MANSFIELD — They’ve known each other for almost as long as either can remember, were both first team All-Ohioans and will play Division I college football next fall.
It’s only fitting that Mansfield Senior’s Jornell Manns and Shelby’s Brennan Armstrong share the Richland Source Offensive Player of the Year award.
Both Manns, a running back who will play receiver at the University of Minnesota, and Armstrong, a quarterback who originally committed to Minnesota but is now headed to Virginia, capped storied careers with record-setting senior seasons. Combined, they accounted for 5,015 yards and 88 touchdowns while leading their teams to conference championships and postseason berths.
The two began competing against one another in Mansfield youth basketball leagues and have remained close ever since.
“That’s my guy. We actually grew up playing against each other in the (Police Athletic League),” Manns said earlier this season. “I’ve known Brennan since I was in the fourth grade.
“We’ve been competing for a while and I talk to him on the regular.”
While they won’t be playing together next year, Armstrong will continue to follow Manns’ career.
“Me and Jornell go a long way back. We always competed against each other,” Armstrong said. “I try to keep up on what he is doing. It’s exciting to see guys from the 419 (area code) doing well.”
Manns and Armstrong headline a star-studded All-Richland Source offense.
Quarterback
Brennan Armstrong, Shelby: A four-year starter, Armstrong led the Whippets to the Division IV state semifinals. The Whippets (13-1) fell to eventual state champ Steubenville for a second year. The left-handed Armstrong completed 100 of 165 passes for 1,933 yards and 30 touchdowns and rushed for 1,105 yards and 22 touchdowns despite missing the first three games of the regular season while serving a team-imposed suspension.
Running Backs
Jornell Manns, Mansfield Senior: A four-year starter, Manns led the Tygers to a share of the Ohio Cardinal Conference title and a berth in the Division III playoffs. Manns led Senior High in rushing (1,432 yards, 29 touchdowns) and receiving (43 catches for 545 yards and seven TDs). He capped his career with 1,553 rushing yards and 1,705 receiving yards.
Shorty Brooks, Shelby: The senior and second team All-Ohioan was suspended for the first four games of the season but still rushed for 726 yards in the regular season.
Seth Bailey, Plymouth: A third team All-Ohioan in Division VII, Bailey rushed for 1,596 yards and 21 touchdowns. He shared the Firelands Conference Offensive Player of the Year award with Mapleton quarterback Logan Pharmer.
Wide Receiver
Carter Brooks, Shelby: A senior and four-year letterman, Brooks was arguably Shelby’s most valuable player. He led the Sandusky Bay Conference with 15 touchdown catches during the regular season and was the Bay Division leader with 795 receiving yards on 40 grabs.
Kamrin Knowlton-Goings, Ashland: The lanky 6-foot-5 senior had 35 catches for 676 yards and 10 touchdowns. Knowlton-Goings was an All-Ohio honorable mention selection in Division II.
Trace Stiltner, Hillsdale: A Division VI All-Ohio honorable mention pick, Stiltner caught 29 passes for 560 yards and 10 touchdowns, rushed for 151 yards and three TDs and returned two punts and a kickoff for scores.
Davon Triplett, Crestline: The Bulldogs finished at 5-5, the school’s best finish since going 8-2 in 2005, thanks in large part to Triplett. The 6-foot-5 receiver was an All-Ohio second team pick in Division VII.
Offensive Line
John Valentine, Ashland: A 6-foot-2, 320 pound senior, Valentine was an All-Ohio third team pick in Division II. He was an Ohio Cardinal Conference first team pick, helping the Arrows to a share of the OCC title.
Montrell Caldwell, Mansfield Senior: The 6-foot-2, 260 pound senior was an All-Ohio second team pick in Division III after earning special mention recognition in Division II as a junior. Caldwell helped the Tygers win a share of the OCC crown and earn a spot in the playoffs for the second time in three years.
Hayden Vent, Shelby: A 6-foot-1, 275 pound senior guard, Vent helped clear the way for a pair of 1,000 yard rushers in quarterback Brennan Armstrong and running back Shorty Brooks. He was an All-Ohio second team pick in Division IV.
Kyle Martin, Hillsdale: One of the top two-way linemen in the Wayne County Athletic League, the 6-foot-3, 250 pound Martin was an All-Ohio third team pick in Division VI. The senior helped the Facons reach the regional championship game.
Jimmy Sweat, Lucas: A 6-foot-5, 265 pound senior, Sweat helped clear the way for one of north central Ohio’s most punishing ground games. Sweat was an All-Ohio second team pick in Division VII, helping the Cubs reach the playoffs for a fourth straight year.
Austin Parrigan, Shelby: The 6-foot-2, 255 pound senior joined Vent on arguably the best offensive line in north central Ohio. Parrigan was an All-Ohio honorable mention selection.
Kicker
Sloan Bowman, Clear Fork: A senior Bowman was 40-for-48 on PAT attempts and connected on 3 of 4 field goals. He also caught 11 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for another score.
Kick Returner
Brady Hill, Shelby: The Northwest District Defensive Player of the Year in Division IV, Hill was most dangerous as a return man. He averaged a whopping 31.3 yards per kickoff return during the regular season and returned a kickoff for a touchdown in Shelby’s regional final win over Bellevue. He also averaged more than 10 yards a return on punts.
