Ohio Ready To Take The Field For 80th Annual OVAC Game

WHEELING - After a week of two-a-day practices, the Ohio team - coaches and players alike - are ready to take the field Saturday when they meet West Virginia in the 80th annual OVAC Rudy Mumley All Star Football Game. Kickoff inside Wheeling Island Stadium is set for 7:15 p.m.

"Like I told the parents at the "Evening With the Stars," everything goes so fast. It was like a blink of an eye. Everything goes fast when you're having fun," Ohio head coach Brett McLean, of Clairsville, said Friday. "We've got a great group of kids. The coaches did a fantastic job of sending us their respective players.

"They all get along. By the end of week, they were singing and hanging around each other in their free time," McLean added. "That's so great to see because a lot of these kids had never met some of their new teammates until this week. That's very encouraging.

"I think we have progressed in every practice. Obviously, as a coach, I'd love to have about 15 more practices," he said. "However, it's quite the task to organize and put together every single facet of the game to try and get every player involved in one way or another. My assistant coaches are great guys and they do a wonderful job.

"As bad as you want to win the game as a competitor, you have to remember that this is the celebration of a great high school career," McLean stressed. "It may be the last time some of these kids play full-fledged tackle football. It's a memory that will last forever for them and I want them to soak it all in."

While the practices are finished, there's still work to do before kickoff.

"We'll probably do a couple of walk-throughs today (Friday afternoon) and Saturday morning. When I say walk-through, I really mean that, because we're trying to get into that recovery mode after all the hydration these kids have lost in the past few days," he noted. "We want to replenish ... refuel and get their legs back under them."

What will it take for Ohio to prevail?

"We have to play mistake-free," McLean insisted. "Of all the All-Star Games that I've been involved in, the team that makes the most mistakes and allows the big plays has lost. We have to try and eliminate the turnovers, confusion and breakdowns as much as we can. We don't want to shoot ourselves in the foot."

Captains

Sam McLean (St. Clairsville); Ian Starkey (Indian Creek); Nishon White (Indian Creek); Nolan Blackburn (Steubenville) and Hines Ford (Barnesville).

Some Big Boys

It's no secret that Ohio has a definite size advantage heading into the game. Of the 12 Buckeyes listed as offensive or defensive linemen, they average 266.67 pounds a piece and 11 of them are 230 or larger. Six of them stand at least 6-3.

"I've been fortunate to have had some big offensive linemen over the years at St. Clairsville, but we've got some huge guys," McLean said. "However, we've got to go out and be coordinated and do the things that we have practiced all week."

Spreading the Wealth

McLean said approximately 25 different players will start at one position or another, albeit it on offense, defense or special teams.

Injured, But Still At Camp

Martins Ferry's Tayson Palmer was extended an offer to play over the summer, but won't be able to due to a knee injury sustained over the winter. However, he accepted the invite and hasn't missed a thing.

"I'm so excited that he has been here with us all week," McLean said. "We offered him a roster spot not knowing he was injured in wrestling season. (Game Director) Corey Murphy told me to make sure Tayson knows he can take part in all the activities this week, and he has. He jumped on board and has had a lot of fun this week. He's also been a big help during practice. I'm glad he is here."