Ohio wants to have fun in the Stateline Showcase | News, sports, jobs

Morning Journal / Michael S. Burich Members of the 2021 Ohio squad for the 42nd Penn-Ohio Stateline Classic are (seated, from left) Garrett Dozier (Toronto), Vinny Marcino (Edison), Clay Medvec (Springfield), Brad Sloan ( Southern), Troy Carter (Wellsville), Vince Carapoletti (Steubenville Central Catholic), Keaton Baker (United), Andrew Coffee (West Branch), Matt Schaefer (Indian Creek), Howard Williams (East Liverpool), William Hardenbrook (Crestview); (second row) Assistant coach Rich Sloan, head coach DJ Ogilvie, Brutus Ogilvie (United), Nathan Cross (Columbiana), Brock Hillyer (West Branch), Austin Tindell (Springfield), Luke Crumbacher (South Range), Clayton Nezbeth (Springfield .)), Jax Booth (Salem), Tanner Johnston (Beaver Local), Alex Wilson (West Branch), Marco Ferry (Leetonia), Ryan McCullough (Lisbon), Hunter Morris (Southern), assistant coach Mark D’Eramo; (standing) Assistant coach Jim Headley, assistant coach Paul Hulea, assistant coach Mark Brungard, Brady Brungard (Springfield), Christian McCom (United), Brandon Yanssens (Crestview), BJ Pearson (Toronto), CJ Berlin-Bates ( Western Reserve), Gannon Shepard (Leetonia), Colin Bryant (East Liverpool), Cooper Gottschling (Salem), Wyatt Babik (Crestview), Mason Mellinger (Leetonia), Cameron Bryant (East Liverpool), Anthony Bryarly (Crestview), Co- Trainer Dan Render and assistant trainer Eric Potts. The game will be played on June 24th at Patterson Field in East Liverpool. The gates will open at 5:30 p.m. and the introduction will start at 6:30 p.m. Kick-off is planned for 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $ 8 upfront and $ 10 at the box office. Tickets can be purchased from any player or from Radio Shack in Columbiana, Sitler the Printer in Columbiana or Sport Connection in Salem.

As the region’s All-Stars prepare for Thursday’s 42nd Penn-Ohio Stateline Classic, United’s DJ Ogilvie will head the event for the first time in his career.

Ogilvie, who first got a taste of the All-Star competition as an assistant in 1999, said his staff noticed a key element of the Ohio roster.

“One thing the coaches noticed is how smart these kids are at learning the schemes.” said Ogilvie.

But like many All-Star games, coaches may not know much about their squads due to a lack of time.

Ogilvie said he wasn’t sure what his team’s strengths and weaknesses are, but both sides of the ball did an excellent job.

“In practice we will do inside runs and the offensive will look unstoppable. Then we have a team meeting and the defense is suffocating. “ explained Ogilvie.

Ogilvie added that every Ohio player showed up as a leader, that a particular Crestview linebacker has caught their attention since they were on the grid.

“The player I noticed is Willie Hardenbrook (Crestviews). We have him playing at the rush end and also at the tight end. He’s the only one where we play both sides of the ball. “ said Ogilvie.

Hardenbrook had a total of 73 tackles and three sacks for the rebels last season. He also caught 24 passes for over 450 yards and three scores. The senior also had 83 carries for over 900 yards and 10 drives into the paydirt.

A big reason Ogilvie loved to coach the Penn Ohio Classic is the opportunity to spend it with players he coached and his family.

“For me, the experience of coaching three United children. And what is even more fun is that I can coach my son one last time. “ said Ogilvie.

His son Brutus will be Ohio’s quarterback for tomorrow’s game. It was the starting gun for United for an entire season.

The multi-athlete threw nearly 2,800 yards, 26 touchdowns, and completed about 68 percent of his throws during his senior season. Brutus only had six interceptions in 10 games for the Golden Eagles.

Having been involved in soccer for a long time, Ogilvie doesn’t think much has changed with the Penn Ohio game.

“I think our coaching association offers these children a first-class game” he said.

Ogilvie is in his second stint head coaching at United after spending six seasons in Florida with Lemon Bay High. He coached United from 1998 to 2003 and again from 2018 to today. Ogilvie also spent six seasons coaching Boardman.

In addition to winning the Penn Ohio Classic, Ogilvie said there are a few other goals his team is keeping in mind.

“Our goal is to win, have fun and represent Ohio in a first-class way.”

The 42nd annual Penn-Ohio Stateline Classic kicks off at 7 p.m. on Thursday at Patterson Field in East Liverpool. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. with player presentations at 6:30 p.m.

Penn-Ohio Stateline Classic

Ohio’s starting grid

Offense

Quarterback: Brutus Ogilvie, United Local

Traffic jam: Marco Ferry, Leetonia

Split End: Keaton Baker, United Local; Andrew Coffee, West Branch

Slot Machines: Brad Sloan, South; Jax booth, Salem

Center: Brady Brungard, Springfield

Tackles: CJ Berlin-Bates, Western Reserve; Wyatt Babik, Crestview

Guards: Mason Mellinger, Toronto; Christian McCon, United Local

defense

Nose protection: Gannon Shepard, Leetonia

Defensive tackles: Cameron Bryant, East Liverpool; Colin Bryant, East Liverpool

Inside Linebackers: Clayton Nezbeth, Springfield; Matt Shepherd, Indian Creek

External linebackers: Alek Wilson, West Branch; Willie Hardenbrook, Crestview

Cornerbacks: Xathon Cross, Columbiana; Tanner Johnston, Beaver Local

Collateral: Howard Williams, East Liverpool; Brandon Yanssens, Crestview