By Dave BerkFOX Sports Next
We look at the Division IV-VI roster for the Ohio North-South Classic to be held Saturday at 4:00 P.M. at Welcome Stadium in Dayton, Ohio.
South head coach Justin Kropka (Harrison Central) will look at a couple of major college talents and several high level players to help the South team battle for a victory in Saturday’s annual Ohio North-South Classic.
With a new format in 2013, more of Ohio’s top players will put on the pads one final time and represent their school and region in the long running classic.
Note: This article is based on the roster released to the media prior to the game and is subject to change.
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks Austin Bruns (Coldwater / Ashland) and Matt Kinnick (St. Clairsville / West Virginia State) will look to lead the South team to victory in the first Division IV-VI game in the Ohio North-South Classic.
The duo will look for running back and Miami Ohio signee Heath Harding (Dayton Christian) to provide speed and the ability to score each time he touches the ball along with fellow backs Patrick Lewis (Ironton) and Donyelle Simpson (Heath) to open up the passing game.
Lining up at receiver will be Purdue signee Dan Monteroso (St. Clairsville), Nick Weaver (CHCA), Markus Johnson (Deer Park), Landon Hormann (West Liberty Salem), Luke Hammond (Oak Hill) and tight end Nick Pelegreen (Harrison Central / Marietta).
Up front the South will look for Jake Weaver (Miami) from state champion Clinton-Massie to provide protection and open up running lanes. He’ll be joined by Will Steur (Madeira / Cincinnati), Kyle Mescher (Marion Local), Doug Hardin (Westfall / Urbana), Andrew Garland (Lima Bath / Urbana), Corey Ernest (St. Clairsville / West Liberty) and David Cline (Zanesville Rosecrans).
DEFENSE
Notre Dame signee Jacob Matuska (Bishop Hartley) will be joined by Trent Smart (Clinton-Massie / Ohio), Armand Walker (Summit Country Day / Morehead State), Dominic Leugers (St. Henry / Univ. NW Ohio), J.J. Hettinger (Lucasville Valley), Isaiah Blevins (North Union / Ashland) and Luke Hannan (Liberty Union) in the trenches.
At linebacker will be West Virginia signee Darrien Howard (Dayton C-J) who will be joined by Kevin Bourne (Newark Catholic / Kent State), Zach Dickman (Coldwater / Mount St. Joseph) and Kellan Mutschelknaus (Sugarcreek Garaway / Miami) looking to clean up anything not stopped up front.
In the secondary will be Zach Yousey (Harvest Prep / Toledo), Jamel Sanders (Dayton C-J / Air Force), Jerrid Marhefka (St. Clairsville / Ohio), Marcellus Calhoun (Bishop Hartley / Marist) and Tevin Brown (North College Hill).
SPECIAL TEAMS
Handling the kicking duties for the South will be Miami East product Ross Snodgrass.
