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QUESTIONS
Continued from page 5
“I don’t know if people realize it, but there’s
been a shift, and central Ohio football is already
on the map,” Central football coach Jay Shar-
rett said. “The football in the northeastern part
of the state has always been strong, but cen-
tral Ohio has made a lot of progress and you
can see the results by looking at who played
in the state title games last year. The other
coaching staffs here have seen the shift, and
they’re working harder than ever because they
want to get a piece of that, too. I can guaran-
tee that central Ohio will be well-represented
in the playoffs from here on out.”
Two wins in seven years (Upper Arlington
in 2000) at the Division I level is not enough
for White. He would like to see more consis-
tency from the area on the state-wide level.
“Look at us last year,” he said. “We did not
have any (college) Division I kids and our suc-
cess came on just hard work, execution and
chemistry of our team. I think it’s been proven
time and again that central Ohio football is
lacking as compared to the southwest and
maybe the northeast. Until we start to do some-
thing on a more consistent basis, we have no
right to complain or say that we’re treated
unfairly or are second rate. We need to prove
it.”
•QUESTION: Will the popularity of Field-
Turf continue to grow?
Gahanna, Grandview, Hamilton Township
and St. Charles joined the list of central Ohio
school that feature synthetic turf that also fea-
ture Bexley, DeSales, Dublin Coffman, Dublin
Jerome, Dublin Scioto, Grove City Christian
and Upper Arlington.
“When we call up our opponents for our
scrimmages they all want to play here because
they want to be on that kind of surface,” Jerome
coach Mark Hundley said.
At smaller schools like Grandview and St.
Charles, the football field is used more than
Friday nights in the fall. Soccer, field hockey,
track, lacrosse and even the marching band all
use the football field. A synthetic fields offer
more durability and a consistent playing sur-
face.
“It comes at a cost,” Grandview first-year
coach Jason Peters said. “But once it’s in, it’s
very low to maintain. The longer it’s around,
the more companies come out with it, the lower
the price. Then you’ll see almost everyone
eventually go to it.
“At a school like Grandview, everyone is
on it. It is a smart decision, because we know
we’re getting a quality field.”
At St. Charles, the cost of the project was
about $1.1 million. Added into the final fig-
ure were new dugouts and backstop on the
baseball field, a new concession stand, new
entrance to the football field and new football
goal posts, new lacrosse goals and soccer goals.
“Hamilton Township just put it in. I think
it only cost them $168,000 to put it in. I think
the price when Dublin put these in was around
$500,000,” Hundley said. “They’ve been drop-
ping steadily since. If Hamilton did it for
$168,000, I don’t know how anybody can
afford not to. The maintenance on a regular
field is so much higher than that.”
•QUESTION: Can successful coaches in
new places continue their winning ways?
Several central Ohio football teams under-
went a coaching change in the offseason. But
the two most notable changes came at
Marysville and Hamilton Township.
After a one-year hiatus, Jeff Gafford resur-
faced at Marysville. Gafford went 142-93 with
eight playoff appearances at Franklin Heights
and Worthington Kilbourne. He retired after
the 2005 season with a 98-67 record in 15 sea-
sons with the Wolves.
Bob Jacoby left DeSales — where spent 19
seasons — for Hamilton Township. Jacoby’s
DeSales teams won two state titles and played
in six state championships.
Jacoby seemingly has the bigger challenge
as Hamilton Township was 1-9 last season
compared to Marysville’s 6-4 record.

HORNETS
Continued from page 71
back and inside linebacker and Stallings a tail-
back and defensive back. ss 082207 C14131-1

“We know we have to all work together,” Dublin Jerome Africentric Early Hilliard Davidson Worthington Kilbourne H.S.
Grizer said. “But talent-wise, we have a lot in MIKE WAITS College School KYLIE MAYFIELD CHEERLEADERS
place to be successful.” VICTOR GRAHAM
Other key players include senior J.R. Forbes
(6-5, 195), junior Storm Timson (5-11, 180)
and sophomores Alex Kielmeyer (6-0, 225),
Dan Pennington (5-9, 200) and Trayvon Ware
(6-0, 270), a lineman. Forbes, a receiver and Good Luck cheering on the
defensive end, caught four balls for 90 yards team this year! You will all be
great. Best of luck to the
and two touchdowns last year and provides a Hope this season ROCKS! football team. GO WOLVES!
big target for Smith. Pennington, a running You've come such a long way We love you and
back and linebacker in the 3-4 defense, rushed on & off the field. We are so you are the best.
We are proud of you! Mom, Dad, Aidan
for 148 yards and a touchdown and led the team We wish you continued proud of you. Love and
blessings to you this season and Mackenna
with 103 tackles. Kielmeyer started every game success and happiness.
GO CELTS! The Graham Family
as a freshman. Timson, a receiver and strong Love, Mom, Dad,
safety, is another playmaker. Marisa & Zeak St. Charles
JEFF BUTLER

JOHNSTOWN Olentangy Liberty

JESS AKERS
Dublin Jerome
SENIORS
Continued from page 73 DeSales

August 22, 2007 • Central Ohio High School Football Preview ’07
RYAN CLARK
McClelland are in the mix to start in Hen-
dren’s spot at tailback. Carter said it could Look how far you've gone!
Congratulations Jeff & Good
change from game to game whether he rotates Luck on your Senior Year!
multiple tailbacks or sticks with one player. Love, Mom, Dad & Jon
The Johnnies, who again will operate pri- Set your goals high, and
don't stop until you get there!
marily out of the unbalanced I-formation, are We're so proud of you! GO CELTS! Try the
undecided at quarterback after the graduation Have a great season! From your biggest fans....
of last year’s starter, Kyle Dodderer. Carter said Love, Grandma
& Grandpa Miller
YOUR PARENTS Interactive
seniors Heath Harvey and Mitchell Dawson Good Luck and have a great
season, GO STALLIONS!! Community
and juniors Jay Orders and Jake Hollis are in Ryan, you are the best!!
competition for the spot. He added that he Love, Grandma Phyllis Message Board
would not be opposed to using more than one On the Sports Tab
quarterback in a game. Franklin Heights
Sheppard was last year’s top receiver with KYLE MERZ Send your student
Dublin Jerome H.S. Have a great Senior year!
17 catches for 209 yards, and he also rushed JAKE KLAHS Love, Aunt Kathy, athlete a FREE
45 times for 329 yards. Junior Will Carter ran Good Luck to Jake Kristen and Kacey
good luck message
Bexley H.S. GO FALCONS!
for 144 yards and five touchdowns. & all of the Celtics!
LIONS From your biggest fans, before the game at
Defensively, Dawson and senior Jake Julian Bexley Loves You The Klahs Family.
return at linebacker, and McKnight and Rosshirt Have a Great Year Westerville North H.S. ThisWeekNews.com
will be back in the defensive backfield.All four Robyn Jones GO SUSIE, CLASS of '09
had an interception last season. Your goal is in sight!
From your biggest fans,
Kuskowski and fellow seniors Tony Mey- Bill, David, Kevin,
ers, Will Beacom, Evan Poling and Phil Swick Rachel and Leah Ann
all return with experience on the offensive and
defensive lines.
In all, the Johnnies have 30 returning letter- ThisWeek Community Newspapers. Timelier, fresher news coverage each week of the year.
75
winners.