Regional football all-stars return to Perrysburg

Brad Lutchman, assistant football coach at Ottawa Hills, watches twins Corey, left, and Codey Tyda of Bowlng Green during practice for the 20th annual Regional All-Star Game.

After being played as an "away game" the last three summers, the Regional All-Star Football Game will return to Perrysburg on Friday.

The 20th annual event sponsored by the Perrysburg High School boosters club will take place at Steinecker Stadium. Kickoff is tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Perrysburg Junior High School.

The game features 74 recently graduated seniors from northwest Ohio.

Perrysburg athletic director Ray Pohlman helped create the event.

"We want to showcase football in northwest Ohio and show that good football is played here,"

Pohlman said. "These players get the chance to show their skills one more time."

Because of construction on the Perrysburg junior high campus, the game was played at Whitmer the previous two summers and at Springfield in 2007.

"It will be nice to have it back at home," Pohlman said. "The kids practice here all week and the field and everything is set up. It's easier to maintain when you have it here. We have the 'home-field advantage' again."

He said many of the players will be participating in their final game. The teams are divided into a Gold squad and a Black squad.

"For the majority of them this will be their last game," Pohlman said. "Out of the 74 players, only about 20 will go on to play in college."

Nine members of the All-Blade team will compete in the event. The Black team has seven All-Blade players and the Gold team has two.

Parish Wimberly, a 5-foot-11, 275-pound defensive lineman from Start, will play for the Gold team. Wimberly, who earned All-Blade special mention last year, has signed to play at Tiffin University.

"I like playing with these guys," Wimberly said. "We play at the same caliber and we all have potential. We're all all-stars. They all like to go at it like me."

Wimberly said he is honored to play one last time donning a Start helmet.

"It'll be under the lights and live on TV [BCSN]," Wimberly said. "It's an all-star game. You can't ask for much more than that."

Wimberly said the week of practice, which began Sunday, has helped him get in "football condition."

Wide receiver Alex Nossaman, a Bryan graduate, is a starter for the Black squad. Nossaman will be a preferred walk on at Bowling Green State University.

"It's been a lot of fun," Nossaman said. "I've met guys that I've played against my whole career. I've gotten a lot of different perspectives from the coaches, too. I'm learning different schemes and systems."

Nossaman, a standout in football, basketball, and baseball, earned special mention All-Blade last fall. The 6-3, 200 pounder averaged 17.0 yards per catch and scored eight touchdowns for Bryan.

"It means a lot to put that helmet on one more time," said Nossaman, who reports to BG's fall camp Aug. 3.

"This gives me some game experience. It's great competition and should help me prepare," Nossaman said.

St. Francis de Sales has three players, center Alex Kenzie, strong safety Tyler Johnston, and punter Pat Dyer, that were named to the All-Blade team and will play for the Black team.

Kenzie (5-11, 252) helped lead the Knights to an 11-2 record. Johnston (6-2, 203) led St. Francis to the regional final with 60 tackles, two interceptions, and two recovered fumbles. Dyer (6-2, 175) was a three-year starter and had a 40.7 yard punting average.

Perrysburg coach Matt Kregel and Ottawa Hills coach Chris Hardman will coach the Gold team. The Black team will be coached by Swanton coach Ben Ohlemacher and former Rossford coach Tom Ferguson.

Pohlman said the game provides an opportunity for long time rivals to play as teammates.

"These kids have been knocking heads against each other for years," Pohlman said. "Now they get to be on the same side. They develop friendships."

Pohlman said another purpose is to raise funds to improve Perrysburg's athletic facilities. He said it roughly costs $4,400 to put on the event, which includes insurance costs, food, jerseys, programs, and tickets. The gate for the games has ranged from $8,000 to $10,000.

Pohlman said proceeds from the 50/50 raffle will be donated to the Lake School District. Its high school was destroyed June 5 by a tornado.

