Valley scores 4 in the NFL

By Joe Scalzo

The State of Youngstown struck again.

Four Mahoning Valley natives were selected during Sunday’s second round of the NFL Draft, a haul that will only add to the area’s reputation as a football hotbed.

Boardman High graduate John Greco, an offensive lineman from Toledo, was the first to go. He was drafted with the second pick of the third round and the 65th overall by the St. Louis Rams.

Two additional players, both from Warren Harding, went in the third round. Eastern Kentucky cornerback Antwaun Molden, who transferred to Cleveland Glenville midway through his senior year, was chosen by the Houston Texans with the 16th pick (79th overall) and Michigan wide receiver Mario Manningham went 32nd (No. 95) to the Super Bowl champion New York Giants.

Fitch High graduate Mike Mc-Glynn was the final selection, going with the 10th pick of the fourth round (No. 109) to the Philadelphia Eagles.

In a small surprise, Mount Union wide receiver Pierre Garcon became the second player drafted in school history when he went to the Indianapolis Colts with the 39th pick of the sixth round.

It was the fourth straight year that at least two area players were drafted. Former YSU coach Jim Tressel, now the coach at Ohio State, dubbed the Valley the “State of Youngstown” due to its football talent.