RB Scott Thomas eyes final game before fans

The West Branch running back is heading for Ashland University.
By MARK W. MILLER
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
BELOIT -- Through three football games last season, Scott Thomas, a running back, averaged 10 yards per carry for West Branch High. For the rest of the season, he was sidelined with a back injury.
Thomas, who will continue his career at Ashland University, will play for the Ohio All-Stars against a Pennsylvania All-Star squad in the 27th Penn-Ohio Football Classic Friday at 7:30 p.m. at West Branch's Clinton Heacock Stadium.
A 6-foot-1, 200-pound athlete, Thomas said, "At practices, I've felt no pain in my back.
"Its nice that I can play one more time before my hometown fans. Hopefully, I'll have fun and play well."
The Ohio squad continues practice Monday through Thursday from 6-8 p.m. at Crestview High. Paul Cusick, Ohio's coach from Crestview, and his staff are preparing the team for the contest.
Penn leads series
Leading 19-7 in the series, the Penn stars hold practices at Blackhawk. Matt Gray of Western Beaver is the coach.
"You hear how Pa. looks down on us, so we want to prove to ourselves and the state that we can compete and play well against them," said Thomas.
Bryan Wright of Salem set a school record by making 7-for-11 field goals last season. He also punted, kicked off and kicked extra points.
He's headed for the University of Michigan where he'll report July 11 for practice.
Wright, who kicked extra points in the North-South game last week, said, "I want to represent Salem well at West Branch, make everybody proud and show everyone the talent we have in Salem."
He said he's kicked thousands of balls this spring and summer getting prepared for college.
"It's a great privilege that I'll get to play Friday with and against great guys who are going to college," said Wright.
Welce set to play
Mike Welce of Columbiana rushed for 1,000 yards and passed for a 1,000, scoring 21 touchdowns. As a defensive back, he had five interceptions last season.
He played in last week's Big 33 All-Star game in Hershey, Pa.
"It was a big experience playing with some of the best players in Ohio and Pennsylvania," said Welce, who will head for the Walsh University camp Aug. 13.
Pennsylvania has a pair of quarterbacks who can move the ball. Jon D'Angelo of Western Beaver threw for 1,350 yards last season, while Dom Henderson of Beaver Falls set a school record completing 95-for-157 passes for 2,183 yards and 19 TDs. He also rushed for 250 and five TDs.
miller@vindy.com