Chuck Long, the director of the all-star game, said planning for the event begins in December and is not finalized until the first day of practice.

"It's an honor for the seniors in northwest Ohio," Long said. "Some will go on to play in college, but a lot of these kids will never play again."

Long said the game will be played on FieldTurf at Steinecker Stadium, which was installed before last season.

"Even if it rains we'll be all right," Long said. "We haven't had it here for three years and we hope to get a good crowd. It's nice to have it back in Perrysburg."

Regional All-Star Game

Friday Night at Perrysburg

BLACK

Pat Dyer, St. Francis, K; Cheron Jenkins, Central Catholic, DB; Cody Keil, Bryan, DB; Alex Nossaman, Bryan, WR; Curtis Hansford, Tinora, DE; Gerren Duhart, Central, DB; Trevor Smith, Anthony Wayne, LB; Tevin Boykin, Whitmer, TE; Ryan Kremchek, Northview, QB; Mike Bridges, Anthony Wayne, QB; Dillon Flint, Ayersville, WR/DB; Aaron George, Patrick Henry, LB/DE; Tyler Johnston, DB/QB; Joe Missler, Whitmer, QB; Josiah Buttermore, Holgate, RB; Justin Buenger, Patrick Henry, RB; Lyndon Benecke, Tinora, DB; Jackson Langenderfer, Evergreen, LB; Brandon Hummer, Napoleon, RB; Trey Westrick, Archbold, WR; Blake Foor, Tinora, RB; Max Tunison, Northwood, DL; Evan Corbin, Central, LB; Torrence Garland, Northview, RB/LB; Cody Bloom, Napoleon, LB; John Weaver, Napoleon, LB; Anthony Frontine, Whitmer, OG; Cole Doren, Swanton, LB; Jake Kistner, Anthony Wayne, DL; Alex Purnell, Tinora, OL; Mitchel Holtz, Evergreen, DL; Cameron Yontz, Archbold, DL; Alex Kenzie, St. Francis, OL/DL; Kristofer Hrovatich, Southview, OL/DL; Josh Meyers, Archbold, DE; Andrew Pietras, Northwood, OL; Brandon Tantari, Lake, DE.

GOLD

Parish Wimberly, Start, DL; Ian Stubbins, Delta, WR/DB; Devon Price, Start, WR; Jeff Jasso, Wauseon, RB; Cody Stemen, Perrysburg, LB; Kyle Gladieux, Cardinal Stritch, DB; A.J. Zalewski, Cardinal Stritch, QB; Dan Noland, Perrysburg, LB; Jonathan Stoner, Bowling Green, WR; Erik Studyvin, Maumee; DB; Jake Elling, Liberty Center, LB/RB; Alex Handley, Scott, WR; Jeff Crowe, Edgerton, QB; Zach Crawford, Findlay, WR; Garrett Harvey, St. John's, LB; Damon Contat, Maumee, WR; Avery Potridge, Gibsonburg, RB; Malcolm Daniels, Scott, DB; Greg Hillabrand, Genoa, RB; J.C. Miller, Toledo Christian, K; Matt Marquette, Perrysburg, WR/DB; Dakota Sheets, Edgerton, LB; Miguel Garcia, Waite, LB/FB; Tom Crawford, Clay, OL/DL; Allen Sharp, Liberty Center, LB; Roy Tibbits, Liberty Center, DL/OL; Mike Gaston, Toledo Christian, DE; Nick Schrader, Perrysburg, DE; Bronson Knecht, Edgerton, OL; Corey Tyda, Bowling Green, DL; Ryan Williams, Otsego, OL; Garrett McQueen, Findlay, OL; Mike Mallernee, Oak Harbor, LB; Benjamin Baehren, Ottawa Hills, OL; Codey Tyda, Bowling Green, DL; Jake Schreuder, Genoa, OL; Peter Prchlik, Liberty Center.

Contact Mark Monroe at:

mmonroe@theblade.com

or 419-724-6354.