score one goal, his goal was to keep opponents away from his goal, and he did that excellently last season. He was selected to the All-District second team and All-Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference first team and should help the Colts compete for the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference title in 2024.
9. Bronson Frost, Clear Fork
Frost has made the Colts defense look like one of the best in Richland County this season. He scored a goal and an assist, but teamed up with Beer to make life difficult for opposing teams. He was selected to the All-District second team and All-MOAC first team. Frost has the Colts in the race for the championship.
8. Jace Young, Ontario
Young was a Swiss Army knife for the MOAC champion Ontario Warriors last year. He played everywhere and did a little bit of everything, scoring one goal and dishing out eight assists while helping his defense to five shutouts and eight one-goal games. He was named to the All-District second team and All-MOAC first team, and the Warriors are eyeing another championship in 2024.
7. Randy Jamieson, Madison
Last season, as a sophomore, Jamieson scored seven goals (second on the team) and dished out 10 assists (best on the team) to help the Rams have an impressive year. He was named to the All-District and All-Ohio Cardinal Conference second team last year, and now that he’s back for his third year, it could be the Rams’ time to shine as their talented young group matures into seniors. Jamieson should be at the forefront of that group.
6. Justin Crall, senior from Mansfield
Crall was the Tygers’ leading scorer (18) last season and also led them in assists (14) as they won their first sectional tournament game in a decade. He was named to the All-District first team and All-OCC second team last season. Crall is a kid who plays the game the right way and has fun while doing it. With his smarts, he will be a great leader for the Tygers as they look to build on last year’s postseason success.
5. Weston Neal, Mansfield Christian
Neal led the Flames with 12 goals and an assist last year and was named to the All-District and All-Mid-Buckeye Conference first team. The Flames finished with a 9-8-1 record and won a sectional championship a year after playing for the district title. They hope to continue that success in the postseason this year with Neal at the helm.
4. Will Perkins, Lexington
Perkins was a second-team All-District and second-team All-OCC player for the Minutemen last year. This season, he will take on a much larger role as a speedster on the wing. With much of the Minutemen’s roster coming off last year’s district championship team, it will be up to Perkins to show those leadership qualities and necessary drive on the offensive side of the court if they want to continue their streak of six consecutive district titles. Perkins will be one of the best players in the OCC and should be considered an early favorite for the OCC Player of the Year award.
3. Hector Sanchez Vidal, Ontario
Sanchez Vidal led the Warriors last season with 11 goals and eight assists, team-highs in both statistical categories. He was a first-team All-District and All-MOAC selection last year as he led the Warriors to the championship. With his return, the Warriors can look forward to the prospect of a great 2024 season that should bring them another conference title.
2. Griffin DeBolt, senior from Mansfield
DeBolt, who was named to the All-District and All-OCC first team last year, scored 11 goals and five assists while playing nearly every position on the court. He had the talent to control the midfield, attack from the top or prop up a solid defense, which made him invaluable to the Tygers last season. The Tygers have a chance to do some special things the program hasn’t seen in a very long time, and DeBolt will be right in the middle of it.
1. Joey Walker, Madison
Walker had a stellar season in 2023, earning first-team All-District and Ohio Cardinal Conference honors after scoring 22 goals and adding eight assists as a sophomore. Walker sees the Rams as preseason favorites to compete for the OCC title, and for good reason. His junior class is absolutely loaded, and if Walker can provide a leadership role, there’s no telling where the Rams could end up, especially after dropping to Division III following the OHSAA’s divisional expansion in boys soccer. There may be no stopping Madison from a district title.
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