Football players gear up for last game

June 11, 2017 at 12:08a.m.

Football standouts ready for Thursday’s test

Many Mahoning Valley seniors will suit up one final time on the gridiron when they take part in Thursday’s Jack Arvin All-Star Football Classic.

Seniors from Trumbull County will take on seniors from Mahoning and Columbiana counties at Hubbard Memorial Stadium.

McDonald’s Dan Williams will coach Trumbull while United’s Mike Demster will coach Mahoning/Columbianas.

Coaches and players hope it to be a fun experience as well as a competitive one.

“[Practices are] light and fun,” Demster said. “We made a promise to them the first day if they were flying around and going hard then we wouldn’t do conditioning.

“It’s an accelerated pace because you’ve got guys with high football IQs so it’s fun. You’re able to do a lot of different areas in practice rather than rehash things.”

Campbell alumnus Yianni Koullias will strap on his Red Devil attire one more time before suiting up for Youngstown State this fall. The future Penguin called it a mixture of emotions knowing he gets to wear the Campbell uniform again.

“I’m happy to get back on the field one more time but it’s more of a sentimental feeling with everything,” Koullias said. “It’s sad but it feels good knowing you get to move up to better things,”

On the opposite sideline, Howland alumnus Tyriq Ellis is playing his final game before suiting up for Malone in the fall. Ellis is confident with his team and Williams’ play calls.

“I love this coaching staff,” Ellis said. “They know how to use play-makers and they make it easy and fun. The play-calls are music to our ears when you get together to use your ability any time they call a play.”

Much like Friday’s baseball all-star game at Eastwood Field in Niles, competition is expected to come to the forefront when the players step on the field.

“I think it’ll be pretty intense,” Koullias said. “Everyone is going out there to win. There will be a lot of fun but at the same time it’s going to be very competitive.”

Ellis agreed.

“I don’t want to see anybody get hurt but when you step on the playing surface the competitiveness is going to kick in,” Ellis said.”