Watson 2009 MVP; Mott most improved

Gazette Sports Editor

sports@gazettepublishingco.com

He's a 6'5" 220 pound left-handed senior quarterback. He's humble and an outstanding athlete and for that he was named the 2009 Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the Bellevue Redmen football team on Sunday by Head Coach Ed Nasonti.

"Curt is as good of a kid as he is a quarterback and he is very coachable. Curt puts the team first... all the time," Nasonti said of his three-year starter. "In all my years of being associated in Bellevue football I can't say that I've seen anyone with a stronger arm than he has - and we've had some strong arms here at Bellevue. He has made some throws over the past few seasons that have really been unbelievable. We see it so often in practice that we actually get spoiled. We expect every pass to be complete, and if he goes 16-for-21 we're thinking what happened the other five balls? That's being spoiled. We're sad to see him graduate."

Watson was named First-Team All-NOL quarterback of the Northern Ohio League (NOL) as he led all passing leaders with a total of 2,423 yards. He completed 151 of 268 on the season with an average of 16 yards per completion. Watson threw for 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Watson was also among the best in the league in rushing as he tallied up 416 yards off 124 carries. He averaged 3.4 yards per carry, had 13 touchdowns on the season and four fumbles. Watson ended third in the league in punts with an average of 34.4 yards per punt. The closest competition Watson had in the quarterback position was junior Ryan Tittle of Tiffin Columbian with 1,433 yards.

Taking home another top prestigious award on the night went to senior lineman Ryan Mott for the Most Improved Player for the 2009 season.

"As a junior Ryan didn't receive a varsity letter but kept a great attitude and worked really, really hard," Nasonti said. "He was a team player and he made me proud. Ryan did some great work in the weight room for us. He's the kind of guy that really buys into the program and just gets what you're trying to do. He understands when he's challenged and he understands when you're trying to motivate him. He realizes that discipline isn't punishment and is an outstanding kid. He's going to be successful in what he does."

Nasonti named senior running back Dom DeBlase "Most Valuable Back" as he took Second-Team All-NOL honors as a running back for the men in red and white as he was seventh in the league. DeBlase ran for a total of 671 yards on the season off 124 carries. He averaged 5.4 yards per carry and was among the top in the league in touchdowns with 10. He only committed one fumble on the season, and averaged a touchdown per game.

"Dom has played two solid years for us in the running back spot and he did a great job in that spot. Sometimes I think we took advantage of what he did for us. Another guy for us that did not make excuses," Nasonti said.

CO-captain and senior Shawn Zieber received the "Rock Award."

"This award originated in 1976 and goes to the most valuable lineman. I thought the offensive line did an great job this season and he is very deserving of this award. Shawn played on our offensive line and I think our line was one of the best in the conference," said Nasonti. "Shawn is a first-class kid and he has always accepted coaching. Here's an example of a kid who as a junior didn't letter but just came out and did what he had to do. He was one of the main lineman on the offensive line. We're going to miss him next year."

Zieber was one of four interior linemen for the second offense team All-NOL. Zieber, a captain, was a team leader and one of the strongest offensive linemen for the 2009 season.

"The 'True Grit Award' started in 1995 for an individual on the team that doesn't always play as much as he likes but plays hard and practices hard, buys into the program, has good team spirit and understands what being a team player means. Colin Jarvis fits the bill for this. Colin was an outstanding team player and he contributed by making the team better everyday. He has a great attitude and really accepted his role... he's one of those guys who doesn't make excuses. From the first week in June to the last week in October he never missed a workout or a practice. He is going to be successful in whatever he does."

Senior Nano Wagner received the "Sberna Award" for the 2009 football season.

"This award has been given out for as long as I can remember. It goes to the smallest player on the team who plays the largest. This award is for a kid who doesn't realize how small he is and isn't afraid to stick his nose in it," Nasonti said. "This kid here did a great job blocking and wasn't really worried about getting in the limelight. He was one of the toughest blockers on the team and he really is what the Sberna Award means. We played Nano in a lot of different positions and he always accepted his role and was a team player, and that really showed his versatility."

The night's last special award went to freshmen Chris Moore as he received the "Scout Team Award."

