3 Valley standouts on way to pro careers

One will be a Falcon, another a Raven, and the other a Seahawk.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
Sunday was a big day for three area football standouts as they saw their dreams fulfilled with the opportunity to play in the National Football League.
Doug Datish of Howland, Prescott Burgess of Warren and Steve Vallos of Boardman were all drafted in the second day of the NFL draft.
Datish, the veteran center and co-captain at Ohio State, was selected in the sixth round by the Atlanta Falcons, the 198th player chosen.
Burgess, a former Warren Harding standout who was a mainstay on the Michigan defense at linebacker, was chosen by the Baltimore Ravens, also in the sixth round, the 207th player selected.
Vallos, an offensive tackle who helped Wake Forest to one of its finest seasons last year, was the 232nd player chosen in the seventh and final round by the Seattle Seahawks.
On his way to Atlanta
The 6-foot-4, 302-pound Datish was excited about going to Atlanta.
"Atlanta is a great city, and the Falcons are a great organization," Datish said.
"I really expected to go somewhere around the fourth round, but I'm not disappointed in the least bit," he said.
Datish said he's had experience blocking for an elusive quarterback after two seasons with Troy Smith and feels that will be to his advantage when he works with the Falcons' Michael Vick.
"Those kind of guys make your job a lot easier, because if you do miss a block they're running around back there and nobody really notices," Datish said.
He was the eighth Ohio State player selected in this year's draft.
"That's awesome," he said. "It is just a great tribute to our team, coaches and the university."
Datish will be going to Atlanta this week and will take part in the team's mini-camp that begins May 10.
"I can't wait," he said. "This is what I've always dreamed about doing."
Drafted by Ravens
Burgess (6-3, 249), who was a two-time honorable mention All-Big Ten, said he can't wait to get to Baltimore.
"It's so exciting to be part of a great organization like the Ravens," he said. "I can't wait to get there and can't wait to be part of their great defense.
"I really had no idea when or if I was going to be drafted," Burgess said. "Now I've got to go down there and show them what I can do and that I can be a help to the program."
Burgess said he has to be in Baltimore on Thursday for a meeting and then will take part in the team's mini-camp, which begins Friday.
A little nervous
Vallos (6-3, 290), who was a first-team Sports Illustrated All-American, started all 48 games of his college career at Wake Forest.
"I was getting a little nervous as the draft started winding down, but it's real exciting now that it's over," Vallos said.
"I'm excited about Seattle. I went out there for a visit a couple of weeks ago and really liked it," he added. "They have a kid from Wake Forest [punter Ryan Plackemeier] that they drafted last year, so it will be good to have somebody there familiar."
Vallos said that he wasn't sure where or when he was going to get picked.
"I was told anywhere from the fifth round to a free agent, but then Seattle called, and I was really relieved," he added.
Vallos said he will head to Seattle on Thursday and take part in the team's mini-camp this weekend.