The Malone University football team is pleased to unveil the names of 13 new players who will join the program for the 2016 season.  Head coach Fred Thomas and his assistants are excited to add this group of student-athletes to the initial class of 14 players who were announced in early February.  Additional student-athletes will likely be added to Malone's recruiting class in the next few weeks.

"So far with this year's class, we have been able to make some inroads with local student athletes, not only in Stark County but across Northeastern Ohio," commented Thomas. "Our assistant coaches have also done a great job expanding our recruiting area to meet the needs we have in our program.  Our goal is to continue to recruit until all our needs are met."

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Name	Pos	Ht	Wt	Hometown	High School	HS Coach
Terrance Duckworth	ATH	5'9"	160	Warrensville Hts., OH	Warrensville Heights	Desean Washington
Jeremy Gorby	TE	6'4"	260	Beloit, OH	West Branch	DJ Dota
Zak Hill	T	6'4"	310	Roseville, MI	Roseville	Melvin Richendollars
Dom Labriola	OL	6'4"	260	Massillon, OH	Perry	Keith Wakefield
Willie Lewis III	DB	5'9"	175	Hilliard, OH	Hilliard Darby	John Santagata
Cameron Marshall	OL	6'0"	290	Willoughby, OH	Willoughby South	Steve Nedlik
Skyler Petkosek	OL	6'6"	260	Chardon, OH	Chardon	Mitch Hewitt
Zack Ratliff	DL	6'2"	250	Ligonier, IN	West Noble	Monte Mawhorter
Julian Rivera	DB	5'10"	175	Sarasota, FL	Cardinal Mooney	Drew Lascari
Steven Roberson	LB	5'10"	215	Canton, OH	McKinley	Dan Reardon
Anthony Strait	TE	6'3"	210	Pickerington, OH	Pickerington Central	Jay Sharrett
Von Thomas	DL	6'0"	225	Riverside, OH	Stebbins	Trace Smitherman
Christian Topazio-Ackley	SLOT	5'11"	185	Mentor, OH	Mentor Lake Catholic	Scott O'Donnell

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Player Bios:
 
ATH Terrance Duckworth (5'9" 160 lbs.) – Warrensville Hts, OH; Warrensville Heights H.S.
Duckworth will join the Pioneer program as an athlete after playing quarterback in high school. During his prep career, Duckworth was named All-Lake Erie League (LEL), he was a Captain's Award winner, and Special Teams Player of the Year. Terrance is also a four-time LEL Academic Award winner.

Coach Thomas' Comment: "Terrance attended a number of our games this past year.  He is an outstanding athlete who brings a lot of speed to the table."

TE Jeremy Gorby (6'4" 260 lbs.) - Beloit, OH; West Branch H.S.
Gorby was a two-sport standout for the Warriors, starring at tight end for the football team and center on the basketball team.  A three-year letter-winner for West Branch, Gorby was named Northeast Inland All-District Honorable Mention as a senior last fall.

Coach Thomas' Comment: "We liked Jeremy from the first day we saw him.  I have seen him play a number of basketball games and he is a great athlete who moves very well for his size.  Jeremy has a bright future here at Malone."

T Zak Hill (6'4" 310 lbs.) - Roseville, MI; Roseville H.S.
Hill is the Pioneers' fourth prep product from the state of Michigan in this year's recruiting class. He is a three-year letter-winner for the Roseville Panthers squad starring at both offensive and defensive tackle.  Zak is a three-time All-Macomb county selection.

Coach Thomas' Comment: "Although Zak came to us late in the recruiting process, we are extremely pleased to have him.  He has great size and outstanding feet for a big man."

OL Dom Labriola (6'4" 260 lbs.) – Massillon, OH; Perry H.S.
Labriola was part of the offensive line for a Panthers team that finished as an OHSAA Division II State Runner-up. As a senior, he was named Second Team Northeast Ohio Inland All-District and All-Federal League. A two-sport standout, Labriola also holds the school record at Perry in the weight throw with a 55'6" heave.

Coach Thomas' Comment: "Anybody who plays for Coach Keith Wakefield has to be tough and Dom certainly is an extremely tough football player.  He is a local young man with great feet and great explosion.  Dom will also compete for the Malone track and field team in the shot put."

DB Willie Lewis III (5'9" 175 lbs.) – Hilliard, OH; Hilliard Darby H.S.
Lewis III was a three-year letter-winner and a three-sport athlete at Hilliard Darby. As a regular in the defensive backfield, he helped the Panthers to consecutive appearances in the Division I OHSAA playoffs and was named Second Team Ohio Capital Conference (OCC). In the classroom, Willie is an Honor Roll student.

