Federal League Names Jonathan Lemon Player of the Year

Perry running back Lemon led the league in rushing and touchdowns while Jackson's Jay Rohr was named Coach of the Year.

Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Football

Federal League Names Jonathan Lemon Player of the Year

The Federal League named Perry senior running back Jonathan Lemon its 2026 Player of the Year, selected by vote of the league's head coaches. Jackson head coach Jay Rohr was named Coach of the Year after Jackson won the outright 2026 league championship.

Why it matters

The honors recognize a standout season for Lemon, who led the league and Stark County in rushing and scored more touchdowns than any other player in the league. For Ohio high school football, the awards highlight the individual and program accomplishments that shaped the Federal League season.

Lemon rushed for 1,766 yards and 23 touchdowns this regular season, averaging 7.1 yards per carry and leading the league and Stark County in rushing. He also recorded 24 solo tackles, four pass break-ups and an interception at safety.

The players

Jonathan Lemon

Senior running back at Perry who led the Federal League in rushing and total touchdowns this season.

Jay Rohr

Head football coach at Jackson who guided the team to the outright 2026 Federal League championship.

The details

Lemon's best game came in Week 8 against Hoover, when he ran for 292 yards, the second-highest single-game rushing total in Perry history. Perry finished 5-5 overall and 3-3 in the league, while Jackson went 8-3 overall and won the outright league title with a 6-0 league record.

Week 8: Lemon rushes for 292 yards against Hoover, a career high.
2026 season: Lemon is named Player of the Year and Rohr is named Coach of the Year.

Season Trajectory

Jackson's outright 2026 Federal League championship and Rohr's Coach of the Year honor mark a notable result in the league's current season standings. The recognition of Lemon as Player of the Year points to the individual performances that drove both the league's top team and its scoring leaders.

Lemon's 24 total touchdowns and 1,766 rushing yards make him a leading figure for fantasy-minded fans tracking Ohio high school football. Jackson's outright league title means its playoff path and any postseason matchups will draw attention from fans following the Federal League.

The takeaway

Individual honors like Player of the Year often reflect a full season's work across the whole team, not just one player's stats. Following the regular-season leaders and final standings gives a clearer picture of how the league's top programs were built.