- Canton South's Jack “Poochie” Snyder was named Ohio State's Most Valuable Player.
- This award is presented by the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association.
- Past winners include Kenny Peterson, Ben Roethlisberger and Mitch Trubisky
Canton South senior quarterback Jack “Poochie” Snyder was recently awarded the highest honor by the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association.
Snyder received the Art Tainer Award at the group's annual banquet. This tribute is to the coach's version of Ohio State's top players based on athletic ability, academic ability and character factors.
Snyder broke Stark County passing yards and touchdown records in four years capped by a 14-1 season in 2023. At that time, Canton South went 10-0 for the first time in the regular season and advanced to the Division IV final four for the first time.
Snyder played football, basketball and baseball for the Wildcats and plans to concentrate on football at Sacred Heart University in Connecticut.
Last year's winner was Brock Lowry, who led Canfield to the 2023 state championship as quarterback.
Other Stark County players to receive this award include McKinley quarterback Aliyah Curtis in 2019 and McKinley lineman Kenny Peterson in 1997. Other notable past recipients include Findlay's Ben Roethlisberger in 1999, Glenville's Ted Ginn Jr. in 2003 and Mentor's Mitch Trubisky in 2021.
Tayner was one of the most respected football coaches in Ohio. His long-term accomplishments at Dover St. Joseph included winning the Class A state voting championship in 1965. When St. Joseph and Denison St. Mary's merged in 1970, he became the head coach at Tuscarawas Central Catholic.
