Beaver Local senior linebacker Kole McKenzie is the most interesting person I met conducting interviews for our Blitz High School Football Preview.

Asked what career he’d like to pursue next year, McKenzie surprised me.

“I’d love to go to school for nursing, maybe play football there,” McKenzie said.

Although he’s listed as a running back, McKenzie primarily plays defense where making solid contact is his primary purpose.

“Obviously, nurses make a pretty good living,” McKenzie explained. “But I just like that aspect [of helping].

“I think it’s pretty cool.”

A linebacker interested in helping others — priceless.

McKenzie says he and his teammates are inspired by the success of Beaver Local graduate Derek Wolfe, a third-year defensive end with the Denver Broncos.

“It’s a pretty big thing,” McKenzie said. “It’s cool to have someone who graduated from your high school, who was in your shoes at one time, being a professional, making a living at what you like.”

Jason Sims, the Beavers’ senior lineman, called Wolfe an inspiration.

“It’s inspiring that someone from a small school made it all the way to the NFL and is doing as great as he is,” Sims said.

The Beavers were 2-8 last fall, but McKenzie thinks a turnaround is possible. He doesn’t mind opening with Crestview on Friday night even though last year the Rebels won 36-7.

Asked if he’d rather face Crestview (11-2 in 2013) later in the season, McKenzie didn’t hesitate to suggest his team will be ready.

Further north along state Route 7, Columbiana head coach Bob Spaite has one of the biggest opening night challenges of his four-decade career. Tonight, the Clippers (3-7 in 2013) will take on Western Reserve (13-1, Division VII state semifinalist).

“Week 1 is what my administration has called, ‘the dumbest move I’ve ever made’ for opening with what many people feel is the top small school in the area,” Spaite said. “Some say they may be one of the top two in the state in Division VII.”

For football fans who are fed up with how the Browns and Steelers have performed in the preseason, skipping them tonight to watch one of the seven area high school games might be a nice break.

Spaite saluted Blue Devils head coach Andy Hake for turning Western Reserve into a perennial playoff team.

“Coach Hake has completely transformed the culture at Western Reserve,” Spaite said. “They are now as tough and as physical as any team we’ve ever faced, including all our past playoff opponents.”

Losing 14 players who could have returned could have driven Spaite into retirement.

“I’ll be 61. I’ve been coaching 40 years now. I’ll be the first to admit it — there are times I wonder why, just like everybody else,” Spaite said. “But the reward is still greater than the cost.

“We’ll continue [coaching] as long as it’s that.”

For those who have never been to Cleveland’s FirstEnergy Stadium or Pittsburgh’s Heinz Field, tonight could be your lucky night. Late Wednesday, the website StubHub! was selling Browns-Bears tickets for as low as $3.50 and Steelers-Panthers tickets for $10.

Tom Williams is a sportswriter at The Vindicator. Write him at williams@vindy.com and follow him on Twitter, @Williams_Vindy.