Staff file photo / Greg Macafee. Garfield’s Keegan Sell plays against Warren JFK this past season on Aug. 26 at Liberty’s Leopard Stadium.

One of Garfield’s most accomplished football talents, Keegan Sell, added another notch to his resume. The G-Men linebacker was named Division V Defensive Player of the Year earlier this month.

“It definitely took a second (to sink in) because obviously, I was excited at first. I never realized that they take one player out of the entire division on each side and it was me for defense,” Sell said. “After I finally realized that I was the one out however many, a lot, and I was definitely excited. I was proud of myself, too. I think that’s probably the most proud I’ve ever been for football.”

In his senior campaign with the G-Men, Sell recorded 210 total tackles, 33 tackles for loss, and four sacks. On the offensive side of the ball, Sell had 127 carries, 1389 rushing yards, and 25 rushing yards. In an offense famous for its ground game, the senior also recorded an additional 184 receiving yards, four touchdowns, and was a perfect 2-for-2 on passing attempts.

Sell helped lead Garfield to one of its best seasons in school history, recording a 12-1 record. The team’s lone defeat came at the hands of eventual state champion Perry in the regional semifinal.

A postseason game in 2020 is where Sell’s journey began. A few good plays against Cardinal Mooney developed into more playing time until Sell became a focal point of the team. Now as an all-state player and the 2023 Division V Defensive Player of the Year, Sell was reminded of all the work he put in to make this happen.

“It definitely means a lot. As far back as I can remember everything I’ve done, whether it was working out or skipping parties, all of that has been for football,” Sell said. I know a lot of people say that but I remember like, my freshman year was during COVID and we couldn’t come in for practice and stuff and I would just work out in my basement. I’d like to think that then had an effect on the awards I got now, even though that was four years ago. I think it all transpired over so I was just very proud of myself.”

A memory that always stood out to Sell came at the Garrettsville Summerfest a few years ago; an interaction with a group of former G-Men that showcased to him how important football is in a community like Garrettsville.

“I remember that there were six older men who came up to us and were like, ‘We’re ready to watch you guys.’ These were former players from the 70s and 80s. It’s stuff like that (that is really special). The community supports everybody so well. I think that’s the biggest thing I gained from football. It’s one big team. And it’s not just the team on the field, but it’s the coaches on the sidelines, people in the stands, the people watching from home. It’s all that stuff. The support we got this year was I mean it was unbelievable. I would say the biggest takeaway from Garfield football is the support and the family you get from it.”

It’s not just football for Sell either.

During the winter, Sell wrestles for Garfield. The experience has been a great learning experience for the all-state linebacker, and while not an easy task to say the least, the extra training has paid off.

“Every time somebody asks me what’s harder, wrestling or football, it’s wrestling 100%. It sucks. It’s terrible,” Sell said with a laugh. “It’s so mental and people don’t realize it. I really think it gets me ready for tough situations in football. When I start wrestling season after football, I’m so out of shape. Football shape isn’t even close to wrestling shape, so I just think wrestling helps mentally and I mean being physical is part of it too. You’ve got to learn how to take people down. You can’t be soft and wrestle, and you can’t be soft and play football so it just translates over.”

Sell is continuing his football and academic careers at Grand Valley State University. On campus, there was a sense of familiarity to home which was a big appeal, and a similar culture to the one he’s known for the last four years.

Thinking ahead, Sell noted that his life after football is just as important, and thinks Grand Valley State offers the best chance to prepare him for that.

“I took a visit there in the summer and I really liked everything that I saw in terms of the campus, the facilities and the field,” Sell said. “Their coaches have been super adamant about talking to me throughout this entire process. I liked the mindset and the things that they carry into their culture, their football program and it’s kind of similar to the stuff that we have here at Garfield.

“I really do just believe that it’s a place where I can improve myself as a person more than anything. There’s a couple schools that have good football programs and that sort of thing, but there’s going to be a life without football eventually, so I’d like to be ready for that and I think Grand Valley State has the best opportunity for me.”

byauger@tribtoday.com