Zaire named District III's top offensive player

Alter quarterback Malik Zaire took his game to a whole new level this season and the AP rewarded him for it as he was named the 2012 Division III Southwest District Offensive Player of the Year. The Notre Dame-bound signal caller had some very deserving players for the awarded including Denzell Norvell of Marshall, Alex McCrory at Shawnee and Nathan Mays of Urbana. Zaire led the Knights with 1,990 yards passing with 24 touchdowns through the air, nine more on the ground and 1,120 yards rushing. The senior leaves the Knights program having thrown for over 2,800 yards, run for more than 2,400 yards while accounting for 57 touchdowns (29 passing & 28 rushing) in his career.

Here is a look at the 2012 Division III All-Southwest District Team.

DIVISION III
FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE: Ends - Ben Kurtz,/Wyoming, 6-3, 205, sr.; Tyler Powell, Urbana, 5-10, 175, sr. Linemen - Ben Place, Alter, 6-0, 210, sr.; James Frazier, Thurgood Marshall, 5-10, 225, sr.; Jake Quick, Urbana, 5-10, 235, jr.; Bryan Corpuz, McNicholas, 6-3, 235, jr.; Sam Kassem, Indian Hill, 6-5, 320, sr. Quarterback - Malik Zaire, Alter, 6-2, 190, sr.Backs - Denzel Norvell, Thurgood Marshall, 5-9, 170, sr.; Alex McCrory,Shawnee, 6-1, 235, sr.; Tanner Lawrence, Urbana, 5-11, 175, sr. Kicker - Pat DiSalvio, McNicholas, 5-11, 180, sr.

DEFENSE:
Linemen - Haygan Blain, Shawnee, 6-5, 230, sr.; Greg Hart, Alter, 6-4, 210, sr.; Jackson Vandergriff, Alter, 5-9, 172, sr.; Brandon Flucas, Thurgood Marshall, 6-2, 230, sr. Linebackers - Antonio Garnett, Taft, 5-10, 190, sr.;L. J. Henderson, Indian Lake, 5-10, 175, jr.; Aaron Sidders , Urbana, 5-10, 175, sr.; Jase Farlow, Thurgood Marshall, 5-10, 185, sr. Backs - Andrew Holderman, Eaton, 5-11, 185, sr.; Semaj Steele, Taft, 5-9, 165, sr.; Jalen Fox, Wyoming, 5-11, 180, jr. Punter - Nathan Mays, Urbana, 6-2, 175, so.

Offensive player of the year: Malik Zaire, Alter
Defensive player of the year: Brandon Flucas, Thurgood Marshall
Coach of the year: Geron Stokes, Urbana

SECOND TEAM
OFFENSE: Ends - Ben Suttman, Alter, 6-2, 220, sr,; Shane Ware, Urbana, 5-11, 190, jr. Linemen - Davonte Owens, Thurgood Marshall, 6-1, 250, jr.; DeShawn Dunston, Dunbar, 5-10, 240, sr.; Ben Foppe, Alter, 5-11, 220, sr,; Kyle Monhollen, Goshen, 5-10, 220, sr.; Nick Talley, Shawnee, 6-3, 180, sr.Quarterback - Austin Ernst, McNicholas, 6-2, 185, sr. Backs - Veyante Copeland, Thurgood Marshall, 6-0, 180, jr.; Max Winnenberg, Kenton Ridge, 6-0, 200, sr. Jeremy Brisson, Benjamin Logan, 5-9, 165, jr. Kicker - Michael Ruffalo, Alter, 5-9, 151, jr.

DEFENSE
Linemen - Mike Seege, Thurgood Marshall, 6-2, 215, sr. Cole Bird, New Richmond, 6-1, 225, sr.; James White, New Richmond, 5-8, 195, sr.; Todd Gula, McNicholas, 5-10, 180, sr. Linebackers - John Manfreda, Alter, 6-0, 197, jr.; Kevin McHale, McNicholas, 5-11, 190, sr.; Alex Horn, New Richmond, 6-0, 225, sr.; Wiatt Hanlin, Graham, 6-1, 185, jr. Backs - Drew Young,Shawnee, 5-11, 180, sr.; Nate Hemmert, Carroll, 6-1, 170, sr.; Thomas Vogele, McNicholas, 6-2, 185, sr. Punter - Zach Gingerich, Bellefontaine, 6-3, 202, sr.

HONORABLE MENTION
Jamahl Manley, Thurgood Marshall; Will Marty, Wyoming; Mike Williams, Taft; Marcus Casey, Goshen; Zach Gingerich, Bellefontaine; Ollie Lewis, Dunbar; Deangelo Worthy, Thurgood Marshall; Andrew Faith, Goshen; Charles Johnson, Dunbar; Brent Weiss, Benjamin Logan; Carl Chaney, Taft; Ethan Downing, Indian Lake; Jordan Baughman, Bellefontaine; Tanner Penwell, Benjamin Logan,; Chris Teague, Indian Lake; Ben Klaiber, Monroe; Anton Dean, Aiken; Brian Turner, Monroe; Terell Dailey, Wyoming.