Doing double duty is a snap for Mount Union's Watson

The ex-Austintown Fitch standout played in secondary and long-snapped.
ALLIANCE -- Mount Union's Ross Watson has a secret.
If the Purple Raider fans sitting in the stands found out, they might not be happy. That's because if the cat was out of the bag, it only means that something has gone terribly wrong.
Everyone knows that Watson is a starting defensive back for a defense that entered Saturday's NCAA Division III national semifinal against Mary Hardin-Baylor giving up just 8.7 points per game.
But what most don't have a clue about is that Watson, an Austintown Fitch High graduate, is even more valuable when the Mount Union defense isn't on the field.
As the Purple Raiders' long snapper, the junior has perhaps the most important job on the team. If he messes up, the whole team pays for it. One bad snap can potentially serve as the turning point in any game.
His position is DB
Long snapping is about speed and accuracy. Not just anyone can do it. And not too many players even want to. It's not the most glamorous position on the field but if done correctly, a good long snapper can be the difference between victory and defeat.
If someone asked Watson what position he plays for the Purple Raiders, his answer wouldn't be long snapper.
"I'm a DB," said Watson, who has started all 14 games this season for Mount Union in the secondary. "I was recruited as a defensive back, but they knew I could long snap too. In fact, that's how I first got on the field as a Purple Raider."
As a freshman, Watson served as Mount Union's long snapper on punts. Ever since, he has handled that duty, in addition to playing defense.
"It's great to be able to do it and help the team in that way," Watson said. "I'm proud that it's something I can do, because it's not something that anyone can pick up a football and do."
Watson has snapped on all Mount Union punts this season, including all six against Mary Hardin-Baylor in Saturday's national semifinal.
The results have been pretty good. The Purple Raiders haven't had a punt blocked this season in 37 attempts. And Watson hasn't had an errant snap.
Coaches measure snap speeds in tenths of a second. As a general rule, a 15-yard punt snap must get to the punter's hip in no more than eight-tenths of a second. If it's slow or off target, there's risk of a block.
For the most part, long snappers want to remain anonymous. If people know their name, they probably did something wrong. Generally, staying unknown is the ultimate goal.
Watson doesn't get nervous when it's time to fire one back to the punter.
Practice makes perfect
"I don't really think about the pressure," he said. "One of the first things coach Kehres said to me was 'You better not mess up the snaps.'
"That's kind of stayed with me every time I go out there."
The first 20 minutes of every Mount Union practice is dedicated to special teams. Watson spends that time practicing his long snapping with the punter and the punt return unit.
Watson first started long snapping his sophomore year at Fitch. The team was looking for a long snapper, so he volunteered to try it. He was a natural. The first time he tried it, he delivered a perfect spiral. The rest is history.
"I guess I just developed it over time," said Watson. "It's not that much different than throwing the ball. You just have to get the ball back there as fast as you can, protect the kicker and get down the field for coverage."
Now that his secret is out, Watson doesn't mind. He knows that his special skill is one that most won't notice -- until he puts one over the punter's head.
"I just try to do what I can to help the team," he said. "It's important that I do a good job because there's nothing like a big special teams mistake that turn a game around."