MANSFIELD — When he took over as head coach of his alma mater four years ago, Chioke Bradley knew he had some talent coming up through the system.
But not even in his wildest dreams could the Mansfield Senior mentor have envisioned a day like Monday.
Bradley was selected Ohio’s Division II Coach of the Year while three of his Tygers made the All-Ohio first team when the Division I and Division II teams were announced.
“It was definitely a great day to be a Tyger,” said Bradley, who shared the Coach of the Year award with Lima Senior’s Mike Fell, Cincinnati Loveland’s Fred Cranford and Medina Highland’s Tom Lombardo. “To be selected as one of the state’s top coaches is a testament to the rest of my coaching staff, the players and everyone involved in the program. It is a reflection on them.
“The rest of the coaches and I spend a lot of time together. We laugh and we fight, but at the end of the day we are bound by a common goal. We want to do everything in our power to help our kids be the best they can be.”
Senior receiver Chek Washington, senior defensive end Antonio Sanderfer and senior kicker Hutch Blackstone all earned spots on the All-Ohio first team. Senior quarterback Jalen Reese was a second-team selection while senior offensive lineman Tarrence Brooks and senior linebacker Jaleel Taylor were special mention selections.
“It helps to have great kids and we have some of the best around,” said Bradley, who was a second-team All-Ohio defensive back for the Tygers as a junior in 1992 and a first-team in 1993. “This is something positive, not just for the school but for the entire city. It’s something Mansfield can be proud of and really rally around.”
A Division I recruit with offers from several Mid-American Conference schools, Washington became the first player in program to top 1,000 receiving yards in a single season. He caught 67 passes for 1,190 yards and 10 touchdowns, including two in Senior High’s second-round playoff loss to New Albany. Washington played that game with a separated shoulder.
Ever since breaking into the starting lineup as a sophomore, Sanderfer has been a fixture in opposing teams’ backfields. He capped his three-year career with 86 tackles, including a whopping 38 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks.
A standout in soccer and a two-time qualifier to the state swimming and diving championships, Blackstone proved to be one of the most reliable kickers in the state. He connected on 11 of 14 field goals and 55 of 57 extra points for a team-high 88 points. He was also a weapon as a punter. Nine of his 26 punts landed inside the opponents’ 20 yard line.
A three-year starter, Reese rewrote Senior High’s record book. He will graduate as the program’s single-game, single-season and career passing leader. He completed 185 of 305 attempts this fall for 2,619 yards and 27 touchdowns.
Brooks anchored a line that protected Reese and cleared the way for running back Tyquan Vickers. The sophomore rushed for 1,560 yards and 14 touchdown as the Tygers averaged 37.5 points and 420.9 yards a game.
Taylor led Senior High’s stingy defense in tackles with 105, including 25 tackles for loss. He had 10.5 sacks and recovered five fumbles.
The Division III, Division IV and Division V All-Ohio teams were announced Tuesday evening. Ontario senior receiver Cameron Mack was a second-team selection on the Division IV team. Clear Fork’s Andrew Echelberger and David Bushong were special mention selections in Division IV.
Follow Curt Conrad on Twitter @curtjconrad.
