Friday Night Lights: Week 2 Stars

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Big games create big stars, and Week 2 of the Ohio high school football season didn't disappoint. From quarterbacks lighting up the stat sheet to running backs powering their way to dominance, these athletes stamped their names among the state's must-watch players. Here's who stood tallest under the Friday night lights.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='970982' first='Brayden' last='DeVito'] – QB – Shelby – Class of 2026</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DeVito put on a clinic in Shelby's 37-13 win over Lexington. He was nearly flawless passing (9-for-10, 157 yards, 2 TDs) while also dominating on the ground with 164 rushing yards and 2 scores. DeVito's poise and dual-threat ability make him one of the most exciting quarterbacks in the region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='445341' first='Jackson' last='Smith'] – QB – Lakota West – Class of 2027</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Firebirds' young QB was in total command in a 35-13 win over Mason, completing 12 of 14 passes for 284 yards and four touchdowns. Smith's accuracy and rhythm with top receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1093243' first='Tyson' last='Davis'] show that he's emerging as one of Southwest Ohio's most polished passers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Andre Bailey – RB – Hamilton – Class of 2026</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bailey's rise has been rapid. After posting just 170 rushing yards all of last year, the senior exploded for 233 yards and 2 TDs on 28 carries in a dominant 37-7 win over Sycamore. Bailey's vision and physicality give Hamilton a true feature back to lean on in GMC play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Brody Morton – QB – Preble Shawnee – Class of 2026</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Morton ended Ansonia's 22-game league win streak with a masterful performance. He accounted for all five of the Arrows' touchdowns, rushing for 214 yards and four scores while also throwing for another. Morton's combination of toughness and playmaking ability has him looking like a breakout star this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Blaike Jackson – RB – Grove City – Class of 2026</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In one of the wildest shootouts of Week 2, Jackson carried the Dawgs to a 45-41 victory over Westland. He piled up 250 yards and two touchdowns on 37 carries, including the game-winning 3-yard score with 32 seconds left. A physical, durable back with the ability to take over in crunch time, Jackson is the definition of a closer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->