Sharkey excited about return to Barberton

By Greg Gulas

sports@vindy.com

BOARDMAN

It’s been an emotional rollercoaster for Jeff Sharkey the past 10 days.

Since being named the football coach at his alma mater, Barberton High, Sharkey has experienced the high of restoring the Magic’s once-proud football program; the school where his father, Rudy, had a three-decade association as either coach or athletic director.

His remorse, however, comes in leaving behind unfinished business at East Palestine where as coach the past three years he helped guide the Bulldogs to the school’s second playoff appearance.

Speaking to the Curbstone Coaches during Monday’s weekly luncheon meeting at the Blue Wolf Banquet Center, Sharkey discussed the challenge that awaits him at Barberton.

“I’m excited and scared at the same time in regards to becoming the head football coach at Barberton High,” he said. “The challenge of trying to turn around a highly successful program that has had some lean years will be tough for one very big reason.

“You know everyone there so you better get the job done. There will be no fooling anyone,” he said.

Grabbing Sharkey’s immediate attention, however, is choosing a team (which is almost complete) for the Penn-Ohio all-star game, scheduled to be played June 25 at West Branch’s Clinton Heacock Stadium.

Begun in 1980, proceeds from the game will help fund 11 $500 scholarships.

“The game has grown over the years as we alternate sites between the two states,” he said. “With over 4,500 expected to attend and a $25,000 operating budget, we’re always looking for sponsors.

“I have been a member of the Quad County Football Coaches Association for six years now, serving as an assistant coach two years ago and now as head coach. This is the fourth all-star game in which I will coaching and I can honestly say that there is no other post-season game as competitive or treats the team and its staff members in such a first-class manner,” Sharkey said.

“The key thing is the selection of players and that process is almost complete. We will take at least one player from every school in the association.”

Sharkey said there is a big difference between coaching in the regular season and then in an all-star game.

”You don’t necessarily remember the final score, but for years to come the players will all remember who played along side them in the game.

“This is the game in which the players finally realize that those they played against in the regular season are pretty much like they are, and that is the beauty of a game like this.”