By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

It would be a rarity for Portage County to have a connection to any Super Bowl at any time.

This year, for Super Bowl LX, how about two Portage County natives joining the spotlight of the world’s biggest game.

If you were not familiar before, meet Riley Larkin and AJ Barner.

Larkin is an offensive assistant with the New England Patriots.

Barner is the starting tight end for the Seattle Seahawks.

Barner helped guide the Seahawks to a 31-27 victory over the L.A. Rams on Sunday night in the NFC Championship Game.

Barner is in his second season in the NFL after being selected in the fourth round by the Seahawks in the 2024 draft.

This season, Barner totaled 52 receptions for 519 yards and scored six touchdowns. He also plays a significant role as a run-blocker in the Seahawks’ power run game.

Larkin, who is a former gridiron standout as a quarterback for the Rough Riders and also at John Carroll University, is an offensive assistant with the New England Patriots.

Larkin was hired by the Patriots shortly after Mike Vrabel was named head coach after spending two seasons with the Ohio State University.

The Patriots defeated the Denver Broncos on Sunday, 10-7, to win the AFC Championship Game.

Larkin is pictured in the inset. He is on the far left and is shown with his family following Sunday’s win. Parents

Tom and Amy Larkin, along with his brother Luke.

Super Bowl LX will be played on Feb. 8 in Santa Clara, Calif.

New England vs. Seattle.

ROOTSTOWN WRESTLERS STEP UP

With the recent run of snow storms in Portage County, the Rootstown High School wrestling program stepped forward to help out their community.

The Rovers spent time out in the cold to shovel more than 20 driveways. The group included Nate Marzec, Alex Ely, Mason King, Chase Moyer, Jeff Sanicky, Braxton DeAngelis, Aidan Long, Sam Klem, Trevor Lott and Kyle Reuting.

ROUGH RIDERS CELEBRATE TEACHERS

The Kent Roosevelt High School ice hockey team hosted its annual Teacher Appreciation Night on Thursday.

It is always a special night for the program and the district!

The teachers recognized included: Jay Wilson, Kali Stroud, Tracy Makan, Jake Ferlito, John Roebke, Brent Pfeiffer, Robin Golden, Ang Textor, Leah Wilson, Jeremy Bish, Christina Aronhalt, Eric Homa, John Phillips, Kate Swango and Paula Fisher.

ONE HUNDRED TIMES THREE

It was a special night on the mats last Thursday for the Aurora Greenmen.

Not one, not two, but three different seniors celebrated milestone win No. 100.

The trio who celebrated the accomplishment were Nick Turba, Drake Brasiel and Michael Kennedy.

The program now has 33 100-win wrestlers in school history.

STEALS RECORD FOR CRESTWOOD’S MARTINI

Crestwood’s Livia Martini had a remarkable 17 steals in the a win over West Geauga on Jan. 17. 

It is the third-most steals in a single game in Ohio girls basketball history, but, remarkably, is still not a school or Portage County record.

The Red Devils’ Abby Guyette had 20 steals in a game vs. the Garfield G-Men on Nov. 22, 2023. In that game, Crestwood won 47-44 in overtime.

The third-most steals in a single game in Portage County history belongs to Rootstown’s Nadia Lough, who had 14 in a win over St. Thomas Aquinas in 2022.

SPECIAL SEASON CONTINUES FOR JALYSIA THOMPSON

Ravenna senior Jalysia Thompson set a pair of program records on Jan. 19.

She now holds the single-season blocked shots record at 80 (and counting) and the single-game blocked shots record at 11.

She also had 16 points and 13 rebounds for her second triple-double of the season.

Earlier this season, Thompson set the single-game rebounds record for the Ravens with 30.

SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR AURORA, KENT ROOSEVELT

Suburban League championships have been crowned for the 2025-26 boys and girls swimming and diving seasons.

For the girls, Kent Roosevelt earned the outright championship for the program’s third consecutive league crown.

For the boys, Aurora and Kent Roosevelt shared the American Conference title.

For the Rough Riders, incredibly, it is the program’s fourth straight league championship.

The Greenmen secured the shared title with a 100-85 victory over Kent Roosevelt on Jan. 21.

RIDERS GIRLS BASKETBALL AND HATTIE LARLHAM

For 18 years, the Kent Roosevelt High School girls basketball team has created some of the best friends and biggest fans through their partnership with Hattie Larlham.

Throughout every season, the Riders spend every Thursday night at Hattie Larlham, building relationships that go far beyond the court.

On Jan. 21, the Rough Riders invited their friends to their game against Barberton to be honorary starters and honorary coaches for the game.

Center residents Cevanna, Crashawn, Laekin, Nishi and Wyatt all were honorary starters, while Oakwood residents David, Kathy and Willy served as honorary coaches.