COLUMBUS Nine area players on North All-Star Classic team

South Range's Dan Yeagley is coaching in the game for the first time.
By MARK W. MILLER
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
COLUMBUS -- Nine area players will suit up for the North squad against the South in the 59th Grange Insurance All-Star Football Classic at 7 p.m. today at Crew Stadium.
Six of those players, who are competing in the longest running all-star high school football game in the country, will continue their careers at Division I colleges this fall.
One of the assistants for the North team is South Range's Dan Yeagley, who is coaching in the game for the first time.
"It's a great thrill," he said. "I am so blessed to be around such great coaches and athletes and I am here to learn from these other coaches and players.
"I feel real proud to be part of this and gain this kind of experience."
Two Ursuline graduates will play for the North: offensive linemen Branndon Braxton (6 feet-6, 300 pounds) and Juan Vega (6-3, 285). Braxton will attend Oklahoma, while Vega is undecided.
Others
Defensive backs Ron Stoops (6-3, 190) of Mooney is headed for Michigan State and Bradley Fletcher (6-2, 190) of Liberty is going to Iowa. Fitch's Miles Williams (6-2, 195) will also attend Michigan State.
Offensive linemen Justin Decker (6-4, 285) of Struthers will play at Youngstown State and Will Harner (6-3, 265) of Southeast will attend Findlay.
Representing Trumbull County in the game will be running back Shaun Lane (5-11, 170) of Hubbard, who will play for Coach Jim Tressel at Ohio State. Defensive back Tony Davis (6-0, 170) of Howland is going to Penn State.
"These kids are wonderful," said Yeagley. "The programs they come from are great programs and we are letting them play football and have fun. The kids have picked up on our system, offense and defense, real fast. They are just great players and athletes."
Yeagley said the experience has helped him gain respect for area coaches.
"They do such a great job preparing kids for this type of game," said Yeagley.
Buckeyes-to-be
Seven members of Ohio State's 2004 recruiting class will play, including Lane, Alex Barrow, Erik Haw, Chad Hoobler, Ben Person, Brandon Smith and Sirjo Welch.
"We are proud to bring together the best high school football players in Ohio for the Grange Insurance All-Star Classic," said Jack Rose, coach at Canton GlenOak and president of the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association.
"This is the premier all-star football game in the United States and the last chance to see these high school players compete before many of them go on to play Division I football."
Tickets are $10. The game will be televised by the Ohio News Network.