Penn-Ohio tilt slated Friday

BEAVER FALLS, Pa. — Athletes representing 20 schools will participate for the Pennsylvania All-Stars while 19 schools will be represented by the Ohio Stars Friday in the Penn-Ohio Stateline Classic football game at Geneva College.

Prior to the 7:30 p.m. kickoff, ceremonies will be held to show off the new turf that has been placed on Reeves Stadium.

Western Reserve coach Mike Kopachy, coach of the Ohio stars, said, “Our team is excited about playing the first ever game on the new turf, most of the players have never played on turf.”

Both teams continued to practice in high temperatures and humidity this week.

“It was hot at practice the past three days,” said Kopachy. “It’s been brutal, but we kept the kids fresh with water.”

Ohio expects to run

Expect the Ohio team to rely on its running game, with a stable of 1,000-yard backs.

“We have four backs that have been working hard getting ready for the game and as a team, we are excited about bringing a victory home to Ohio,” said Kopachy.

“Nick Puckett of Southern has emerged as the back who will get a lot of [carries] in the game, while Shane Reed of East Liverpool ran [in] a similar offense.”

Kopachy said Joe Winters of Columbiana and J.J. Johnson of Salem will be the short-yardage backs.

The Penn team has a decided size advantage. Denes Veres of Riverside, a 6-foot, 270-pound lineman, will attend Notre Dame on a track scholarship. He throws the shot put.

Mike Berreth (6-2, 205) of West Allegheny rushed for over 1,000 yards last year.

Tickets will cost $7 at the gate.