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Yoder Named Ferry Football Coach

Photo by Bubba Kapral Chas Yoder was named the head football coach at Martins Ferry on Friday.

MARTINS FERRY — The purple torch has been passed.

Legendary Dave Bruney announced he was stepping down as Martins Ferry’s head football coach two weeks ago, a position he held with great success for 39 years.

One of his former stars has been tapped to fill his shoes. The Martins Ferry Board of Education Friday selected Chas Yoder to become the new leader of the Purple Riders’ storied grid program.

“I am very excited and cannot wait to get started. This has been a dream of mine. It is still surreal. I have always been a Martins

Ferry guy,” Yoder said. “I want to thank Mr. (Jim) Fogle (school superintendent) and the board of education for this opportunity. It means everything to me.

“I have leaned a lot from Coach Dave. He is a great man and great coach,” he added. “He taught me to work hard, to do the right thing and to be a good person. I will try and do justice for him. I don’t want to let anyone down.”

Yoder distinguished himself in two sports at Ferry. He was a two-time all-Ohio football player and championship wrestler. He was state runner-up in 2005 at 189 pounds and placed sixth at 171 in 2003. He was a two-time OVAC mat champion.

Following his illustrious Purple Riders’ career, Yoder matriculated to Division III grid juggernaut Mount Union. He earned first-team All-OAC honors at linebacker while helping the Purple Raiders to three national championships. Moreover, he was named to the OAC All-Academic first team.

After picking up his Mount Union diploma, Yoder landed a teaching and coaching position at his alma mater. He has served on Bruney’s staff for nine seasons.

The 30-year-old takes the purple reins with some specific goals in mind.

“My short-tearm goals are to have a winning season, win the Buckeye 8, compete for the OVAC championship,” he said. “I want our kids to make the playoffs and win playoff games. I also look to build up our numbers, starting with our junior high program.”

Yoder plans to meet with his team Tuesday and subsequently take over leading summer drills. Bruney has been holding the fort down since his retirement announcement.

“We have a great staff here. I look to keep it intact,” Yoder stated. “We lose some studs in graduation such as Dalton Hoover and Hunter Bodkin. But we also have some really talented kids. We look to develop more leaders.”

Yoder will launch his head coaching career on the road, taking on Buckeye Local at Yorkville on Thursday, Aug. 23.

“We are very excited to have Chas lead our football program,” Fogle said. “He has great rapport with the players. He relates very well to them and is very organized.

“Chas was a great player in high school and college. He has done very good things as our head wrestling coach and as a football assistant,” he added. “He is big on discipline and has earned the respect of the players and staff alike.”

Bruney finished his Purple Riders’ tenure with an amazing 275-134 record. He guided the Purple Riders to 14 playoff berths, including a regional championship in 2004 and six OVAC championships. He is a member of the Ohio High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame.

Yoder lives in Martins Ferry with his wife, Ashlee.

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