Ohio stacks roster ahead of all-star game

Photo by Kim North Pictured are the skilled athletes for the Ohio All Stars when they face West Virginia in the 78th annual OVAC Rudy Mumley All-Star Football Game on Saturday at Wheeling Island Stadium. Kick off is set for 7:15. Front row, from left, are Kaden Johnson (River), Trenton Davis (East Liverpool), Koen Eagan (Buckeye Trail), Jason Castello (Barnesville), Mac Mac Pettigrew (Bellaire), Taison Starr (Barnesville), Cole Thoburn (St. Clairsville), Luke Detling (Barnesville) and Ben Wach (Shadyside). Back row, from left, are Jacob Meager (St. Clairsville), Parker Hutton (Harrison Central), Ryan Gigax (Dover), Savier Faulks (Steubenville), JJ Barton (Dover), Sabron Felton (Steubenville), Brady Hastings (Buckeye Trail), Dorian Burchett (East Liverpool), Lee Anthony Sewell (Steubenville), Drew White (Bellaire) and Baron Lucey (Martins Ferry). Not pictured is Kabel Isaly (River).
WHEELING — While West Virginia has five quarterbacks on its talented roster, Ohio selected just two for its squad which has been preparing for Saturday night’s 78th annual OVAC Rudy Mumley All-Star Football Game.
Kick off is set for 7:15 on the artificial surface at Wheeling Island Stadium.
However, the Buckeye State roster is filled with speedy running backs and sure-handed wide receivers.
QUARTERBACKS
KABEL ISALY, River — A first-team all-Ohio Division VII honoree last fall, the 5-10, 165-pounder had a superb career for the Pilots. In his four seasons, Islay passed for 6,387 yards and 77 touchdowns. He also rushed for 1,008 stripes and 20 touchdowns. He finished with 100 career touchdowns, including defense and special team scores.
He completed 67-percent of his passes in 2023 when he was also named first team all-OVAC for a third time.
He will attend Ohio University.
Isaly is the son of Karla and Rick Isaly. They reside in Clarington.
BEN WACH, Shadyside — This 5-10, 165-pounder passed for 3,540 yards and 36 touchdowns while also picking up 1,419 yards on the ground during his career.
He earned first team all-Eastern District, all-OVAC and was an honorable mention on the all-Ohio Division VII list.
Wach will be the third member of his extended family to play in the game, following his father, Curt (1991) and uncle, Mike Coss (1987).
He is the son of Mickey and Curt Wach of Shadyside.
RUNNING BACKS
JJ BARTON, Dover — A dual threat out of the backfield, he ran for 1,925 yards and caught 60 passes for 1,021. Combined he totalled 29 touchdowns for the Tornadoes.
The 6-0, 185-pounder was named the Eastern District Offensive Player of the Year and was a Division II third team all-Ohioan.
Defensively, he charted 61 tackles, 31 of which were solo, and eight tackles for lost yardage. He also recorded three quarterback sacks.
Barton will attend Kent State-Tuscarawas.
He is the son of Jesse and Jason Barton. They live in Dover.
KOEN EAGON, Buckeye Trail — This 5-10, 160-pounder played both running back and cornerback for the Warriors. He amassed more than 3,000 all-purpose yards and scored 23 touchdowns in his career.
He earned first team on the all-Eastern District and all-Ohio Division VI teams.
His uncle, Kyle Carpenter, played in the 2005 game.
Eagon is the son of Kayla and Josh Eagon. They reside in Salesville.
SAVIER FAULKS, Steubenville — This cat-quick 5-9, 165-pounder ran for more than 3,000 yards and found the end zone 30-plus times in his Big Red career.
He was named to the first team all-Eastern District and all-OVAC teams, while making honorable mention all-state Division IV.
Faulks was the Ohio Division II 300-meter hurdles state champion and will attend West Virginia University on a track scholarship.
He is the son of Larai Faulks of Steubenville.
TAISON STARR, Barnesville — He was a two-way standout as the Shamrocks went 10-0 in the regular season, advancing to the Division V regional semifinals.
Offensively, he ran for 1,237 yards and scored 20 touchdowns. He caught 16 passes for 321 yards and six more scores. Defensively, he accounted for 94 tackles, including 13.5 TFLs.
Starr earned second team all-Ohio honors in 2023 and was a two-time all-Eastern District first-teamer and all-OVAC.
He will attend Marietta University to further his academic and athletic careers.
Starr is the son of Kimberly Starr of Barnesville.
