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Local All-Star High School Seniors gathered for The 25th Annual Jack Arvin Football Classic at Warren Harding High School on Thursday June 18, 2009. Photo by: Geoffrey Hauschild

25TH JACK ARVIN ALL-STAR FOOTBALL CLASSIC

Ben Moody’s MVP performance keys Trumbull’s 12-0 win

By Chuck Housteau

Vindicator sports correspondent

WARREN — Lakeview High’s Ben Moody was fresh off of winning state track championships in the 100-meter dash and the 110 hurdles just a few weeks ago.

It wasn’t until he put his football pads on again last week that the Cornell University recruit realized that football was his favorite sport.

“Once we stepped out on the field in that first quarter, that first series, it just hit me how much fun this is,” said Moody. “I love this sport. It is my first love.”

Moody was named the Most Valuable Player for the Trumbull County All-Stars as they defeated Mahoning County 12-0 in the Mahoning Valley Coaches Association 25th Silver Anniversary Jack Arvin Football Classic.

Moody scored the game’s only touchdown on a 48-yard scamper around right end in the second quarter and the White team pitched a defensive shutout against the Red Mahoning County team.

Moody rushed for 52 yards on 8 carries and caught a pass from Lakeview quarterback Justin Clark for 23 yards.

“To go from track and have that success there and turn around and come back out here with just a few days of practice was just a great feeling and a boost of confidence heading off to college,” Moody said.

Chaney’s Myke Parker was the Mahoning County MVP after he rushed for 78 yards on 14 carries and completed 5 of 17 passes for 46 yards.

“I had fun tonight,” Parker said. “That’s what this was all about. Everyone came out here and did their thing and even though we didn’t win, everyone had fun and it was all about sportsmanship.”

The low-scoring contest had a lot of great defense and not many mistakes.

The Mahoning team dominated most of the first half but could not get into the end zone despite great field position.

The Red team’s Quinton Pirl of Austintown Fitch recovered a muffed punt in the first quarter and returned it to the 17 yard line but the drive fizzled on the Trumbull 10.

Mahoning County’s Matt Krause of Ursuline then blocked a Trumbull punt and the Red team was in business again at the 12-yard line.

Parker was intercepted three plays later by Liberty’s Jamon Wagner to end that threat.

Moody then put the White in control late in the second period with his breakaway touchdown run of 48 yards.

Trumbull tacked on a safety early in the third quarter when Struther’s Joe Balog was tackled in the end zone by Ursuline’s Dominique Cole.

The White team tacked on a fourth-quarter field goal of 32 yards by Niles graduate and Youngstown State University recruit Nick Liste.

“This has been an enjoyable experience on my end and our coaching staff to have the opportunity to work with these great group of kids for the last three weeks,” said Trumbull County coach Brian Hoffman of Hubbard. “The outcome was immaterial.

“Obviously we liked to keep the tradition of Trumbull County winning seven [years] in a row but it was just a fun experience.”

Hoffman praised his team’s defense and strong running game led by Moody, YSU recruit Kyle Stadelmyer of Girard and McDonald’s Alex Sampson who is also attending YSU.

“It was kind of a no-brainer. Keep it simple,” Hoffman said about the trio of running backs the White team harbored.

The Mahoning County team was led by Parker on offense and some outstanding defensive standouts in Krause, Cole and L.J. Stevens of Ursuline.

“It was a privilege to coach these guys,” said Mahoning County coach Tim McGlynn of Jackson-Milton. “We had our opportunities. We had three or four possessions inside the 20-yard line.

“I guess we just hadn’t jelled as much as the other team.”

Stadelmyer, who is projected to be an outside linebacker or safety at YSU, was outstanding running with the football, while Liste who will kick for the Penguins in the fall was instrumental in the Trumbull win.

Liste also booted three kickoffs into the end zone and placed two punts inside the Red 5-yard line to go along with his 32-yard field goal.

“I can’t wait to get started at YSU,” Liste said. “This game gets the juices flowing and getting to play in front of great crowds at home like this every week is exciting.”