Hubbard’s O’Hara set for Ohio Classic

The 6-7, 311-pound lineman will play at Ohio University.

By JOHN BASSETTI

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

COLUMBUS — Size has always mattered for Marcus O’Hara.

He was too big to play on his midget football league team as a 6-year-old.

“He could practice, but, on Sundays, he had to turn his jersey inside-out because he couldn’t go on the field,” his mother, Nancy O’Hara, said of her son, when he was a member of the Hubbard Little Eagles at the time.

Now 6-foot-7 and 305 pounds, Marcus, a recent Hubbard High graduate, will be in the North-South All-Star Football Game at Crew Stadium in Columbus.

Spaite to coach North

Columbiana High’s Bob Spaite is the North coach for the Ohio High School Coaches Association-sponsored game which begins at 7 p.m.

The game will be televised by ONN.

Also on the roster are two Ursuline players — Maurice Jones (linebacker) and Don Hanni (center/tackle) — along with David Rach of South Range (strong safety), Joe Winters of Columbiana (fullback), Justin Powell of Boardman (defensive end) and Nathan Sharp of West Branch (offensive guard).

Winters and Canton McKinley’s Morgan Williams will be the North’s tailbacks.

Spaite is a first-time head coach in the game, which showcases Ohio’s top talent. Spaite was an assistant for the Big 33 all-star game last year in Hershey, Pa.

“We got here Sunday and had two-a-days Monday through Friday,” Spaite said of his squad’s time in Columbus this week. “In all, we’ll have had 11 practices.”

O’Hara will play offensive tackle for the North, the same position at which he was a mainstay for Hubbard under Jeff Bayuk.

Following his high school graduation party last Saturday, the 18-year-old’s life switched into a different mode.

He left for Columbus Sunday morning and won’t return home after Saturday’s game.

Heads to Ohio U.

That’s because O’Hara leaves for Ohio University, where he’ll report Sunday before settling into his dorm.

“He’ll start conditioning and summer classes on June 18,” his mother said of his study toward a bachelor’s in aviation.

Nancy O’Hara said her son was recruited by Carl Pelini, an assistant on Frank Solich‘s staff.

“He’s said he’s been handed both of his dreams,” Marcus O’Hara’s mother said of her son’s love of football and piloting.

In December, O’Hara received the 2006 Mack Truck Bulldog Award from R&R, Inc. as the area’s outstanding lineman.

A few of the early recipients were Mike Trgovac (Fitch) and Ed Muransky and Bob Maggs (Mooney).

“He’s very proud of that award,” his mother said of the 3-foot tall chrome bulldog that represents the culmination of a slow but steady development.

He’s believed to be the first Hubbard recipient in the award’s 30 years.

Nancy said that Marcus, the son of Joe O’Hara of Arizona, got much guidance from grandparents Jerry and Shirlene Deal of Hubbard.

“He was instrumental in raising Marcus,” Nancy said of Jerry Deal — Nancy’s father.

Two brothers are athletes

Marcus has a twin, Anthony, and an older brother, Joey, 23.

Joe played baseball at Potomac State College (W.Va.) and also at Westminster. He’s now pursuing a criminal justice degree at YSU.

Anthony also played football for four years at Hubbard and will enter YSU where he’ll study integrated math education.

Because of his curriculum, Marcus and his athletic-academic advisor have their work cut out at OU.

“Not a lot of football players have gone through the aviation program, so that’s why he’ll be working closely with the advisor,” said Nancy O’Hara, whose son will be required to log flying hours. “They’ll have to make sure he’s able to accomplish both while he’s on full scholarship.”

The previous most recent Hubbard player to be selected to the North-South game was Shaun Lane.

Marcus skipped freshman ball, but was brought along slowly as a frosh on the junior varsity squad. Although a non-starter, O’Hara joined the varsity level as a sophomore, then had his breakout year as a junior.

An uncle, Mick O’Hara, was a standout safety for YSU from 1980-83.

Ultra-patriotic

Marcus O’Hara could tolerate a joke about exceeding the midget league weight limit, but Nancy O’Hara issued a word of caution about her son’s ultra-patriotism.

“His room at home is full of military paraphernalia. It goes right down to his mouthpiece: it’s red, white and blue. But don’t think of standing for the national anthem and not taking your hat off.”

O’Hara’s size also precludes him from piloting a helicopter or fighter plane, but he’s overcome obstacles before.

“There are plenty of aircraft he’s suited for,” said his mother. “Like he’s done all his life, he’s very determined and he works very hard. Things are looking bright. Now, I’ll just keep my fingers cross until he gets through this game OK.”

bassetti@vindy.com