PREVIEW: 2008 Northeast Ohio High School Player of the Year

The candidates are starting to filter through the offices at D1 headquarters as we go out and about to camps this summer to scout our top prospects and candidates for this year's Northeast Ohio High School Player of the Year Award. So far from what we've seen the list will be full of studs!

Of course last year's winner Randy Greenwood from Lake Catholic is in the mix as is Kirtland's Rossi Santo. Both are very talented multiple position athletes that can determine the out come of a game on their own. Euclid's Jeffron Gill also has a stake in the bidding if he can add on to a great junior season he had last year. We will also keep an eye on Willoughby South's quarterback Pat Nicely. Nice pocket passer, decent arm but no very mobile. He's the make or break point for the Rebels this year. Speaking of quarterbacks, the top of the crop right now is Perry's Vinny Hokavar. "Air" Hokavar has rebounded from a wicked shoulder injury last season and appears early on in camp to be solid. The loss to Kirtland in a recent 7on7 wasn't due in part to his play at all. VASJ has one solid player that can be a lock for this award if he's not over-used and beaten up. The smaller Toney Foster, Jr. will see the brunt of the load at runningback for the Vikings this year following the departure of stall wort runners Dan Goodrum and Nick Viola to Lake Erie College where they will be playing NCAA Division II football this season.

Don't count out Raymont Clements from Warrensville and a bit more to the west we go and St, Ignatius' quarterback Andrew Holland can throw his name into the mix among area ballers looking to earn top honors as well. A solid start to the season by the Wildcats and game play equal to the task and we may see him move up the list pretty quick. BUT remember, it's a long season and you've got to FINISH STRONG.

Speaking of west-siders, Bryan Boss of Bay High School will play a big role this year for his team at receiver. We'll see if he has what it takes to standout weekly and take on the MVP role and make a run at Player of the Year as well.


As the summer practices set in we will be making the rounds to other schools and the list may grow. It will most definitely get smaller as the season goes and the "studs" separate themselves from the pack. Good luck to all of you this year and remember it's about the TEAM!