Upper Sandusky managed something this season that the program hadn't accomplished in eight years.
With its 7-4 record and first playoff appearance since 2004, the Rams were able to make a statement in 2012.
By landing defensive lineman Ian Baker and linebacker Tylor Pritchard on the Division IV All-Ohio third team, a statement was made about them. It was the first time the Rams had anyone on the all-state list since that '04 season.
Baker, who registered 101 tackles in the regular season, had one statistic that stood out: He blocked four punts.
"A lot of the credit has to go to his position coach, who is Russell Hall," Upper Sandusky coach Jake Moyer said. "Ian is not the swiftest kid, but he can take perfect angles to the ball."
Moyer said the key to Baker's punt-blocking came after he got his first one.
"Once he got his first one, he wanted to block all of them," Moyer said. "He actually almost had two more."
The coach said Baker became a better defensive end because he was so coachable.
"He was able to take the techniques coach Hall has given him, which are actually techniques college coaches use, and he used them to enhance his ability," Moyer said. "He became a very good defensive end. Very good."
Pritchard, who is also Upper Sandusky's starting quarterback, finished the season with 132 tackles and two interceptions. He also put up big numbers at QB, rushing for more than 800 yards and throwing for 1,262 yards.
Moyer said the fact that he submitted the junior for district consideration as a linebacker didn't mean Pritchard was not as good as a quarterback.
"I look at him pretty much equally on both sides of the ball," Moyer said. "But he has that linebacker mentality that he brings to the quarterback position.
Moyer said opposing coaches were complimentary of Pritchard's skills at LB throughout the season, and he believes Pritchard has only "scratched the surface."
In Division III, Bellevue quarterback Jalen Santoro was named co-offensive player of the year. Santoro leads Bellevue into the state title game against Akron St.Vincent-St. Mary Saturday.
