Seven Fliers earn Northwest District honors

Enterprise sports writer

clydenews@bizwoh.rr.com

The AP Northwest Ohio District teams were announced on Nov. 13 and Clyde led all area teams with seven selections.

Fliers quarterback Alex Gillett was once again named the Offensive Player of the Year for Division III, but this time he was joined by Jarad Branski as the Offensive Lineman of the Year.

Gillett ran for 1,689 yards and passed for another 1,470 yards this past season while picking off four interceptions as a defensive back. Branski also contributed defensively with 64 tackles, 8.5 sacks and four fumble recoveries.

Joining Gillett and Branski on the All-Northwest Ohio District First Team was Drew Beebe as a linebacker where he had 67 tackles.

Kyle Smetzler was named to the All-District Second Team as a receiver where he had 27 catches for 434 yards and six touchdowns.

Kade Kramer made the second team as a running back where he rushed for 1,049 yards and nine touchdowns.

Offensive lineman David Weisz was also named to the All-District Second Team.

Offensive Lineman Gage Goble received the All-District Honorable Mention Team.

"We are very pleased with the selections that we had on the district team and as a coaching staff we felt that they were worthy of the selection," Coach Marc Gibson said.

"What's also nice to know is that four of the seven will be coming back next year. We will actually have more starters coming back to next year's team than what we had coming back this past season," he added.

"We felt that Gillett was going to be a tough player to beat out as a repeat winner, because of the type of season he had and he didn't do anything to disappoint.

"To see Branski win the lineman award is also gratifying because not only did he deserve it but if you look back a couple of years Matt Guhn won the defensive player of the year award and now Alex has won the offensive award two years in a row and now Branski wins the offensive lineman award.

"It not only shows what our players are capable of accomplishing, but the respect our program has around the northwest district. These awards and honors are not only a tribute to all seven players, but a reminder of all of the hard work and sacrifice that they are willing to put in during the off season.

"Drew Beebe is a good example of that dedication. He tore his ACL during our regional championship game last year and had to have surgery. He then worked extremely hard going through rehabilitation and conditioning to come back strong enough to play at the caliber that he did and will get strong consideration for state honors."