3 LaBrae football players receive scholarships

By John Kovach

LEAVITTSBURG — Coach Bill Bohren of LaBrae High announced that three of his best players from the Vikings’ outstanding 2008 season – Cameron Truss, Nathan Elliott and Bryan Watkins – have earned football scholarships.

Truss, a prolific running back, is headed for Bowling Green while Elliott (6-1, 218), a defensive lineman, will go to Walsh University and Watkins, a linebacker, is bound for Mount Union.

Bohren, who guided LaBrae to a 9-1 record, including 5-0 in the All-American Conference Blue Division to win the championship, called all three players “quality young men and an asset to the high school and fooball program [and] represent the best of our championship team last year.”

In fact, one of them, Elliott, has been selected to play in the annual North-South All-Star Football Classic slated June 14 at Ohio Stadium on the Ohio State University Campus in Columbus at 4 p.m.

Bohren said Elliott certainly knows how to play defense.

“He is an excellent down lineman with a great motor and plays 100 percent all the time. He has great speed and really can get to the ball,” said Bohren, noting that Elliott played nose guard and “had 75 tackles, two blocked kicks and nine QB sacks.”

Bohren said Elliott’s selection to the North-South game was well-deserved.

“They pick the [34] best players in North to play 33 best players in the south. They must have seen something special in Elliott,” said Bohren, noting Elliott does not have huge size.

“The difference between [Division] I and D-III is size, and [Elliott] is 6-0, 220 pounds [and] that’s not going to be lineman at Ohio State or Michigan State. His size won’t be a factor at Walsh.”

Bohren said Truss, a second-team Division IV all-state pick, is a special two-way talent whose quickness on the field gives him an advantage.

“Truss can beat you on offense and defense but they are going to use him as a cornerback on defense,” said Bohren, noting that Truss rushed for 1,488 yards and scored 25 touchdowns.

“When he went to [Bowling Gren’s] senior camp in the summer, they played him in at corner and that’s where they feel he is going to help them.“

Truss also averaged 10.9 yards per carry and added eight 2-point conversion runs for 176 total points.

Bohren said Watkins is a penetrating pass rusher.

“He will play outside linebacker a Mount Union. He has the tools. He is an outstanding pass rusher and led us in sacks with 10,” said Bohren. “He’s happy to be there because Mount Union generally plays in the national championship.”

Bohren also pointed out that Truss and Watkins were outstanding basketball players for LaBrae.

kovach@vindy.com