T-M signees Photo Courtesy of jladd

At a gathering of Greater Western Ohio Conference signees, the Rams celebrated Favors (Colorado), Delaney (Bowling Green) and defensive back Jordon Paschal (Louisville), and the three traded playful barbs and optimism about Trotwood’s future.

A topic of conversation was Antwan Gilbert, the Trotwood junior running back who gained 2,576 yards and scored 32 touchdowns, aided by blocks from Favors and Delaney.

“He’s phenomenal,” Delaney said. “He gets better every year.”

When Paschal entered the conversation, talk turned to speed. Paschal is part of the Trotwood 1,600-meter relay team that has set Ohio state records in winning consecutive state championships, making him one of the fastest players in the conference. Asked if there were any on the team who could match him, the players mentioned A.J. Jordan, a junior receiver who is earning plenty of major-program recruiting attention of his own and is also part of the record-setting relay team.

Is he faster?

“Oh, no,” Paschal said. “He’ll be there, if he keeps working hard.”

Powerful Lebanon offense produces

Receiver Chase Cochran (Ohio University) and lineman Elias Sayre (Kent State) both signed to D-I schools from Lebanon, which led the GWOC in offense this season. Running back Trey Bonny is expected to play at Georgetown (Ky.) College, and quarterback Dusty Isaacs shunned potential football recruiters for a baseball scholarship to Georgia Tech as a pitcher.

Looking back, how fun was it to be part of an offense that gained 417.1 yards per game?

“We had such an explosive offense, and it was great to be part of,” Cochran said. “We had so much fun, and I enjoyed every minute of it. We had confidence.”

Preparing for Badgers

Cody Byers finished his senior season at Alter by helping the Knights win a second consecutive D-IV state championship. Then, the Wisconsin recruit hit the weight room.

Byers said he has gained 13 pounds since the end of the season two months ago and increased his weight from 205 pounds to 218 on his 6-foot-3 frame. He signed with Wisconsin on Wednesday, following former teammate Chris Borland, who became the Big Ten’s freshman of the year.

“I’m trying to prepare myself as much as I can,” Byers said. “In the Big Ten, there are big players, and I want to be ready.”

Ball State connection

Xenia offensive lineman Dakota Anderson, Northmont cornerback Quintin Cooper and Coldwater quarterback Keith Wenning all signed with Ball State.

The trio will join a Cardinals squad that continues to recruit the Miami Valley despite the departure of coach Brady Hoke (a Kettering native) to San Diego State before last season. There are seven players on the Cardinals roster from the area: Tight end Ryan Hartke (St. Henry), safety Kyle Kuntz (Vandalia Butler), long snapper Cody Muhlenkamp (Coldwater), defensive tackle Jafe Pitcock (Piqua), defensive end Andrew Puthoff (St. Henry), defensive tackle Pete Rolf (Piqua) and linebacker Lorren Womack (Wayne).

Two to Flyers

Two area players, Centerville defensive back John Ehrensberger and Alter offensive lineman Ryan Cronin, committed to play for the University of Dayton on Wednesday.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7389 or knagel@DaytonDailyNews.com.