The top 24 male athletes to watch in the Muskingum Valley in the fall of 2024

The sweltering days of August are behind us and we have entered September; a month full of autumn sports in our region.

There are many traditions among our Sheridan cross country, John Glenn golf and River View soccer teams competing for regional tournament and state berths.

This also means there is some notable talent in the Muskingum Valley, Coshocton and Guernsey regions.

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Here’s a look at the top 24 male athletes in the region.

Football

River View seniors Laired Williamson, Cael Summers and Hayden Walters and junior Parker Andrews — The Black Bears are aiming for another long tournament run.

A versatile defender, Williamson was the Muskingum Valley League’s Tri-Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, as well as a Second Team All-Ohio selection. He was a fixture on a defense that allowed just 22 goals.

Summers provides a steadying foot in the midfield and helps with the defensive effort. He finished with 10 goals and 10 assists a year ago.

The top duo of Walters and Andrews gives River View a tough offense to rely on. Andrews has 18 goals and eight assists, and Walters has 10 goals and 11 assists, both of whom were First Team All-MVL and East District. Their speed and skill can be a mismatch for defenders.

Maysville seniors Cameron Parker and Wyatt Mynes — Parker, the 2023 MVL Midfielder of the Year and League Co-Player of the Year, and Mynes, the 2022 MVL Player of the Year, make up the Panthers’ offensive power.

Parker led the way with 26 goals and 15 assists last season on his way to being named Second Team All-Ohio. His ability to attack from the midfield has prepared Mynes, who missed most of last season with an injury. A forward, Mynes has scored more than 70 goals in his Maysville career and his contributions are why the Panthers advanced to their third regional final in four seasons.

John Glenn senior Will Nicolozakes — The Second-Team All-Ohioan is one of the top offensive forces in the region. He scored 33 goals a year ago and had 15 more, and is one of the main reasons expectations remain high for the Muskies, who reached the regional tournament two years ago.

Rosecrans seniors Tizian Schmelzer and James Goggin — The Bishops must replace their all-time leading scorer in Grady Labishak, but Schmelzer could step in. He has 13 goals and six assists in just 12 games, and scored four goals in 30 minutes in last month’s win over Zanesville. Schmelzer anchors the offense, while Goggin is a steadying midfielder. His ability to read the field and put others in good positions will keep the Bishops among the top teams in their division.

Morgan Young Cole McGill — McGill provided an early scoring punch for the Raiders. He set a school record with seven goals against Sheridan and then scored five against New Lexington. His offensive prowess should help a Morgan team with plenty of experience under first-year coach Shawn Bell.

West Muskingum senior Jacob Agin — Strong midfield play is a staple in Ryan Barks’ schemes, and Agin would fit right in with plenty of success in his career. He’s scored three goals and his skill set would help a roster full of returning players. His production could help the Tornadoes meet their expectations.

Tri-Valley senior Yuvi Bastola — The Scottie standout earned MVL and District honors last season, scoring 26 goals and providing 14 assists. Bastola will once again be the focal point of the offense as Tri-Valley looks to regain momentum after a rocky start.

Zanesville senior Cam Van Kirk and junior Connor Baldwin — The Blue Devils are looking to do better than last season, and these two should lead the way. They have scored 10 goals so far and Van Kirk has four TDs this season. Their production will be needed in the tough Licking County League.

Coshocton Junior Kaaba Bylaws — The Second-Team All-Ohioan has been a constant in goal. His contributions will be crucial for a team with just one senior as first-year coach Conner Roahrig tries to bring Coshocton tradition back to the field.

Others you can watch: Morgan seniors Tavian Myers and Bradley Spencer; River View sophomore Cash Guilliams; Tri-Valley junior Owen Harney; Sheridan junior Thad Nikodym and sophomore Kasen Miller; Maysville senior Cyrus Melick; and West Muskingum junior Silas Kuhn.

cross country

Sheridan senior Tate Ruthers — A multiple-time MVL champion and regional runner-up, Ruthers continues the great General Harriers tradition. Ruthers, who finished fourth at state in Division II last season, is at the top of its game as a runner-up in the Black Division of the Pickerington North Invitational. It aims to be a four-time MVL champion and hopes to compete for another All-Ohio finish with Sheridan’s promotion to Division I.

Morgan young Clark Smith — Smith burst onto the scene last season, finishing fourth in the MVL. He followed that up with a 56th-place finish at the regional. The Raider Harriers hope to improve and get closer to a state berth.

Tri-Valley senior Dalton Crozier — Crozier has been one of the area’s most consistent runners, but competing in Division I has limited his chances for deep postseason runs. He should be one of the league’s top runners again as he aims to finish his career on a high note for the Scotties.

Philo senior Ryan Morris — The Electrics are building their program and Morris is leading that charge. He finished sixth in the MVL and reached the regional. He was already a top-20 player in Marietta and should be in contention for a top-five ranking in the league.

Others you can watch: Sheridan sophomore Hudson Wilson; John Glenn juniors Ethan Zell and Isaac Duran; Crooksville freshman Luke Sheets; Ridgewood fourth-grader Aydan Salmon; River View fourth-grader Aiden Stevens-Woolery and third-graders Trey Skjold and Landon Cochran.

Golf

John Glenn seniors Noah Dever and CJ Dolan — The duo is one of the reasons the Muskies continue to be the team to beat in the MVL. Dever was a medalist at the MVL Jim Vejsicky Memorial tournament, while Dolan remains one of the best players in the league. Both will look to help John Glenn defend its league title this fall.

Crooksville senior Bo White — White has taken the next step after finishing in the top eight of his Division III regional. He has been a medalist in several tournaments and matches, including the Indian Valley Invitational. His solid all-around play should give him a chance to top the MVL and potentially compete for a state berth.

River View freshman Gavin Gress — Gress has been successful throughout his years on the course, competing against bigger competitors in events like the Zanesville District Golf Association Amateur. His consistency regardless of the course makes him one to watch for the next four years.

Tri-Valley freshman Jou Chow — The Scotties have young talent, and Chow emphasizes that. He shot 74 in the MVL preseason and is becoming a solid part of the roster as the Tri-Valley competes for the Big School title.

Others you can watch: Reid Lemity and Nick Anton of West Muskingum; AJ Layton of Philo; Noah Warner, Owen Cains, Carson Daly and Wyatt Satterfield of Sheridan; Xander Smalley of Tri-Valley; Cade Pickrell of Maysville; John Glenn’s Cooper Briggs and Hayden Gensor; Caleb Kline of River View.

[email protected]; X: @brandonhannahs