Buckeye Bucks Football

Trevor Thome’s record-smashing statistics, Hunter Gray’s ability to do the dirty work and Nathan Polidori’s dual-threat skills have officially garnered statewide attention. The Buckeye standout football players were named to the second, third and special mention teams, respectively, when the Division III All-Ohio squads were announced by The Associated Press on Tuesday.

A 5-foot-8, 180-pound slotback, Thome was the heart and soul of a Bucks team that went 10-0 in the regular season for just the second time in school history (2005). The four-year starter posted the seventh-highest point total in Medina County history (176) while compiling 978 yards rushing and 444 receiving despite sitting most of eight fourth quarters because of blowouts. Also a hard-hitting free safety and punt returner, Thome was special mention as a junior.

Gray picked up the most significant accolade in his two-year career after holding down left tackle on one of the highest scoring teams in Ohio (41.7 ppg). The 6-1, 228-pound junior also played defensive end and is a nationally ranked long-snapper by Kohl’s Professional Camps.

Polidori (5-11, 175) was a flashy home-run threat at quarterback, throwing for 1,168 yards, running for 663 more and accounting for 27 touchdowns. He also returned punts and played cornerback in a part-time role. The senior, who broke a school record with 35 career TD passes, was best known for a tremendous performance against playoff qualifier Rocky River, when he had 281 yards total offense (219 rushing, 62 passing), three rushing TDs, one passing TD and a 90-yard kickoff return in the 42-28 win.

Players in The Gazette’s 43-school coverage area to earn first-team accolades Tuesday were Firelands quarterback Brad Thrasher and lineman Aaron Miller in D-IV. The Falcons lost to Buckeye 42-7.