Local Area Athletes Dominate 2026 LCL Football Honors
ZANESVILLE, OH – When the Licking County League announces its all-league football teams each year, local area athletes tend to be all over them. 2026 was no different, with all six local area teams in the league having top representation between both the Buckeye and Cardinal Divisions. The LCL also recognized winners in each division of the Ernie Godfrey Award, presented to an athlete who best exemplifies character, leadership, sportsmanship and dedication to the game.
Only local area athletes and coaches are listed below, sorted by division, team, and school:
BUCKEYE DIVISION
OFFENSIVE BACK OF THE YEAR: Brody Rodgers (Senior), Licking Valley
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE YEAR: Carson Adkins (Junior), Licking Valley
DEFENSIVE BACK OF THE YEAR: Luke Bosse (Senior), Granville
ERNIE GODFREY AWARD: Evan Woerner (Senior), Zanesville
COACH OF THE YEAR: Randy Baughman, Licking Valley
FIRST TEAM:
- Cooper Gregory (Senior), Granville
- Connor Kirby (Junior), Granville
- Carter Rhyan (Sophomore), Granville
- George Walter (Junior), Granville
- Peyton George (Senior), Licking Valley
- Conner Keeley (Junior), Licking Valley
- Dylan Keeley (Junior), Licking Valley
- Griffin Williams (Senior), Licking Valley
- Damarcus Goins (Senior), Zanesville
- Evan Woerner (Senior), Zanesville
SECOND TEAM:
- Grant Buerkel (Senior), Granville
- Jackson McMillan (Senior), Granville
- Ian Roberts (Senior), Granville
- Zane Schilling (Senior), Granville
- Brody Banks (Sophomore), Licking Valley
- Brandt Lichtenauer (Senior), Licking Valley
- Carter Nethers (Junior), Licking Valley
- Blake Penn (Senior), Licking Valley
- Titan Grandstaff (Junior), Zanesville
- Kason Hazlett (Junior), Zanesville
- Connor Johnson (Junior), Zanesville
HONORABLE MENTION:
- Levi Lewis (Sophomore), Licking Valley
- Case Nethers (Junior), Licking Valley
- Garrett Hinton (Junior), Granville
- Evan Seifert (Junior), Granville
- RJ Gladden (Sophomore), Zanesville
- Trio Ladd (Senior), Zanesville
CARDINAL DIVISION
DEFENSIVE BACK OF THE YEAR: Tyler Marks (Senior), Heath
ERNIE GODFREY AWARD: Joe Ward (Senior), Heath
FIRST TEAM:
- Tristyn Jones (Senior), Heath
- Tyler Marks (Senior), Heath
- Cam Stephens (Senior), Heath
- Joe Ward (Senior), Heath
- Alex Zarins (Senior), Heath
- Lukka Vines (Junior), Lakewood
- Carter Chupka (Senior), Newark Catholic
- Jaxon Holman (Senior), Newark Catholic
- Malone Hutchison (Senior), Newark Catholic
SECOND TEAM:
- Gerald Labucuas (Sophomore), Heath
- Cooper Mason (Junior), Heath
- Colton McLean (Senior), Heath
- Hudson Schumate (Senior), Heath
- Kolten Huntsman (Junior), Lakewood
- Landon Cox (Sophomore), Newark Catholic
- Jace Johnson (Sophomore), Newark Catholic
- Noah Richards (Sophomore), Newark Catholic
- Raife Shook (Junior), Newark Catholic
HONORABLE MENTION:
- Tim Beish (Senior), Heath
- Logan Richardson (Senior), Heath
- Colton Collins (Sophomore), Lakewood
- Grant Hardway (Sophomore), Lakewood
- Jack Gossett (Senior), Newark Catholic
- Jack Lohri (Senior), Newark Catholic
