Central Ohio high school football has a rich history, featuring legendary players like Chic Harley. A poll is open to vote for the best player ever from the region.
Key points
Central Ohio high school football has a storied tradition.
Chic Harley is one of the legendary figures in the sport.
The Dispatch selected 10 impactful players for a poll.
The poll allows for write-in candidates.
Future stories will cover basketball and other athletes.
Football is a fitting place to start the local component to All-America 250 for 250 â USA TODAY Sportsâ celebration of the 250 greatest American sports figures of all time.
The Dispatch has selected 10 high school football players who we believe had a lasting impact on the sport in central Ohio. Their influence extends beyond championships and statistics, although in one case a state-championship-winning playerâs statistics were impossible to ignore.
Later stories will focus on central Ohio basketball players and athletes.
To start, here are our selections for the football players who defined the sport in central Ohio. After reading about them, vote for your favorite in our poll, or enter a write-in candidate whom you think we may have overlooked.
Upper Arlington's Jeff Backes was voted Ohio Mr. Football in 2000 while leading the Golden Bears to the Division I state championship.
Upper Arlington's Jeff Backes was voted Ohio Mr. Football in 2000 while leading the Golden Bears to the Division I state championship.
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Then-Lancaster football coach Rob Carpenter (right) carries Tyler Monk off the Fulton Field turf after a 2018 game against Reynoldsburg. Carpenter also played at Lancaster and spent 10 years in the NFL.
Then-Lancaster football coach Rob Carpenter (right) carries Tyler Monk off the Fulton Field turf after a 2018 game against Reynoldsburg. Carpenter also played at Lancaster and spent 10 years in the NFL.
Rob Carpenter, RB, Lancaster
Carpenter remains renowned in his hometown as much for a 23-year coaching career at his alma mater as for his high school career (1969-72) as one of the Golden Galesâ greatest running backs and having a 10-year NFL career. Carpenter coached Lancaster to six league championships and nine playoff appearances from 1998-2020, including a 10-0 regular season in 2006.
Penn State's Ki-Jana Carter, a Westerville South graduate, runs the ball against Ohio State in 1994.
Penn State's Ki-Jana Carter, a Westerville South graduate, runs the ball against Ohio State in 1994.
Ki-Jana Carter, RB, Westerville South
A Parade All-American as a senior in 1991, the mention of Carter still stirs memories of his rushing for 2,747 yards and 34 touchdowns in his final two high school seasons. Most of that, 1,762 yards and 23 scores, came in his junior year before starring at Penn State and having an injury-shortened NFL career.
Ohio State's Hopalong Cassady helped the Buckeyes secure the national championship in 1954.
Ohio State's Hopalong Cassady helped the Buckeyes secure the national championship in 1954.
Howard âHopalongâ Cassady, RB, Central
A 1952 graduate of Central, which closed in 1982, Cassady was a standout in football, basketball and baseball. He went on to play at Ohio State, where he was a two-way player, an All-American in 1954 and 1955 and the 1955 Heisman Trophy winner. He also helped lead the Buckeyes to the 1954 national title. Cassady played in the NFL for Detroit, Cleveland and Philadelphia.
Ohio State's Archie Griffin runs the ball against Michigan in 1974.
Ohio State's Archie Griffin runs the ball against Michigan in 1974.
Archie Griffin, RB, Eastmoor
Arguably the most beloved football player from central Ohio and still the only two-time Heisman Trophy winner, the first portion of Griffinâs legacy was cemented at Eastmoor. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards as a junior in 1970 and ran for 1,787 yards and 29 touchdowns at fullback as a senior, pacing the Warriors to the City League championship.
Brookhaven's Maurice Hall runs the ball against Independence in 2000.
Brookhaven's Maurice Hall runs the ball against Independence in 2000.
Maurice Hall, RB, Brookhaven
A 2001 graduate of Brookhaven, Hall rushed for 3,057 yards and 51 touchdowns as a senior, including a 411-yard, eight-touchdown performance against Briggs. He went on to play at Ohio State and was a member of the Buckeyesâ 2002 national championship team.
East graduate Chic Harley was Ohio State's first three-time All-American â in 1916, 1917 and 1919. He spent 1918 in the military during World War I. The Buckeyes lost only one game during his tenure. Largely because of his play and the crowds he attracted, Ohio Stadium was built in 1922 and has been known ever since as "the house that Harley built."
East graduate Chic Harley was Ohio State's first three-time All-American â in 1916, 1917 and 1919. He spent 1918 in the military during World War I. The Buckeyes lost only one game during his tenure. Largely because of his play and the crowds he attracted, Ohio Stadium was built in 1922 and has been known ever since as "the house that Harley built."
Chic Harley, HB/S, East
Given that Harley played at East before World War I, his statistics are lost to time. His impact is not. Harleyâs high-school prowess reportedly drew more fans to Tigers games than to Ohio State at the time. Eastâs field is named for Harley, and Ohio Stadium was conceived largely because of his drawing power, although he graduated before it opened in 1922.
Westerville South's Andy Katzenmoyer is pulled down by Westerville North's Keith Griggs during a game in 1995.
Westerville South's Andy Katzenmoyer is pulled down by Westerville North's Keith Griggs during a game in 1995.
East graduate Jim Marshall played 19 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings.
East graduate Jim Marshall played 19 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings.
Jim Marshall, DL, East
Marshall was a football and track standout at East, winning the Class A state title in the shot put in 1955. He then played on the defensive line at Ohio State, helping the Buckeyes win the national championship in 1957 and earning All-American honors in 1958. Marshall played professionally in the CFL and later for 19 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings.
East graduate Bill Willis played at Ohio State and is a member of the college and pro football halls of fame.
East graduate Bill Willis played at Ohio State and is a member of the college and pro football halls of fame.
Bill Willis, OL/DL, East
If not for Harley, perhaps Eastâs field would be named for Willis, who starred in football and track and was recruited to Ohio State by Paul Brown as a two-way lineman. Willis, a member of the college and pro football halls of fame, starred on Ohio State's first national championship team in 1942 and was the Buckeyesâ first Black All-American.
