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As the exciting fall conference season concludes, DICK’S Sporting Goods proudly celebrates the historic achievements of 2025 GMC Football. The Greater Miami Conference continues to showcase some of Ohio’s finest football talent. With 8 of 10 conference schools qualifying for the OHSAA playoffs, the GMC once again demonstrated its remarkable depth and strength.

As the regular season came to a close, GMC head coaches gathered to select the “best of the best” from an impressive list of standout players and performances in 2025. This year, Lakota East senior running back Ryder Hooks was named the conference’s Offensive Player of the Year, while Oak Hills senior linebacker Max Rhodes earned Defensive Player of the Year honors. Andre Parker, head coach of the GMC champion Princeton Vikings, was recognized as GMC Coach of the Year. Ironically, both the “Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year” saw critical duty on the opposite side of the ball.  A testament to their overall athletic value to their teams.

Without question, Thunderhawk running back Ryder Hooks dominated the rushing title in 2025. He set a Lakota East record with 2,032 yards on 220 carries, outdistancing Hamilton’s Andre Bailey (1,277 yards) by a remarkable 755 yards. Hooks delivered results rarely seen in the GMC, averaging 169.3 yards per game and an astounding 9.3 yards per carry. He also contributed 25 receptions for 400 yards and three touchdowns, totaling 22 offensive touchdowns overall, while providing critical minutes in the Thunderhawk secondary with 3 critical interceptions.

A high-caliber GMC athlete, Ryder Hooks has earned first-team all-conference honors for three consecutive seasons, cementing his legacy as one of the league’s premier performers.

Ryder Hooks – Lakota East Thunderhawks  “GMC Offensive Player of the Year”

(Photo compliments of Lakota East SID, Dan Hilen)

A dominant force for the Oak Hills Highlanders on defense, senior linebacker Max Rhodes, led a vastly improved defense to take its place amongst the best in the conference. Rhodes, a three-time All-GMC first team performer, logged 115 total tackles and 35 assists this season which placed him third in the conference with 80 of those being solo takedowns. Playing aggressively, Rhodes piled up 4.5 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss this season. Max Rhodes also saw duty on the offensive side of the ball as a selfless player willing to “roll up his sleeves” to block for others.

Max Rhodes – Oak Hills Highlanders “GMC Defensive Player of the Year”

(photo compliments of the Oak Hills Athletic Department)

The highest compliment a head coach can receive is the recognition of his peers for a job well done. Such is the case with Princeton Vikings Head Coach Andre Parker. Selected by his fellow coaches as the GMC Coach of the Year in both 2023 and 2025, Parker has guided the Vikings to an impressive 25–2 conference record over the past three seasons.

Under his leadership, Princeton has captured three consecutive GMC Football Championships (shared with West in 2024). Entering the OHSAA playoffs as the fourth seed among Greater Cincinnati teams, the Vikings advanced to the Regional Semi-Finals—the “Sweet Sixteen”—before bowing out to the top-seeded Elder Panthers.

In recognition of both Princeton’s 2025 success and the program’s continued development, GMC head coaches once again honored Andre Parker as the GMC Coach of the Year.

Andre Parker – Princeton Vikings “GMC Coach of the Year”

(Photo compliments of Princeton Athletic Department)

After a remarkable 2025 campaign, the Middletown Middies posted a strong 7–2 GMC record and an overall 11–3 mark, including their playoff run. The Middies ultimately bowed out of the OHSAA Football Playoffs with a 21–6 loss to St. Xavier. As they climbed the OHSAA playoff mountain, the Middies reached the program’s first-ever “Final Four” in school football history. Middletown finished the regular season in second place in the conference and stood as the only GMC team to blemish Princeton’s championship record of 8–1.

Powered by a high-octane offense that averaged 288 yards per game, the Middies lit up the scoreboard with 327 total points. They paired that production with a rock-solid defense, leading the league by allowing just 173.6 yards per game and holding opponents to only 9.0 points per contest.

Congratulations to the entire Middletown football program on a tremendous 2025 season and an exciting tournament run.

In a classic showdown between two powerhouse programs, the Middletown Middies battled the Wayne Warriors for four hard-fought quarters before finally punching their ticket to the OHSAA State Championship “Final Four.” In a game that truly went down to the wire, the Middie ball hawks capitalized on a late Wayne turnover, driving in a touchdown as time expired to secure a dramatic 21–14 victory over an exceptionally talented Warriors squad. This marks the first time in Middletown’s storied football history that the program has earned a coveted spot in the “Final Four.”

The Middies will take on Region 4 champion St. Xavier on Friday, November 28th at Dayton's Welcome Stadium with game time 7:00 PM.

OHSAA "Final Four" Tickets: Middletown vs. St. Xavier Tickets

Final Four bracket details: OHSAA Final Four Bracketology

Hamilton Athletic Department Press Release:

The Hamilton High School Athletic Department and the Hall of Fame committee are pleased to announce the members of the 29th class of the Hamilton City School District Athletic Hall of Fame. 

These inductees will be introduced at halftime of the Boys Basketball game vs. Mason on Friday, January 30, 2026, followed by the induction dinner on Saturday, January 31, 2026. The banquet will be held at the Washington Event Center, Hamilton, Ohio, with a social hour beginning at 6:00 pm and the dinner beginning at 7:00 pm. Tickets for the banquet are available for $50.00 each and will be available for purchase online at Hometown Ticketing. 

Members of this year’s induction class include: 

• RANDY ANDERSON- GARFIELD HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1976
• TYLER ELKINS- HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2005
• IAN EMMONS- HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2003
• JOEY GADD- HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2003
• BENNETT KOWALK- HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2002
• JIM LACEY- HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1958
• CASSIDY HICKS ROELL- HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2015
• DWAYNE STACY- HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL COACH
• BRANDON UNDERWOOD- HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2004
• EJ UNDERWOOD- HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2002

The Middletown Middies shutout Springfield 14-0 to claim their spot in the OHSAA Regional Finals this Friday, November 21st at 7:00 PM at the "Attorney Michael L. Wright Sportsplex in Trotwood.

OHSAA Regional Bracket: Region 2 OHSAA Division I Playoff Bracket

Football Playoff Tickets: Middletown vs. Wayne Football Playoff Tickets

Middletown Middie Football 2025 - Regional Finalists

(Photo compliments of the Middletown Athletic Department)