By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

The 2024 high school football season was filled some historic achievements.

From players to coaches to teams.

Here is a look at some of the special performances and how they rank in Portage County history:

SINGLE-SEASON RUSHING

     • Streetsboro’s Cohen Klimak rushed for 1,920 yards this season. The total ranks as the 20th-best single-season in Portage County history. The output ties Ravenna’s Sonny Ray Jones, who also rushed for 1,920 yards during the 1987 season.

     • Crestwood’s Nate Blasiole rushed for 1,871 yards this season, ranking as the 24th-best in Portage County history.

     • Windham’s Jack Eye rushed for 1,763 yards, which ranks 28th all-time in county history.

     • Field’s Drexal McAmis finished the year with 1,698 yards rushing — good for 32nd in county history.

CAREER RUSHING

     • Field’s Drexal McAmis ranks sixth all-time in Portage County history with his 4,815 yards.

     • Crestwood’s Nate Blasiole’s career rushing total is 4,779 yards, which ranks as the seventh-most in county history. The total is also a new school record. The previous record was held by Logan Thut at 4,657 during his career that spanned 2013-16.

     • Streetsboro’s Cohen Klimak finishes his career with 3,697 yards rushing, which ranks 20th in county history. His total is also a new school record, besting Dorian Williams’ 3,559 yards from 2009-12.

     • Windham’s Jack Eye finishes 39th all-time in career rushing with 2,647 yards.

SINGLE-SEASON PASSING

     • Aurora’s Ryan Dwyer threw for 1,886 yards this season. The total ranks as the 32nd-most in Portage County history.

CAREER COACHING WINS

Kent Roosevelt’s John Nemec remains the winningest coach in Portage County history.

However, a couple of coaches are nearing Nemec’s all-time wins mark of 231.

Including the 2024 season, Aurora’s Bob Mihalik now has 212 career wins to sit in second place.

With the third-most career wins, Mogadore’s Matt Adorni has 208.

Other active coaches ranked in the top 20 all-time in Portage County history are Field’s Matt Furino (9th with 108 wins), Streetsboro’s Pete Thompson (10th with 107), Rootstown’s Tom Hannan (12th with 96), Garfield’s Mike Moser (13th with 95) and Southeast’s Patrick Youel (15th with 82).