WIDE RECEIVERS
DORIAN BURCHETT, East Liverpool — A 6-0, 168-pounder, Burchett was a wide receiver/cornerback for the Potters where he caught 28 passes for 630 yards and eight touchdowns. He participated in 22 tackles and picked off one pass.
One of his touchdown receptions established a Quad County Conference record from 98 yards out.
He will attend Washington & Jefferson University.
Burchett is the son of Michele and Sandy Burchett of East Liverpool.
JASON CASTELLO, Barnesville — Another two-way performer for the Shamrocks, the 5-10, 155-pounder set the school record for interceptions with 13. He was also an integral part of the passing game, catching numerous TDs. He was also a standout kick returner.
He was selected to the all-Eastern District first team and was a Division V all-Ohio honorable mention honoree.
His cousin, Mikey Habig, played in the 2009 game.
He will enter the Mideast Power Lineman Program this fall.
Castello is the son of Jennifer Castello and the late Stacey Castello. He resides in Barnesville.
LUKE DETLING, Barnesville — This 5-9, 155-pound wide receiver/free safety also played a huge role in the Shamrocks recent success.
On offense, he latched on to 110 career receptions for 1,496 yards and 13 touchdowns. Defensively, he picked off seven passes.
He was an all-Ohio honorable mention honoree, earned first team all-Eastern District, all-OVAC and all-MOVL. He was also an academic all-Ohioan.
Detling will become the fourth member of his family to play in the game. He follows his two great uncles, Gary Lucas, Sr. (1962) and Tom Detling (1963); and his cousin, Ty Leach (1990).
SABRON FELTON, Steubenville — A 6-2, 200-pound athlete for Big Red, he saw action as a wide receiver, kick returner and safety.
He had more than 700 yards and 10 touchdowns on just 40 offensive touches last fall. He also charted 82 tackles and ran a pair of kickoffs back for touchdowns.
He will attend Washington & Jefferson University in the fall.
His cousins, Kyjhuan Hokins and Tylik Sims, played in the 2023 game.
PARKER HUTTON, Harrison Central — This 5-11, 190-pound Huskie was selected to the all-Ohio Division V second team; and was first-team on the allEastern District, all-OVAC and all-Buckeye 8 squads.
He caught 48 passes for 728 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior, when he also amassed 65 tackles, three TFLs and picked off five passes.
Hutton will attend Ashland University.
He is the son of Keely and Jeff Hutton. They live in Scio.
MAC MAC PETTIGREW, Bellaire — A 5-10, 160-pound speedster, he scored touchdowns in a variety of ways for the Big Reds during his stellar career.
Be it running the ball, catching the ball, picking off a pass, returning kicks and/or punts, Pettigrew was able to sniff out the end zone.
His brother, Ray Ray, played in the 2023 game.
He is the son of Mary Pope and the late McRay Pettigrew. He resides in Bellaire.
LEEANTHONY SEWELL, Steubenville — A tall target at 6-3, 185 pounds, Sewell caught 20 passes for more than 350 yards and four touchdowns.
He will attend Fairmont State University.
Sewell is the son of Amy Switzer.
COLE THOBURN, St. Clairsville — When the football was in the hands of this 5-11, 150-pounder, good things happened for the Red Devils.
He caught 61 passes for 964 yards and 10 touchdowns; returned 20 kickoffs for 634 yards and two TDs; and ran back 22 punts for 527 yards and a touchdown. He was first team all-Eastern District.
His grandpa, Don Ward, played in the 1969 and was a co-captain for West Virginia.
Thoburn is the son of Stacey and Rodd Thoburn of St. Clairsville.
TIGHT ENDS
RYAN GIGAX, Dover — Primarily a linebacker and edge rusher for the Tornadoes, this 6-4, 225-pounder will utilize his size for blocking purposes.
He received a full scholarship to attend Slippery Rock University in the fall.
Gigax is the son of Jennifer and Michael Gigax of Dover.
BRADY HASTINGS, Buckeye Trail — A 6-2, 205-pounder, Hastings was an outside linebacker for the Warriors.
He will attend Mount Union University.
Hastings is the son of Barbara Hastings and Mike Hastings. They live in Cambridge.
SPECIALIST
JACOB MEAGER, St. Clairsville — This 5-10, 175-pounder connected on 56 extra-points and three field goals during his career with the Red Devils.
He will attend Ohio State University.
His parents are Dana and Jay Meager. They reside in St. Clairsville.