The Ohio all-star team is gearing up to defend their title in the 44th Annual Penn-Ohio Stateline Classic, as the event kicks off on Thursday evening at Sebo Stadium in Salem. Last year, former Springfield and current Youngstown State quarterback Beau Brungard led the Ohio team to victory with an 11-yard touchdown pass to former South Range running back Dylan Dominguez. This year, Ohio’s 36 players from 19 different schools across Mahoning, Columbiana and Jefferson Counties will be represented, including players from local schools like Boardman, Crestview, and Western Reserve.
The head coach for this year’s Ohio all-star team, Salem’s Ron Johnson, believes that Ohio has the best high school football in the country, citing the large number of teams and their excellent coaching. Although many players have plans to continue their football careers in college, some, like South Range’s Chris Colucci, will be participating in this game for the last time.
One of the main challenges facing the Ohio team’s coaches is to unify the players from different programs, systems, and coaching styles, molding them into a cohesive team in just nine practices leading up to the game. Although this will be a daunting task, Johnson is confident in the athletes’ abilities to quickly get into shape and be ready to play. Above all, the coach hopes to create a positive and memorable experience for all participants, as the players finish their high school football careers.
The game will commence at 7 pm on Thursday evening at Sebo Stadium in Salem. The coaches are looking forward to seeing the players come together and play a great brand of football, as the Ohio team aims to keep the bragging rights on their side of the border for another year.
