COLUMBUS (AP) — The Athens Bulldogs’ historic season was rewarded on a state level Tuesday.
Athens head coach Ryan Adams was named the Associated Press Division III Coach of the Year.
Adams earns the honor after leading the Bulldogs to their first 10-0 season in school history. Athens finished 10-1, losing to Jackson in the Division III, Region 12 playoffs.
Athens senior middle linebacker Mitch Rider is a Division III First-Team All-Ohio selection. Rider, a three-year starter, had 80 tackles on the season, and also had a key interception in overtime against Nelsonville-York in week 10.
Athens senior running back DeVon Sharp was also honored, as he was a Third-Team All-Ohio running back in Division III. Sharp rushed for 1,287 yards, scoring 23 touchdowns and 146 points on the season.
Skylar Schwarzel, Trevor Sorrell, Chris Russell and Nick Stanley were Special Mention All-Ohio.
The Bulldogs’ perfect regular season was the schools first in football since going 9-0 in 1965. The Tri-Valley Conference Ohio Division championship was Athens’ first outright league title since 1968. It was also the second playoff appearance and first since 1990.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
