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Jeff Podolsky: Irish's unsung hero
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FOOTBALL - (10) Jordan Markota pulls in a pass and scores as (33) Jeff Podolsky blocks (37) Mark Murphy during their game Thursday night in Akron. - Special to The Vindicator/Nick Mays
The Vindicator ( Youngstown)
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ROBERT K. YOSAY | THE VINDICATOR..Reaching for a first down deep in Ursuline territory #9 Mooney Clarence Scott and #33 Ursuline Jeff Podolsky brings him down.. yes he made the first down - Ursuline vs Mooney at YSU stadium ... --30-..
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Ursuline's Jeff Podolsky returns an interception against Kirtland early in the 2nd half during their game in Auora on Saturday night. Photo/Mark Stahl
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11.27.2010 Ursuline Football
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Senior Jeff Podolsky may not be a household name, but he is a key component to Ursuline’s success in the state playoffs
YOUNGSTOWN
Jeff Podolsky is not exactly a household name, but he’s not a forgotten guy, either.
He’s the Ursuline player who, defensively, plays strong safety and inside linebacker; lines up offensively as a receiver and who also has the kicking duties. He doesn’t get the glory, but Podolsky (5-foot-7, 170 pounds) makes the most of his talent.
He’s a big reason Ursuline has had two straight championship seasons and is on the cusp of a third.
As a sophomore, Podolsky played special teams, but didn’t get his first legitimate start until the 2008 state championship game. He was told by coaches he’d have a special assignment against Findlay Liberty-Benton.
“They said, ‘We’re going to ask you to do something pretty big now,’ Podolsky said. They wanted him to be the “spy” on Liberty-Benton quarterback Aaron Craft.
As an inside linebacker on the scout team throughout his sophomore year, Podolsky displayed a knack for reaching the football.
“I guess I proved myself in practice and that helped me get that spot,” he said.
“I never would have expected something like that, that’s why it was such a shock. I thought, ‘Really, me?’ It was exciting when they called me aside to do something like that.”
“He’s [Craft] a starter on the Ohio State basketball team now, so he wasn’t exactly a chump.”
The Irish won, 21-0, shutting down a team that was averaging 40 points.
Since then, Podolsky has been a fusion of safety and linebacker on defense and “all over the place on offense” in addition to his kicking duties.
For each of Podolsky’s seasons, Ursuline has had marquee names on its roster, like Jamel Turner and Dale Peterman in 2008, Allen Jones in 2009 and Akise Teague this season.
“Every single guy has been making big plays at every single position,” said Podolsky. “During the course of a game, it’s not just Akise scoring touchdowns, it’s [Jordan] Markota and [Keil’n] Thurston and Mike Zappa on the line pressuring the quarterback and getting sacks. Without them, we wouldn’t have the interceptions we’ve had in the [defensive] backfield.”
He pointed to Jesse Curry and Trevor Smith with 137 and 110 tackles, respectively.
“Both of those guys are big role players on offense, too. The biggest thing about this team is that guys get overlooked because of Akise’s success.”
Although Teague accounts for 270 points, Podolsky has 67 points and Tramain Thigpen 66. In Ursuline’s latest win over Lima Central Catholic, Podolsky had a conversion run and threw a conversion pass to Markota.
Podolsky had three interceptions as a junior and two this year.
“I should have had more, but I had stupid drops which could have been for TDs,” he said.
Podolsky described his main asset on the field.
“With a lot of little guys like me, there’s one major thing and I get told this a lot: ‘You have a lot of heart.’
“People say I’m determined and that’s just from watching me play. They say: ‘You don’t care about size, you just go out and play.’ But I’d have to say my ability to recognize things on the field and remember — my mind, not just athleticism — helps the team. That’s gotten me to the point where I’m at now.”