Photo by: Geoffrey Hauschild

The Vindicator (Youngstown)

Photo

Akise Teague runs downfield through the snow during a drill at Ursuline's football practice at Stambaugh Stadium on Wedesday December 1, 2010.

Photo by: Geoffrey Hauschild

The Vindicator (Youngstown)

Photo

Akise Teague is hoisted onto the shoulders of his teamate after being named Mr. Ohio during Ursuline's football practice at Stambaugh Stadium on Wedesday December 1, 2010.

YOUNGSTOWN

Mr. Universe. Mr. Coffee. Mr. Rogers. Mr. Right. Mr. T.

They’re all great or respected titles, names or brand names, but now there’s one mister who can’t miss.

That’s Akise Teague, the speedy Ursuline High running back who was named Ohio’s Mr. Football for 2010, announced by The Associated Press on Wednesday.

For having gained 2,226 yards and for having scored 43 touchdowns in leading the Irish to a 14-0 record and appearance in the Division V state championship game, the 5-foot-8, 176-pound senior took the honor.

Teague’s in a league of his own.

“It’s a really big deal,” Teague said. “I couldn’t have gotten this far, especially without my line and the rest of my team,” he said, giving his personal achievement a team-effort twist.

Teague, who just turned 19 on Nov. 30, considers explosiveness his best physical quality. Although he plays defensive back, his identity has been chiseled on offense.

“I’d like to be known as a scatback with power,” said the player who is dangerous whether he takes a handoff, makes a reception out of the backfield or catches a pass on the fly downfield.

To personify his play: the backfield is his dime, the line of scrimmage is his dollar and the end zone is his domain.

Ursuline also had a Ms. Basketball when Tyra Grant won in 2006.

Teague’s mindset for his last high school game is simple: “I’m ready to put points on the scoreboard and win the game.”

Coach Dan Reardon said Akise is an exceptional young man.

“He has worked very hard to put himself in this position. It’s nice to see a young kid work real hard, then reap the rewards of that hard work. He’s a kid who has improved in so many ways: athletically and academically. He’s continually improved throughout the course of his career. To see him have this level of success is very gratifying as a coach.”

Doesn’t the team share in the glory?

“Our offensive line is a huge, huge part of that reward, while the rest of his teammates — the quarterback, the receivers and the other running backs — have done a great job helping open holes for him, blocking for him and getting him the football,” Reardon said.

“He’d be the first person to tell you it’s a team award — the level of success he’s had is directly attributed to the rest of his teammates.”

Teague — a speedy, shifty and sometimes spinning dynamo — made his first start a couple games into his sophomore season, then became a full-time, two-way guy as a junior.

Last year, Teague played part receiver/part running back, whereas Allen Jones was a full-time running back. At times, both were in the backfield at the same time.

“Akise had to play some receiver as well and he still does that for us this year at times,” Reardon said.

Unlike Ursuline’s path to the crown with an 11-3 record last year, the coach can’t pinpoint any bumps.

“Fortunately, we’ve had 14 ups this year,” Reardon said. “We had some adversity at times in specific ball games, but, throughout the course of the season, you have to manage injuries and things like that. We were able to come out and still be undefeated at this point and that’s a credit to the kids and the coaches alike.”

The Irish were on the brink of elimination against Kirtland in 2008, but one big play saved the day. No such game was necessary this year.

With another unbeaten season and a third straight crown at stake, Reardon said that the pressure is perpetually present.

“I don’t know what Coldwater’s mindset is, but we were in a similar situation last year when we had three losses playing in the championship game. We were a team that got better as the year went on. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to perform well regardless what week it is, but especially when you’re this deep in the playoffs.”