Monarch linebacker Gabe Powers (right) brings an opposing ball carrier down during a 2020 game. Powers was named the Division I state defensive player of the year today by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association. (Journal-Tribune photo by Chad Williamson)
An athlete who will go down in the books as one of the top football players in Marysville High School history has earned All-Ohio honors.
Monarch junior linebacker Gabe Powers was today named to the All-Ohio first team in Division I.
He was also announced as the division’s state defensive player of the year by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association.
Powers, 6-4, 215-pounds, finished the 2020 season with 81 tackles, including seven for losses.
An Ohio State University commitment, Powers recovered two fumbles and intercepted one pass.
He was part of a Monarch (6-2) defensive unit that surrendered just 14 points per game.
“We’re very excited for Gabe and his family,” said MHS head coach Brent Johnson.
“A lot of hard work and sacrifice went into Gabe earning this award,” he said. “He’s excited about this honor, but he knows it’s not the end.”
Johnson went on to praise Powers’ attributes.
“Gabe is very football smart and is a great teammate and leader,” said the Monarch boss. “He’s a very humble young man and keeps his eye on the prize.”
Powers helped lead Marysville to its first Ohio Capital Conference championship in 13 years.
The Monarchs claimed the top spot in the circuit’s Cardinal Division.
It was the first season for Marysville in that division, after the OCC went through realignment.
The Monarchs had been a member of the Capital Division for a number of years.
Powers, who was also the Division I Central District defensive player of the year, wasn’t the only Monarch who earned All-Ohio honors.
Junior offensive lineman Gavin Rohrs was named to the second-team, while senior running back Ryan Kern earned third-team accolades.
Rohrs helped the Monarchs rush for 2,878 yards in only eight games this season.
The campaign was reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kern rushed for 1,105 of those yards on 150 carries. He also tallied 13 touchdowns.
“These All-Ohio awards are very fitting for Ryan and Gavin,” said Johnson. “They have both worked very hard.
“Gavin was a dominant player on a great line and Ryan rushed for more than 1,100 yards in eight games,” he said. “Ryan was a very tough player for opposing teams to tackle.”
Kern is also in the collegiate recruiting process.
He’s looked at schools such as Ohio Dominican University and Wittenberg University.
“Several other Ohio Athletic Conference schools are looking at Ryan,” said Johnson.