WHEELING – When Ohio takes to the airways in Saturday night’s 79th annual OVAC Rudy Mumley All-Star Football Game, it will have a variety of tall and speedy options to throw the ball too.

And, when the Buckeyes score or get close enough to, Barnesville’s Evan Lough has proven he is more than capable of splitting the uprights.

The wide receivers and tight ends include Beaver Local’s Brock Severs, Buckeye Local’s Alex McDiffitt, Martins Ferry’s Ayden Ludolph, Union Local’s Dre Saunders, Union Local’s Logan Hess, East Liverpool’s Blake Adkins, Monroe Central’s Chance Allen, Martins Ferry’s Alex Reese, Bellaire’s Maurice Webb, Wellsville’s Tyrell Watkins and St. Clairsville’s Mikey Balgo.

LOUGH (6-2, 175) re-wrote the kicking record book as a Shamrock. He finished with a single-season 61 PATS; 162 career PATs and a single-game nine.

photo by: Nick Henthorn

Pictured are the W.Va. wide receivers, tight ends and placekicker for the 79th annual OVAC Rudy Mumley All-Star Football Game on Saturday at Wheeling Island Stadium. Front row, from left, are Cameron’s Wes Starcher; Clay-Battelle’s Landon Savage; Brooke’s Chase Hile; and Madonna’s Andre Crossland Jr. Back row, from left, are Weir’s Damir Mowder; John Marshall’s Hayden Gaiser; Cameron’s Slaton Pettit; Cameron’s Mason Scott and Madonna’s Wesley Molish. Not pictured is Linsly’s Ramello Derr.

He was selected as a third-team all-Ohioan and first team all-Eastern District honoree.

He is undecided on his college career, but was an integral part of the Shamrocks run to the Division V playoffs during his career.

He will also handle the punting and kickoff duties.

Lough is the son of Amanda Lough of Barnesville.

SEVERS (6-0, 210) was a main cog for the Beavers, both receiving and rushing. He totaled 1,529 yards in receptions while gaining 702 stripes. He accounted for 35 touchdowns and also picked off 10 passes.

He was a two-time all-Ohio honorable mention selection, as well as two-time all-Eastern District and all-OVAC performer.

In addition to football, Severs also played soccer and ran track.

He is the son of Rick and Larissa Severs of Negley, Ohio.

MCDIFFITT (5-9, 160) was a versatile performer for the Panthers. He passed for 1,000 yards, ran for 600 more and accounted for eight touchdowns.

He was a first team all-OVAC honoree, as well as first team all-Eastern District, all-MOVL and honorable mention all-Ohioan.

He will attend Belmont College.

McDiffitt is the son of Joyce Bradley of Tiltonsville.

LUDOLPH (5-10, 170) was also a player to watch for the Purple Riders. He was adept at throwing the ball, as well as running with it. He was a sparkplug in leading his team to the Division V playoffs.

A standout baseball player, as well, he was all-OVAC and all-Eastern District as a senior.Ludolph will attend Rio Grande University to continue his academic and athletic careers.

He is the son of Michael and Shayla Ludolph of Martins Ferry.

SAUNDERS (6-0, 150) was a stellar performer on both sides of the ball for the Jets as they advanced to the second round of the Division V playoffs.

Offensively, he caught 111 passes for 1,938 yards and 25 touchdowns as a junior and senior. Defensively, he charted 54 tackles, picked off eight passes and had four special teams touchdowns.

He currently holds several Union Local receiving records and was the UL Touchdown Club Player of the Year as a senior. He was also a two-time first team all-OVAC honoree, along with being selected to the all-Eastern District first team twice.

Saunders will continue his academic and athletic careers at Wheeling University.

He is the son of Ashley Street and resides in Belmont.

HESS (6-0, 200) caught only eight passes for 83 yards and a touchdown as a senior, but was very useful as a blocker in the Jets run game.

Defensively, he made 64 total tackles – 46 solo – and recovered a pair of fumbles. He also had 6.5 tackles for lost yardage.

He will attend Belmont College in the fall.

Logan is the son of Jim and Michelle Hess of Jacobsburg.

ADKINS (6-0, 210) became the first Potters wide receiver to gain 1,000 yards in a season as he put up 1,042 on 59 receptions, with 11 going for six points. His reception total was also a school mark.

In addition to football, Adkins also played baseball, basketball and ran track.

He will attend West Liberty University to continue his academic and athletic careers.

Adkins resides with his grandparents, Richard and Lisa Shepherd, in East Liverpool.

ALLEN (6-4, 175) was a key performer for Seminoles in football, but played an even bigger role on the basketball team during its run to the Division VI state championship.

He will continue his academic and athletic careers at Muskingum College.

Allen resides with his grandmother, Molly Falkenstein, in Beallsville.

REESE (6-5, 220) was a two-way terror for opponents on the football field, as well as a standout basketball player for the Purple Riders.

A first team all-Ohioan in both sports, Reese is headed to NCAA Division I Youngstown State University to continue his academic and athletic careers.

A sure-handed tight end and nearly impossible to block defensive end, Reese is also the No. 1 scorer in Martins Ferry basketball history.

He is the son of Lyncey Agnew of Martins Ferry.

WEBB (6-1, 170) played a variety of positions for the Big Reds last fall. He saw action at running back, wide receiver, special teams and defensive back, excelling at all of them.

He is undecided on his future plans.

Webb is the son of Michelle Scott of Bellaire.