"It's important that we get good looks from our scout team every week in practice and we try to reward the kids throughout the season for those that fill in those spots on the scout team," said Nasonti. "At the end of the year we like to recognize the kid that gave us the best effort week in and week out and looks as best as he could whether it's on offense or defense. Chris always gave good effort. It's not easy to line-up across from your first team offense or defense... Chris was one of the first ones out there and he definitely deserves this award."

Nasonti had this to say of his 2009 senior's:

- Ryan Cerulli has been a great supporter to his teammates, a great team member and a positive influence on our team over the years.

- Tony Mazzaro always gave a grade A effort during both practices and games and we could count on him to always put his best foot forward. He was a good team player and had a great attitude and we really appreciate his contribution to the program over the years.

- Jake Sears hadn't played football since the eighth grade he had quite an impact in one year he was a real hard hitter with 48 tackles on the season which is unbelievable that he could come in and contribute like that. He had a great year for us and has a real instinct for the game.

- Zach Cooper has contributed to the program on the special teams and on the scout team. Great kid and we've enjoyed having him in our program.

- Brandon Parsons contributed on our scout team for us and is always a hard worker. We appreciate his efforts over the last four seasons.

- Dre' Valliant made some nice plays for us throughout the year on both sides of the ball. We appreciate his efforts for us throughout the years.

- Ed Haynes started both ways for us and is very coachable. He knew what to do when he caught the ball and we felt like he should have been put on the all-honors team somewhere. We're sad to see him graduate.

- Ken Marin was on his way to having a really nice season with us until it was cut short with a broken leg at Clyde in week three. He has good athletic skills, he's quick and tough and was an excellent special teams player over the past two seasons. He has a great attitude and an excellent team player and I'm sad to see him leave us.

- Nick Baptista did a great job in the weight room and is very strong. He never missed a practice and was among the league leaders in quarterback sacks. We really appreciate his efforts over the past four years.

- Jake Schlottag was a solid performer on both sides of the ball and did a great job in the weight room. He always played to his potential and had a great attitude and will be missed next year.

- Josh Cmar was a two-way starter for us and is one of the strongest players on our team. One of the most committed players that I've had in my 19 years. The first one in the weight room... the last one to leave. He's really an awesome kid and he can't stand the thought of missing a workout.

- Tommy McPeak had his best game of the year at Clyde. Missed his last two games due to an injury but still earned the respect from the coaches in the league by being named Second-Team All-NOL.

Earning their third-year varsity award were senior's Cmar, McPeak, Valliant, Wagner and Watson.

Earning their second-year varsity award were senior's DeBlase, Haynes, Marin and Baptista. Junior's earning their second-year varsity award were Joey Ball, Mike Bodyke and Jeff Roth. Miles Foos earned his second-year award as a sophomore for the 2009 season.

Earning their first-year award were senior's Cerulli, Cooper, Jarvis, Mazarro, Mott, Parsons, Schlottag, Sears and Zieber. Junior's were Seth Berkey, Ryan Branco, Tim Brown, Adam Manner and Sean Reineck. Sophomore's were Brendan Adkinson, Nathan Boyer, Anson Hupp, Winston Hupp, Dan Lewis, Luke Lyden and Matt Sieger. Jalen Santoro was the lone freshmen to receive his first-year varsity award.

Earning their varsity participation were junior's Angelo DeBlase, Josh Herman, John Sochko and Theren Vickery. Freshmen Sam Ish received her participation award.

Junior varsity awards went to sophomores Trevor Beck, Ray Butcher, Damon Cheek, Nick Fleury, Devin Hunter, Nate Irons, Zack Irons, Jake Lukas, Josh Lukas, Caleb Manlet, Matt Newland, Clay Schoen, Jim Thompson and Luke Weiner. Two freshmen earned their junior varsity numerals in Moore and Derek Smith.

Freshmen awards went to Brennan Bloomberg, Travis Brake, Tevin Coley, Matt Dudek, Evan Englehart, Dylan Hall-Farmbrough, Dalton Jarvis, Alex Manner, Jake Miller, Bryce Mira, Austin Perry, Nick Raifsnider, Seth Ramey, Cody Richardson, Matt Rowland, Wyatt Ruck, Wyatt Schalk, Jared Singleton, Trent Staam, Ryan Vannest, Ryan Veliz, Trevan Walker, Tyler Wilson, Bryan Zeller and Adam Zuk.

Managers for the 2009 season were Dean Frisch, Jake Schnee, Mike Englund, Chase Gore and Dakota McPeak.