Sunday, June 06, 1999
CINCINNATI HIGH SCHOOL COLUMN
All-Star football shaping up to be quite offensive
BY DAVE SCHUTTE
Enquirer contributor
Changing the rules may be a good idea but just for this year's All-Star football game.
Instead of limiting the defenses (no blitzing or slanting), maybe the offense should be curtailed so Thursday's 7:30 p.m. annual East-West All Star Football game is completed before midnight.
This year's game, which will be played at Lockland Stadium, will be a spectators delight with offense, offense and more offense.
In all the years the Southwestern Ohio Football Coaches Association has sponsored the classic, no one can remember such high-powered offenses for both teams.
The statistics compiled by the West offensive squad are impressive but nearly equaled by the East. It should be a wide-open offensive exhibition.
East coach Dave Brausch (Lebanon) and West coach Kerry Coombs (Colerain) did come to an agreement that should add excitement to the game.
“Kerry and I agreed to allow the linebackers to blitz but not the secondary players,” Brausch said. “Also, this year the defense will be allowed to play a zone rather than just a man-to-man in the secondary.”
The West offense is loaded with explosive weapons.
Runnings backs Richard Hall of Wyoming (2,147 yards), Colerain's Daryl Robinson (1246) and B.J. Askew (1195), Mike Myers from Hamilton (820) and Harrison's Shawn Huff (1487) amassed 6895 yards rushing during the 10-game 1998 season and scored 738 points.
The West's quarterbacks are Matt Glacken of Elder, who completed 145-of-209 passes for 1860 yards and 23 touchdowns and Hamilton's Andy Mignery, who completed 95-of-178 for 1693 yards and 13 TDs.
On the East squad, Brausch is blessed with running backs Kelton Lindsay of Lebanon (1052 yards), Bethel Tate's Blaine Cherry (1932) and Jerrett Dean of Roger Bacon (1608). The trio combined for 4592 yards and 446 points.
East quarterbacks Brad Cupito (McNicholas) led Cincinnati in passing yardage, completing 155-of-284 for 2,083 yards and 22 TDs, while Evan Porter (Amelia) completed 68-of-155 passes for 1,114 yards.
“This is probably the best group of quarterbacks and running backs ever in an All-Star game,” Brausch said. “I can't believe the West has enough footballs to keep their running backs happy.”
The kicking game appears even, with the West featuring Kevin Kerr of St. Xavier (83 points) and B.J. Sanders of Roger Bacon (60-yard field goal) kicking for the East.
“The big key is what teams comes together the best,” Brausch said. “The team that has the best attendance at practices will have the advantage.”
CLASSIFIEDS: Talawanda is looking for varsity girls basketball coach. Contact Tom Holmes at 523-7481.
Little Miami has the following coaching vacancies: Head varsity and assistant football, varsity boys soccer and junior varsity boys and girls soccer. Contact Rob Blanton at 899-5019.
Colerain is looking for a wrestling coach. Contact Dan Moody at 741-5068.
Woodward is looking for girls basketball games. Contact John Chapman at 758-1203.
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