WATKINS (6-2, 185) was a standout performer for the Tigers on both sides of the football.

He will attend Marietta College to further his academic and athletic careers.

Watkins is the son of Talisa Rodriguez of Wellsville.

BALGO (6-3, 210) also saw action at various positions due his athletic talents. He played fullback, tight end and middle linebacker as the Red Devils advanced to the Division IV regional finals before falling to eventual state champion Indian Valley.

He led the team in tackles with 128 and earned first team all-Eastern District and all-OVAC honorable mention. Also a standout baseball player.

He will continue his academic and athletic careers at Walsh University.

Balgo is the son of Dan and Diane Balgo of St. Clairsville.

Weapons Aplenty For West Virginia In Receiving And Kicking Game

WHEELING – W.Va. has a plethora of pass-catching options as well as a lethal place kicker for Saturday night’s 79th annual OVAC Rudy Mumley All-Star Football Game at Wheeling Island Stadium.

The Mountaineers have announced their wide receivers, tight ends and special teams performers, including Cameron’s Wes Starcher, Clay-Battelle’s Landon Savage, Brooke’s Chase Hile, Madonna’s Andre Crossland Jr., Weir’s Damir Mowder, John Marshall’s Hayden Gaiser, Cameron’s Slaton Pettit, Cameron’s Mason Scott, Madonna’s Wesley Molish and Linsly’s Ramello Derr.

HILE (6-0, 155) turned out to be one of the best-kept secrets in the Ohio Valley last fall as the Bruins’ weapon. He made 10 of 13 field goal attempts with a long of 48 yards. He was also perfect on 17 PAT attempts and punted for a 34.5 yard average.

He was accorded first team status on the W./Va. Class AAA all-state team, as well as all-OVAC and all-Valley.

Also a standout soccer player, he also ran track for the Bruins.

He will attend West Liberty University to continue his academic and athletic careers.

Hile is the son of Krista Brettell of Wellsburg.

STARCHER (5-7, 140) was a wide receiver and linebacker for the Dragons who advanced to the Class A state championship game before falling to a powerful Wahama squad.

Also a standout on the OVAC Class A baseball champions as a junior, he is the son of William and Christie Starcher of Cameron.

SAVAGE (5-6, 180) had 309 receiving yards and four touchdowns last fall for the Cee-Bees. He also ran for 58 yards.

He also ran track in high school.

He was honorable mention all-W.Va. Class A and honorable mention all-OVAC.

Savage is the son of Andrew and Alicia Savage of Blacksville.

CROSSLAND (6-2, 190) had more than 1,000 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns for the Blue Dons last fall. A two-way standout, he made more than 200 tackles and had 11 interceptions during his career.

He was a two-time all-Valley honoree, as well as all-OVAC honorable mention.

He will attend W\VU.

Crossland is the son of Andre Sr. and Steffanie Crossland of Weirton.

MOWDER (6-1, 210) caught 29 passes for 593 yards and nine touchdowns for the Red Riders.

He was first team all-OVAC and honorable mention all-W.Va.

He will attend Fairmont State University to continue his academic and athletic careers.

Mowder is the son of Patrice Smith of Weirton.

GAISER (6-0, 158) had 508 receiving yards and six TDs on 29 catches last fall for the Monarchs. He excelled on defense, as well, charting 26 tackles, forced a fumble, recovered a fumble and intercepted a pair of passes. He also punted 31 times for a 33.8 average.

In addition to football, Gaiser also played basketball and baseball for four years.

He will attend West Liberty University in the fall.

Gaiser is the son of Jeremy and Joni Gaiser and they reside in Moundsville.

PETTIT (6-0, 160) was a key figure in the Dragon’s run to the W.Va. Class A state championship tilt. He accounted for 1,466 all-purpose yards, running for 885 and catching passes for 393. He had 19 total touchdowns. On defense, he made 54 tackles, picked off two passes.

He was named first team all-OVAC and first team all-Mason Dixon. He earned honorable mention all-state.

In addition to football, Pettit was an accomplished wrestler at Cameron, winning a W./Va. State title as a senior. He was an OVAC runner up three times and placed all four years.

He is entering an electrician’s apprenticeship.

Pettit is the son of Carl and Holly Pettit of Cameron.

SCOTT (6-1, 150) is another multi-sport standout for the Dragons. He caught 24 passes for 503 yards for an average of 21 yards-per-catch. He finished with 12 touchdowns, Defensively, he made 24 tackles and picked off five passes.

He was accorded first team status on the all-W.Va. Class A all-state squad, as well as all-OVAC where he was the Class A Player of the Year. He was also first team all-Mason Dixon.

He was also a member of the basketball and track teams.

Scott will attend West Liberty University.

He is the son of Gabe and Bethany Scott. They reside in Cameron.

MOLISH (6-3, 210) played tight end for the Blue Dons, but earned most of his accolades on the defensive side of the football where he made 71 solo tackles, had a trio of quarterback sacks and forced three fumbles.

He was first team all-OVAC; second team all-W.Va. Class A was OVAC all-Academic four years.

He also played baseball and wrestled in high school.

Molish will attend Fairmont State University to continue his academic and athletic careers.

He is the son of Ryan and Jennifer Molish of New Cumberland.

DERR (5-9, 150) had 37 catches for 646 yards as a senior for the Cadets.

He will attend West Liberty University to continue his academic and athletic careers.

Derr is the son of James and Santesha Derr of Wheeling.