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Here it is, Columbussports.com's first annual prep pigskin praises -- The Bronze Bratwursts. Congrats to these worthy high school gridiron grillers from the playoffs and previous.

Isaiah Pead gave it relish and all.

Isaiah Pead, Eastmoor Acadamy -- RB Pead was a steady stalwart, though his 10-1 team did not make the playoffs.  He rushed for 39 TDs and 2,204 yards and was named the Div. III offensive player of the year. On defense, Pead had 6 interceptions. Because of the quirks of the computer point system, we did not get to follow Isaiah in the postseason.

Ethan Wetzel, Big Walnut -- Ethan proved himself so much more than the coach's son in leading Big Walnut to the Div. III state championship. What's more, the final was on the QB/LB's 18th birthday! Wetzel had 114 yards and a TD in a crucial playoff win over Monroe, and amassed over 2,300 total yards and 29 TDs on the season.

Zack Stoudt, Dublin Coffman -- Zack is the son of an NFL QB, but was actually a late bloomer. He became the AP Central District offensive player of the year. While falling short to national #2 St. X, Stoudt was crucial in the riveting 42-35 defeat of Hilliard darby in the big school regional final. 12/11 Update -- Stoudt has announced he will play college ball at Louisville.

Seth Hardin, Westfall -- What can we say? Later playoff games disappointed, but this young stud from Williamsport lit it up in a regional semifinal rout of Teays Valley for  442 yards and 6 TDs.  Outrageous at any level, and apparently a playoff record.

Mark Nichols, Newark Catholic -- The little school that could, and always can, especially with such a big engine. Nichols led Newark Catholic to the Div. VI state championship. He put up unbelievable numbers along the way. Get this -- 41 TDs and 2,900 yards. He had 161 yards and a TD in the final.

Jake Stoneburner, Dublin Coffman -- It's hard to mention Stoudt without acknowledging his top receiver, Stoneburner. Playing both TE and WR, Stoneburner led the Shamrocks with 74 catches for 1267 yards and 15 TDs. Jake is Buckeye-bound as well.

B.J. Machen, Hilliard Darby -- Machen was the Panthers' defensive player of the year and led them to the Div. I regional final. Considered a late bloomer by some, the linebacker had an impressive senior year and has committed to Georgia Tech.

Storm Klein, Licking Valley -- I will not recount Storm's annals that have already been written in these columns leading up to Licking Valley's Div. III title game appearance. Suffice it to say that the golden-maned 2009 Buckeye was dominant at RB and LB all season. Frankly, the box scores concentrated on the rushing and TDs but the critics praised his defensive skills. We hope Storm is recovered from his post-championship hospitalization, and wish him a great senior year with the Panthers and a successful career with the scarlet and grey. 

Chow down, boys!!!

Tags: high school football, high school sports