Coach Thomas' Comment: "Willie is a hard-hitting safety.  He had a very successful high school career and will add more depth to our secondary."

OL Cameron Marshall (6'0" 290 lbs.) – Willoughby, OH; Willoughby South H.S.
Marshall was a two-way tackle for a Rebels squad that made the OHSAA playoffs in 2014 and averaged 36 points a game last fall. In addition to football, Cameron wrestled and was a thrower for the Willoughby South track & field team

Coach Thomas' Comment: "With Cameron, we add another player from the Cleveland area which we feel is very important.  He will add depth to our offensive line and has the versatility to learn multiple positions"

OL Skyler Petkosek (6'6" 260 lbs.) – Chardon, OH, Chardon H.S.
Petkosek started at left tackle and was a three-year letterman for a Chardon team that qualified for the playoffs in each of the last two seasons. Petkosek was named All-Conference and Northeast Ohio Lakes All-District Honorable Mention. In addition to his football prowess, Skyler is also an Eagle Scout

Coach Thomas' Comment: "Skyler is a very aggressive offensive lineman.  He possesses great size and will be able to add weight once he gets in our program."

OL Zack Ratliff (6'2" 250 lbs.) – Ligonier, IN; West Noble H.S.
Ratliff was an offensive and defensive line standout for West Noble, where he served as team captain. He led the Chargers in both tackles and sacks in his senior season.  He was named all Northeast Corner Conference (NECC) and earned the team Defensive Line Award. Zack also participated in the Offense-Defense Youth All-American Bowl in 2014.

Coach Thomas' Comment: "Zack showed interest in Malone early on in the recruiting process.  He played both ways in high school, but has the ability to play anywhere along the offensive line.  He has very good quickness and good hands."

DB Julian Rivera (5'10" 175 lbs.) – Sarasota, FL; Cardinal Mooney H.S.
Rivera excelled at corner for the Cougars who captured consecutive district titles. A member of the 2015 preseason watchlist, Rivera was named All-Area and earned the Cardinal Mooney Most Valuable DB Award. Julian received the perfect attendance award from Cardinal Mooney and also volunteers for the Wounded Warriors Project.

Coach Thomas' Comment: "Julian is a very good press corner with great feet.  He breaks on the ball very well."

LB Steven Roberson (5'10" 215 lbs.) – Canton, OH; McKinley H.S.
Roberson starred at middle linebacker for a Canton McKinley squad that qualified for the OHSAA playoffs in 2015. A two-year letter-winner for the Bulldogs, Roberson totaled a team-high 12 tackles for loss in his senior season.  Steven is also a McKinley Scholar-Athlete.

Coach Thomas' Comment: "Steven will play either linebacker or strong safety for us.  He has great quickness and is a very tough football player, which is typical of a guy from Canton McKinley."

TE Anthony Strait (6'3" 210 lbs.) – Pickerington, OH; Pickerington Central H.S.
Strait will transition to tight end after starting for two years at center for an OHSAA Division I Pickerington Central squad. The offensive co-captain anchored the offensive line for a team that qualified for the playoffs in each of the last two seasons, including an undefeated season in 2014. In the classroom, Anthony is an Honor Roll Student.

Coach Thomas' Comment: "Anthony adds much needed depth at the tight end position.  He is a versatile tight end that we can use in a number of different ways."

DL Von Thomas (6'0" 225 lbs.) – Riverside, OH; Stebbins H.S.
Thomas lettered three times for Stebbins as a two-way interior lineman. He blocked for a pair of 1,000 yard rushers and totaled six sacks in his senior season. Von served as the Indians' team captain and was a four-time Scholar Athlete Award winner.

Coach Thomas' Comment: "Von will start playing inside at defensive tackle for us.  He is a very physical young man who runs well."

Slot-Back Christian Topazio-Ackley (5'11" 185 lbs.) – Mentor, OH; Lake Catholic H.S.
Topazio-Ackley excelled at wide receiver for the Cougars where he was named OHSAA Division III All-Ohio Special Mention, First Team All Northeast Lakes All-District, First Team North Coast League, and the Lake County Touchdown Club Offensive "Special Player." In the classroom, Christian is a four-year member of the Honor Roll and a Presidential Award recipient for 100 hours of community service.

Coach Thomas' Comment: "Christian is a quick slot receiver with very good hands. He comes to us from a very successful high school program at Mentor Lake Catholic."