Hicks, Watkins take top honors

Coach of the year goes to two: Middies’ Krause and Springfield’s Robertson.

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Staff Report 9:39 AM Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Lakota West High School senior linebacker Jordan Hicks and Middletown senior quarterback Caleb Watkins have been voted the 2009 Associated Press All-Southwest District Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year in Division I.

Middies coach Jason Krause was named co-Coach of the Year along with Springfield’s Rick Robertson.

The 6-foot-2, 225-pound Hicks had 86 total tackles (61 solos, 25 assists), including 9.5 tackles for a loss while helping the Firebirds earn a share the Greater Miami Conference championship and a berth in the Region 4 playoffs.

Hicks, one of the country’s top prospects, also had one interception and punted 18 times for a 40.6-yard average while leading West to a 9-2 record.

He will play in the Under Armour All-American game Jan. 2, in Orlando, and he also has been invited to play for Team USA in the Team USA vs. The World game Jan. 30, in Fort Lauderdale.

Watkins (6-4, 210) threw for 1,708 yards and 15 touchdowns while leading the Middies to the playoffs for the first time since 1990.

He also carried 119 times for 513 yards and 11 touchdowns and guided Middletown to a 10-2 season, tying the school record for victories.

Already committed to play for Bowling Green next year, Watkins finished his career as the GMC’s leading passer three years in a row.

The individual awards in the other divisions went to:

Division II — Winton Woods’ Dominique Brown and Trotwood-Madison’s Antwan Gilbert (co-Offense), New Carlisle Tecumseh’s Kyle Sanning (Defense) and West Carrollton’s Rob Berger (Coach).

Division III — Wyoming’s Kyle Seyfried (Offense), Wyoming’s Jibreel Black (Defense) and Springfield Shawnee’s Rick Meeks (Coach).

Division IV — Thurgood Marshall’s Tavion Wright (Offense), Alter’s Cody Byers (Defense) and Carlisle’s Bill Jewell and Alter’s Ed Domsitz (co-Coaches).

Division V — Versailles’ Derek Langenkamp (Offense), Anna’s Derek Billing (Defense) and Versailles’ Bob Olwin (Coach).

Division VI — South Charleston Southeastern’s Reed Florence (Offense), Sidney Lehman Catholic’s David Spearman (Defense) and South Charleston Southeastern’s Greg Bonifay and Fort Loramie’s Matt Burbgacher (co-Coaches).

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