​A versatile football talent is making a move to join the 2025 Akron City Series champions as Marcus Council transfers from Streetsboro High School to East High School for his senior year. The 5-foot-9, 175-pound defensive back earned third-team All-Ohio honors in Division IV a season ago while at Streetsboro, and his impact on the field has earned him a prominent place on East’s roster for the 2025 season.
Council contributed significantly to Streetsboro’s success, helping the Rockets reach the Division IV playoffs in 2025 and cap that run with a victory in their opening postseason game. The team finished the year with a 9-3 record, a testament to the overall performance of a squad that leaned on Council’s versatility and competitive spirit. In the 2025 campaign, he recorded six interceptions, 36 tackles, three pass deflections, and a fumble recovery as a defensive back, showcasing his ability to change the momentum of games from the secondary.
But Council’s influence extends beyond defense. He also starred on offense, serving as a dynamic running back for Streetsboro. During the 2025 season, he rushed for 851 yards and 13 touchdowns on 91 carries, and he added 14 receptions for 100 yards and a receiving touchdown. His all-around skill set makes him a rare two-way contributor who can impact games on multiple fronts.
East High School head coach Marques Hayes praised Council, describing him as one of the most exciting players in the state on both sides of the ball. “Marcus brings a veteran presence and ultimate playmaking ability on offense and defense,” Hayes told the Akron Beacon Journal via text. The new Dragons regime envisions leveraging Council’s versatility to strengthen both lines of East’s performance as they pursue continued success.
Council’s arrival at East comes as the Dragons continue a notable run of postseason appearances. East has qualified for the OHSAA playoffs in each of the last six seasons under Hayes, and last season the team posted a 10-3 record, advancing to the third round of the playoffs after defeating Benedictine 19-7 in Round 1 and then earning a 36-16 win at Hawken in Round 2. The Dragons’ postseason run ended in a regional semifinal defeat, 30-0, to CVCA.
In the 2024 season, Streetsboro eliminated from playoff contention as the Rockets faced a tough challenge in their postseason push, but Council’s presence remained a driving force for the program as a dual-threat contributor who could impact the action from scrimmage to scrimmage.
As Council begins this new chapter at East High School, the Akron metro football community will be watching closely to see how his two-way talents translate to the Dragons’ system. East’s leadership believes their new senior will bring leadership, experience, and a high level of playmaking instinct that can help the Dragons maintain a competitive edge within the City Series and in the broader OHSAA landscape.
The Akron Beacon Journal will continue to follow Marcus Council’s transition and contributions to East High School, including how his presence shapes the Dragons’ offense and defense throughout the 2025 season. Readers can reach the sports desk at bjsports@thebeaconjournal.com for updates, insights, and game coverage as the team navigates the schedule and pursues postseason success.
This report originally appeared in the Akron Beacon Journal as part of ongoing coverage of Marcus Council’s transfer from Streetsboro to East High School to bolster the Dragons’ bid for continued playoff contention and championship pursuits in the Akron City Series.