HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Support our area teams
because it’s just a game
Fanfare:

Here we go again!

After the past couple of weeks we are now been hearing from the real sports fans of the valley. Letters about how unfair it is that smaller schools teams have to play Ursuline and Mooney and how they recruit, etc. Well guess what, get over it! This is only high school sports, not the College or the NFL. As a graduate of Boardman High school in the early 80’s, I have heard it all about the parochial schools. It is time that the true sports fans of the Valley rally around all the sports teams of the area. Sure you have your alliance to your school, I still do, but when you get beat, life does go on and you support the teams moving on to the state playoffs.

I remember the days when Boardman grad Bernie Kosar went to the NFL, all I heard from people was the jealous side of sports, he to slow, he throws side arm, etc. Well who care, he is in the NFL, be proud of that fact and that they mention Youngstown when talking about him. I was at the University of Notre Dame this spring with my son and we got a chance to talk with some players for the Irish, one happened to be John Ryan from Cleveland St. Ignatius, when I told him we were from the Boardman area, he asked my son if he was going to play football at Mooney, not Boardman that plays Ignatius every year in football, but Mooney because of their reputation as a fine football program. I wasn’t bitter.

When you look at who teams play in high school football, teams like Mentor, a Division I power doesn’t have to schedule a Division IV school, they do because they want to play the best. When scheduling your games, don’t complain to the newspaper about having to play team in the playoffs, tell your Athletic Director to schedule a Division 2 school like Canfield or Poland. Play the best to be the best.

As shown the past weekend, any small school can step up to the plate and knock off the best, you just have to want it deep inside. I congratulate Youngstown Ursuline and Youngstown Cardinal Mooney for their fine football seasons and representing our valley this past weekend, as I would if it was Poland, Canfield, Austintown, South Range or any other local team. Remember, it’s just a game!

Kraig Kesner

Boardman

Editor’s note: All sides have had a chance to make their points in this debate. It’s time to move on.

NCAA FOOTBALL

What losses spoiled
YSU’s playoff chances?

Fanfare:

I would like to try to understand the FCS At-Large Qualifier playoff selection process. 

During the past season YSU was ranked 16th in the FCS Coaches Poll while Eastern Illinois an At-Large Qualifier was ranked 17th.  In the Sports Network Poll, YSU was ranked 15th while At-Large Qualifiers New Hampshire & Eastern Illinois were ranked 17th & 18th, respectively. 

The Sagarin college football ratings which utilize a numerical measure of the team’s strength had YSU ranked 11th among FCS teams while New Hampshire was ranked 17th, Eastern Washington was ranked 21st & Eastern Illinois was ranked 50th. 

Is it the responsibility of the respective athletic departments to campaign for there institutions to ensure consideration for an At-Large Qualifier bid?  I don’t believe that YSU received proper consideration for post-season play with losses to Ohio State, the number one ranked team in FBS; Northern Iowa, the number one ranked team in FCS; Southern Illinois, the number four ranked team in FCS & Illinois State, the only non-ranked loss of the season.

Ron Kissel

Perrysburg, Ohio

Three area OSU players
were Willis’ teammates

Fanfare:

On November 27, 2007, Bill Willis of Ohio State University football fame passed away.

It is of interest to note the local connection with this legendary figure who was revered on and off the gridiron. I am confident of being correct in stating that only three individuals in our immediate area had the honor of being a teammate of Willis.

In 1942, Bill Willis, as a sophomore lineman, was a part of the OSU national championship team as well capturing the Big Ten crown. A local young man, Carmen Naples of Rayen School, also was a member of that team.

Two 17-year-old players out of Campbell Memorial joined the OSU team of 1944 after being recruited by prominent coach Paul Brown.

Troian Dendiu and I had the honor of playing with Bill Willis. Both of these Campbellites never dreamed of what was to happen during this ‘44 football season. Our team was undefeated, captured the Big Ten title and went on to be ranked second nationally behind the great Army team.

These two Red Devils saw plenty of action playing along side Bill Willis and three others to be selected All-American as well as Les Horvath being awarded the Heisman Trophy, OSU’s first.

Over the years we had continued to be in touch with Willis through periodic reunions. We will miss him.

Most Cleveland Browns’ fans remember Willis as being named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Bill Wills went on to dedicate his life’s work to the youth of Ohio as head of the Ohio Youth Commission.

Gene K. Janecko

Campbell