BY JOSH HAGANS
First year quarterback Joey Baughman, 11, shattered records en route to the Third Team All-Ohio.
“I really did not know what to expect because I had never played quarterback in a varsity game before, but I for sure did not think I would be named All-Ohio when we started practice in August,” said Baughman.
The 6 ft 1, 185-pound junior was effective in all aspects of the offense. He ended the season with 1,643 passing yards and 16 touchdowns through the air and rushed for 1,246 yards with 11 touchdowns.
“His numbers will only get bigger next year as the guys around him will get bigger and stronger during the off-season,” said head coach Justin Todd.
With a brand new coaching staff led by Coach Todd, Baughman rose to the occasion and shined in the up-tempo offense.
“The transition was tough considering I had never been in a spread offense before, but Coach Todd worked with everyone all summer and made everyone feel comfortable with the offense and we transitioned smoothly,” said Baughman.
Baughman led the Suburban League National Conference with 2,889 yards in total offense.
Baughman became the first quarterback in school history and only the third in the county to ever rush and pass for over 1,000 yards in a season. He also broke the Medina County record for total offense in a single
game and broke the school record for most rushing yards by a quarterback.
To go along with Baughman’s Third Team All-Ohio selection, he also received First Team All-Suburban League, First Team All-Northeast Inland District and Honorable Mention 2016 All-Beacon Journal.
“I knew he was going to be good, but I did not know he was going to be that good. I saw that he had a strong work ethic and saw that he paid a lot of attention to detail,” Todd said.
Baughman is no stranger to success as he is a two-time state placer and is ranked nationally for wrestling.
Baughman will be the only returning captain for the team. He is part of only a select few to be unanimously voted captain as a junior in all the years Todd has coached.
“After seeing him put up crazy numbers this season, it is going to be absurd what he does next season with the high-powered offense,” said fellow captain, Craig Palidar, 12.
The offense will be returning a majority of its starters and looks to pick up right where it left off, putting up 55 on the scoreboard.
“My goal for next year is to win offensive player of the year for Division II, and have Thanksgiving with my fellow teammates,” said Baughman.
