Youngstown players go west to try junior college
Donadelle, Johnson play
By CHEZ ALLISON
Three local football players who didn’t think they had a real opportunity to play football after high school got a chance in Coalinga, Calif.
Imoni Donadelle and TaBrian Donlow from East High School and Kimuani Johnson from Ursuline were given that opportunity at West Hills Junior College.
Gene Modarelli, a teacher and coach in the area for more than 30 years, reached out to former coaches and connections looking for interest for the three players.
Along with Rick Rufh, Modarelli was able to get the attention from West Hills coach Cam Olson.
“Youngstown is respected everywhere when it comes to football, some kids just need more help than others but can help any school,” Rufh said.
Modarelli said, “Getting the players to commit to the unknown so far away is always tough, but once you can show them and they believe everything else comes easy.” Donadelle, who played wide receiver and safety at East bought in after seeing the interest from the West Hills coaching staff.
“California of course is far away and I had my doubts but once I got the feeling the coaches wanted to give me an opportunity and my family encouraged me I went for it,” Donadelle said.
Donadelle put up good numbers at West Hills, accumulating 723 all purpose yards with four receiving touchdowns in nine games.
West Hills won the NorCal American Championship this season.
Donadelle made All Conference Honorable Mention as a returner leading the conference in punt return yards and fourth in kick return yards.
“Coaches made the transition easier by being fair as long as you worked hard in practice, I feel I have a lot of work to do to make a division 1 school but West Hills has me on the right path,” Donadelle said.
Johnson was a running back and linebacker at Ursuline where he dealt with injuries. He committed to going to West Hills early on.
“I just wanted to play and prove to myself I have the skill to play at the college level,” Johnson said. “I had some injuries but didn’t want that to hold me back.”
Johnson rushed for 604 yards and five touchdowns in eight games. He had two 100-yard games.
Donlow was redshirted.