Waterford’s Jones named Defensive Player of Year

Uncategorized Waterford’s Jones named Defensive Player of Year By Jordan Holland November 14, 2026 4 min read Trending Hayden Jones racked up 125 total tackles for a defense that allowed just 52 points in the regular season. For his efforts, the Waterford senior was named the Division 6 Southeast District Defensive Player of the Year by the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association. Jones also had two two interceptions, recovered two fumbles and forced one from his linebacker position. Offensively, he became Waterford's all-time leading rusher. The running back put up 1,093 yards on 141 carries in the regular season. He also caught 21 passes for 281 yards and scored 23 total touchdowns. Seven of his Wildcats teammates joined him on the all-district list. Quarterback Avery Pottmeyer, defensive lineman Dylan McCutcheon, defensive back Finn Pennock and O-linemen Colby Roberts and Tylor McDougal all made first team, while wide receiver Gavin Hiener and defensive back Brayden Smith were special mention selections. Pottmeyer broke Waterford's single-season passing yards record this fall, going 103 for 138 for 1,431 yards, 25 touchdowns and five interceptions in the regular season. He also carried 74 times for 502 yards and five TDs. Pottmeyer was sacked just five times in 10 games, thanks in part to the work of Roberts, McDougal and McCutcheon up front. With that trio leading the way in the trenches, Waterford's offense averaged 6.9 yards per carry and 13.4 yards per completion. Defensively, McCutcheon was tied for the team lead with four sacks to go along with 45 total tackles. He also recovered one fumble. From his free safety position, Pennock notched a team-high five interceptions this season and recorded 59 tackles. Offensively, he caught 10 passes for 212 yards and five touchdowns. Hiener added 18 catches for 295 yards and a team-high seven TD receptions, while Smith finished the regular season with 21 catches for 279 yards and three touchdowns. Smith also had 40 tackles on defense and forced two fumbles. The Eric McCutcheon-coached Wildcats (10-2) were scheduled to face Garaway Friday night in the D6, Region 23 semifinals. In Division 3, a pair of Washington County standouts earned first team all-district status. Marietta running back Braydon Frye carried 177 times for 1,168 yards and 13 touchdowns for the Tigers this fall. In two MHS wins to end the season, Frye, a senior, totaled 47 carries, 483 yards and six TDs. For the Warriors, Murray was the engine of the offense. The junior quarterback completed 82 of 142 pass attempts for 1,112 yards and seven touchdowns. He also carried 186 times for 929 yards and 15 more scores. Defensively, he made 68 tackles, had one interception, forced a fumble and recovered two. Murray's 15 rushing TDs are a single-season school record, and his 22 total touchdowns are the fourth-most ever in a season by a Warrior. In Division 7, Eastern's Blaise Gilmore was named the Defensive Player of the Year. Gilmore, a senior linebacker, posted 78 total tackles, including seven for a loss. He intercepted two passes, forced two fumbles and recovered another. Fellow linebacker Case Barnett intercepted three passes, had two sacks and tallied a team-high 79 total tackles en route to being named first team all-district. Senior offensive linemen Brogan Spencer and Brad Dillon both made first team after paving the way for a rushing attack that posted 3,860 yards and 51 touchdowns on 344 attempts -- an average of 11.2 yards per carry on the year. Junior running backs Kyler Basham and Parker Durst accounted for most of that production and were named first team all-district as a result. Durst carried 138 times for 1,684 yards and 18 touchdowns while Basham added 128 rushes, 1,542 yards and 20 TDs for the Eagles, who finished the regular season 8-2 to qualify for the playoffs. They lost to Shadyside 27-26 in the first round. Two more Eagles -- Gradey Murphy and Braxton Yonker -- were named special mention all-district. Head coach Jason Jackson was named the district's Co-Coach of the Year along with Symmes Valley's Ben Ferguson. From Belpre, which finished 4-6 for the program's most wins in a season since 2019, Malakai Ensor repeated as a first team all-district honoree. The senior tight end netted 28 receptions for 512 yards and three touchdowns for the Golden Eagles, who also saw senior linebacker Jayden Francis (103 tackles, three forced fumbles, one interception) earn special mention status. Federal Hocking, which finished 0-10, was represented by Braeden Hill on the special mention list. Contact Jordan Holland at [email protected].