Crescent-News.com - Area is well represented at Ohio North-South Classic at Ohio Stadium

By TIM McDONOUGH

mcdonough@crescent-news.com

The Ohio High School Football Coaches Association has been staging a statewide all-star game since 1946, making the Ohio North-South Classic the longest running high school all-star game in the nation.

The name of the game has changed throughout the years as have the venues, with at least one game being held in Akron, Canton, Columbus, Mansfield, Massillon, Middle-town, Spring-field, and Toledo.

But despite the changes, every summer the best high-school players in the state gather each summer to showcase their talents in an all-star football game that has featured players that have gone on to win Heisman trophies and have Hall of Fame professional careers.

This year's game will kick-off from Ohio Stadium on the campus of The Ohio State University at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

The Defiance six-county area will be well represented in the game this year by both players and coaches.

Fairview quarterback Ryan Radcliff, Fairview offensive lineman Jon Masser and Ayersville defensive lineman Kurt Hanenkrath will all be a part of the North Squad, which will be coached by former Fairview head coach Bob Olwin. Olwin will start his tenure as the head football coach at Versailles this fall.

"I coached as an assistant in this game in 2002, but it's a great honor to get nominated to be a head coach in this game," said Olwin. "This is something a lot of guys don't get the chance to do. For our team, to be able to play in this game in Ohio Stadium, that also makes it very intriguing."

According to the OHSFCA, alumni of the Ohio North-South Classic have participated in all but two of the National Football League's 42 Super Bowl games.

"That is enough said right there about the quality and tradition of this game," added Olwin.

For Radcliff, a Central Michigan signee, has the luxury of running his high school offense in this game for the most part, but he is really looking forward to the opportunity to meet new people and have fun playing football again.

"It's awesome that the coaches wanted me to play in this game with the best players in Ohio," said Radcliff. "I'm looking forward to meeting a lot of new people and having the opportunity to play in the game. The first day was a learning experience trying to get to know everybody, but it was also a lot of fun.

"It's great that I get to run my high school offense, except we won't be going five-wide because we have to have a back in the backfield," added Radcliff. "I know I'll have to show some patience this week too. I already know the offense, so I'll have to help the guys pick it up fast and be patient with them. Getting to play at Ohio Stadium is going to be a blast, I just hope to have fun and play well."

Ayersville head coach Chris Dales is pleased and excited that Hanenkrath will represent the Pilots in the game on Saturday. This is the second straight year a player from Ayersville has been selected to play in the game, with Hanenkrath following in the footsteps of Austin Fritz.

"I think it's a great accomplishment for our football program with Austin going last year and Kurt this year," said Dales. "Look, I'm not stupid, we've been successful because we've had good football players here. Those kids worked hard and have come a long ways and they're very, very deserving of this honor.

"It's neat for the community because until last year it had never happened before," added Dales. "To have two guys in two years just goes to show how hard work and dedication can bring a reward like this on a very grand scale. You can't get any bigger than this. This is playing in the 'The Horseshoe' against guys going to major colleges and who will someday play in the NFL."

The North squad will be looking to avenge a 50-7 loss a year ago, but the North squad leads the all-time series 36-23-3.

2008 Ohio North-South Classic

North Roster

Jon Biehl, Lakeview Cortland; Salvadore Battles, Youngstown East; Brian Vollmer, Nordonia; Richie Baker, Elyria Catholic; Aaron Pankratz, Nordonia; Patrick Pakan, Tallmadge; Ryan Radcliff, Fairview; Kyle Smedi, Lakeview Cortland; Teddy Robb, Northwest; Devon Jennings, Euclid; Nick Tuminello, Boardman; Gus Armbruster, Norwalk; Nate Caudill, Clyde; Jordan Gribble, Brunswick; Derrick Vicars, Genoa; Chase Munoz, Fostoria; Jacob Andrews, Clyde; Brad Gallik, Lexington; Mike Haddad, Avon Lake; Kevin Harper, Mentor; Karson Bodnovich, Mayfield; Steve Yoak, Hoban; Isaiah Ballard, Rogers; Steve Greer, Solon; Andrew Illig, Walsh Jesuit; Andrew Schaetkze, Toledo St. John's; Joe Gaglione, Lake Catholic; Jon Masser, Fairview; Sean Whitten, Canton McKinley; Marc Stevens, Lexington; Kurt Hanenkrath, Ayersville; Eric Herman, Toledo Central Catholic; Matt Wakulchik, North Canton Hoover; Jake Stolles, University School.

South Roster

Bryan Gaiters, Zanesville; Justin Hemm, Piqua; Robbie Davia, Harrison Central; Nick Stevens, Gallia Academy; Jeremy Ebert Hilliard Darby; Andre' Dawson, Olentangy; Keith Morgan, Bellefontaine; Johnathan Kendrick, Kettering Fairmont; Zack Kauth, Chaminade-Julienne; Nick Schneider, St. Xavier; Josh McKee, Tecumseh; Mark Nichols, Newark Catholic; Mike Kindel, Springboro; Aston Jackson, Xenia; Anthony Washington, Fairborn; Taylor Hitzfield, Fredricktown; Corey Manns, Kenton; Zach Hutchins, Berne Union; Zach Free, Washington Courthouse; B.J. Camden Groveport-Madison; David Rolf, Piqua; J.K. Schaffer, LaSalle; Evan Davis, Colerain; Joe Pachuta, John Glenn; Larry Black, Wyoming; Zach Brown, Canal Winchester; Mike Wallace, Logan; Dustin Harmon, Coal Grove; Phillip Manley, Hamilton; Andrew Radakovich, Steubenville; Jon Ingerman, Northeastern; Tim German, Licking Valley; Kenny Anunike, Olentangy; Greg Scruggs, St. Xavier.