DDN
8/20
Area pipeline to
OSU continues to flow
Friday nights are great, but these seniors can't wait to play in the Horseshoe
By the Dayton Daily News
The Dayton-area pipeline to Ohio State football has been chock full of key players through the years. And it's flowing better than ever this fall.
Already, the Buckeyes have lured three area senior standouts to commit: Northmont High School DB-WR Kurt Coleman (6-foot, 185 pounds), Springboro TE-DE Jake Ballard (6-8, 255) and Coldwater TE-LB Ross Homan (6-2, 230). Barring injury, all should play major roles for their teams this fall. And with a little luck, they'll be doing the same for
OSU.
What we found out is all have a special need to play football at Ohio State, all are magnificently sculpted for their trade and all have benefitted from football's magic formula: a lot of hard work. We asked them to share their not-so-personal insights.
Question: Once at
OSU, you'll recite Carmen Ohio as easily as adjusting a defensive alignment. Without help, tell us the words to the Buckeyes' Alma Mater ... or any phrase you're familiar with.
Jake: Well, I really can't recite any of it. I guess I'll have to get on that right away.
Kurt: Time and change will surely show ... how firm thy friendship ... OOOOOOOOHIIIOOOOO.
Ross: Oh, come let's sing Ohio's praise and songs to Alma Mater raise while our hearts rebounding thrill with joy which death alone can still. Summer's heat or winter's cold the seasons pass the years will roll time and change will surely show how firm thy friendship O-HI-O.
Q. All-time favorite
OSU player, and why.
Jake: That would have to be Craig Krenzel. I have to go with Krenzel just because I enjoyed watching him lead the Buckeyes to a record of 25-2 with him as the starting quarterback. And he flat out was a winner, and that's something that cannot be taught.
Kurt: I'd say my favorite
OSU player is Archie Griffin because he was so versatile and could elude any tackler at any moment.
Ross: Bobby Hoying, because he's my first cousin and while growing up I'd be glued in front of the TV on Saturdays watching him play. And he made some amazing plays to win big games.
Q. How has playing for your program prepared you for the next level?
Jake: Our coaches at Springboro have taught us that we have to work hard if we want to accomplish anything great. They also keep reminding us that all the hard work we do will pay off and by doing that, they have given me the work habit that I need to succeed at the next level.
Kurt: Playing at Northmont has prepared me a lot for college. Our coaching staff has been there and has been to numerous clinics. They like to base their coaching off of what college teams do.
Ross: Playing for Coldwater has prepared me greatly. Not only on the X's and O's about football and technique, but mostly on how to be a disciplined football player.
Q. If you had a do-over in your football career, you would:
Jake: I would not change anything.
Kurt: No, I can't say I would want a do-over because I have been so blessed with everything that has happened to me and I couldn't ask for anything more.
Ross: Never, I have no regrets. If there was one thing I could change it would be that I would have worked harder earlier, but other than that, no.
Q. Your advice to underclassmen is:
Jake: To always work your hardest at improving your game. Don't just line up and go through the motions. Compete all the time with your teammates and yourself by setting goals. And most important, have fun.
Kurt: Always work your hardest. It may not pay off in a week or month, but when it comes down to it, you will be better off than anyone else.
Ross: Train, and then train some more. Also, don't take nothing for granted, because you never know what could happen to you the next day.
Q. Your most memorable football moment:
Jake: It was not something I did. It was when Maurice Clarett dove in for the final score to beat Miami in double-overtime 31-24 (for the '02 national championship).
Kurt: That was when we were playing Troy and I caught a hitch for a touchdown. My picture was taken (by DDN photographer Bill Reinke) at the same time and it has been one of the best pictures I've seen.
Ross: Catching a game-winning touchdown last year against Delta in double-overtime to go ahead and win the game.
Q. Friday nights, under the lights, in the fall. Does it get any better than that?
Jake: There's nothing that I have experienced yet that even compares to the atmosphere of Friday night lights. Hopefully, though, that will change when I'm walking down the ramp at Ohio Stadium when it's rumbling from the energy of 100,000 strong.
Kurt: Friday nights are one of a kind, but Saturday nights with TV cameras on you with 105,000 people screaming is unimaginable.
Ross: No it doesn't. It's finally time to put everything you trained for during the offseason and summer and lay it out on the line against the other team and see who comes out on top.
