Canfield vs Poland

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Canfield vs Poland

Photo by: Mark Stahl

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Poland's QB, 9, Colin Reardon tries to slip past Canfield's ddMike Hughes, 12, and Conor Loze during their game at Canfield on Friday. Photo Mark Stahl

2010 Howland 20 - Poland 18

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Photo by: Geoffrey Hauschild

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Geoffrey Hauschild|The Vindicator.Poland's Colin Reardon (9) is stopped by Howland's Zac Wilson (7) during the first quarter of a game at Poland High School on Friday evening.

Canfield Vs. Poland

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By Joe Scalzo

scalzo@vindy.com

POLAND

When Poland quarterback Colin Reardon started getting letters from college coaches two years ago, he made it his goal to get a solid Mid-American Conference offer, then see what happened.

“I figured I might have one or two bigger offers, but I was aiming for a MAC-sized school,” he said.

After Kent State and Miami (Ohio) made early offers — as well as Youngstown State — Reardon planned to wait until after his senior season to commit. But since most schools only carry three or four quarterbacks, Reardon was left with a decision: Commit now, or risk seeing schools look elsewhere.

“They were telling me, ‘We need to know soon,’” said Reardon. “I didn’t want to wait too long and see my scholarship pulled. And I didn’t want the spotlight to be on me this season.

“I wanted this year to be our team, not about me.”

So, on Thursday night, Reardon (6-1, 195) committed to the RedHawks, believing they offered the best chance for him to play early and win often.

“They have a history of winning championships and that made a big difference,” said Reardon, who was also impressed by Miami’s new Farmer School of Business, the home of his planned major. “And it’s far enough away for me to have the chance to grow up, but not so far away if something happens.

“I love the coaching staff and I felt like it was the perfect fit for me.”

Reardon led the Bulldogs to the playoffs each of his first two seasons, earning first team all-conference and second team all-district honors last season. Two of his recent teammates, safety Luke Wollett (who lettered at Kent State as a true freshman last fall) and wideout Darius Patton (who is headed to Pitt this fall) also earned Division I scholarships.

A three-sport standout, Reardon possesses every attribute you need in a quarterback except one: height. (After being named best quarterback at a recent Ohio State camp, he said one of the coaches told him, “If you were 6-2, we’d offer you right now.”)

Reardon is the fourth area player from the 2012 class to give a verbal commitment, joining Canfield DT Jimmy Rousher (Miami, Ohio), Canfield DB Jordan Italiano (Kent) and Howland tackle Anthony Stanko (Penn State).

Needless to say, Reardon didn’t commit to Miami because of Rousher but said he plans to befriend his high school rival — eventually.

“I can’t say we’re friends but after that last game of the season, when we play Canfield in Week 10, I think right after that we’ll be real good friends,” Reardon said. “I mean, he’s my future teammate. It’s not like we’re going to still be fighting.”

His college choice secured, Reardon said he has no plans to give up high school basketball or baseball just because his future is in football.

“If I didn’t play a sport and sat out basketball or baseball season, I’d just be sitting there so agitated because I couldn’t do anything,” he said. “I just want to play those for the last time, competitively, while it actually matters.

“In basketball, I’ve got a couple goals I’ve had since I was a ballboy, when I was 6 or 7. I want to try to get those. This is my last year, so why not go for it?”