Ashland secondary has Y-Town touch

ASHLAND -- A strong connection has developed between the Youngstown area and the Ashland University football team, especially on defense in the secondary.
Three of the Ashland's top young defensive backs are sophomore Chris Holland (Rayen) and freshmen Thaddeus Walker (Warren Harding) and Justin Hood (Chaney), while Steven Clinkscale (Chaney) is in his fourth season as the Eagles' secondary coach.
Ashland also has two former Poland players -- Phil Gallo, a senior defensive lineman and is a three-year letterman; and Mike White. a freshman offensive lineman.
Clinkscale, himself a former defensive back for Ashland, said that having three Youngstown players in the secondary was a result of sound recruiting and a good crop of available recruits.
Good recruiting year
"I think this year there were more [high school] prospects, especially Division II players. A lot of years, we'd get one player from [the Youngstown area]. This year we got three [White is the other]," said Clinkscale, who assists coach Lee Owens.
Hood and Walker sparkled in Ashland's 24-0 win over Hillsdale two Saturdays ago that gave the Eagles a 3-5 record, including 2-5 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference entering Saturday's game at Wayne State.
All three players have played in all eight games.
"Justin and Thaddeus played their best games of the season [against Hillsdale," said Clinkscale. "These last two weeks, they've come in and studied film more. They're studying film better and understanding what teams are trying to do. That allows them to play better."
Clinkscale said Walker has a lot of quickness. "That's his strong point. He [is] confident in coverage," said the coach.
And, "Justin plays better every week. He understands what he needs to do and does it."
Among top tacklers
Through eight games, Holland ranked fourth on the team in tackles with 40, including 27 solo stops, with four pass breakups. Hood was eighth with 23 tackles, including 12 unassisted hits; while Walker was ninth with 22 tackles (11 solos) and three pass breakups.
Hood made his first start last Saturday against Hillsdale and had four tackles, while Walker had four tackles and the first interception of his career.
Gallo also has played in all eight games and has 13 tackles, including three sacks for 12 yards.
Clinkscale has developed a reputation for being able to develop young players quickly to play in the secondary.
In fact, his four years as a secondary coach have been marked by playmakers, including cornerback Toure Carter and safety Toby Stepsis.
Carter, a Cleveland native, was one of the nation's best defensive backs as a senior last year, and set a school record and tied a GLIAC mark when he picked off four passes in one game. He went on to be named a first-team All-American, and played in the Cactus Bowl, which was the NCAA Division II all-star game.
Coach converted Carter
Much of Carter's rapid development can be traced to Clinkscale's influence. Carter was a running back his first two years with the Eagles, then under Clinkscale's tutoring became a complete cornerback.
Clinkscale also helped Toby Stepsis to make second-team All-GLIAC for two seasons.
In Clinkscale's four years with Ashland, he has distinguished himself as an excellent communicator and teacher.
While a four-year player for Ashland, Clinkscale capped his career by being named to play in the 1999 Snow Bowl, which was the NCAA Division II all-star game.
Clinkscale and his wife, Jasena, reside in Ashland with their son, Isiah.
Ashland will play its final home game of the season Saturday against Findlay at 1 p.m. at Community Stadium.
kovach@vindy.com