After the second week of the season, new names begin to contend for the 2023 Matt Wilhelm Award.
The award is given to The Morning Journal’s football player of the year. It is named after the former star of the Elyria Catholic Panthers and Ohio State Buckeyes. He won a BCS national championship in college and the Super Bowl with the Packers during his seven-year NFL career.
This list is fluid and can change from week to week. Players are listed in alphabetical order.
RB J.R. Bires, Jr., Amherst: Bires was the only Comet to reach the end zone in Amherst’s 28-13 loss to Buckeye. After he accumulated over 200 yards on the ground against Copley in Week 1, the Bucks held him to 56 yards on the ground and 10 receiving yards. Teammate Dominic Jackson could potentially make the watch list after he posted back-to-back 100-yard receiving games. He has three touchdowns.
RB Jakorion Caffey, Sr., Avon: Caffey is closing in on Avon’s all-time lead rushing record, but it hasn’t been as fast as anticipated. The University of Cincinnati commit rushed for 90 yards and two touchdowns last week. Caffey has totaled 209 rushing yards and four touchdowns. He needs 600 yards to become the Eagles’ all-time leading rusher.
RB Marco Cirigliano, Sr., Columbia: Considering the season Cirigliano had last year, it would be fair to say his performance hasn’t reached that level. Nonetheless, he had back-to-back games with over 150 rushing yards. The workhorse had 184 rushing yards and a touchdown against Fairview. He also returned a kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown.
QB Cy Christensen, So., Clearview: Lakewood and Clearview engaged in a high-scoring shootout. The Rangers got the better of the Clippers, 41-40, but Christensen completed 69% of his passes for 283 passing yards and two touchdowns. He also crossed the goal line on the ground as well.
RB Nick DiSalvo, Sr., Rocky River: Just like his quarterback, DiSalvo has starred in his first two games of this senior season. Against John Marshall, he touched the ball four times. He scored all four times and had over 100 yards from scrimmage. He’s crossed the end zone eight times in two games.
QB Julian Patti, Sr., Rocky River: For the first two weeks, an argument can be made that Patti is slinging the football better than anybody in the area. Following his 421-yard performance in Week 1, he threw 236 yards against John Marshall to win. Rocky River defeated John Marshall, 42-6. The offense nearly scored 100 points in two games and his nine passing touchdowns were big reasons why. His MaxPreps quarterback rating is at 136.7.
RB John Salaman, Sr., Lorain: Salaman continues to carry the load for Lorain, the All-Ohioan honorable mention rushed for 181 rushing yards and two touchdowns against Elyria. Lorain defeated the Pioneers, 31-12, at home. His rushing performance was vital in the Titans to score 21 fourth-quarter points.
QB Zach Shackelford, Jr., Keystone: Shackelford only played a handful of plays, at home, against Cloverleaf. He left the game due to injury, as the Wildcats lost to the Colts, 17-7. Prior to his departure, Shackelford completed 2 of 3 passes for 42 yards and had one carry for 11 yards. The loss of Keystone’s best playmaker could pose trouble heading into the future.
ATL Charlie Steinmetz, Jr., North Ridgeville: Steinmetz has turned himself into the Ranger to watch. He leads North Ridgeville with 353 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns. Steinmetz has touched the ball 16 times on offense and averaged 22 yards per touch.
WR/DB Luke Stuewe, Jr., Avon Lake: In two games, Stuewe recorded his third interception of the season against Benedictine, which the Shoremen defeated, 37-15. He also caught six passes for 93 yards and a touchdown. He’s been a playmaker on both sides of the ball and averages over 19 yards per catch.
