Hey everyone! This is my column that’s running in the Akron Beacon Journal Friday, but it’s posted on Ohio.com now, as you can see. Thanks to everyone who submitted votes for their favorite high school nicknames. If there are other crazy nicknames from out of state, post them so we can all get some laughs. Thanks again!

Neal Kopp enters his first season as Coventry’s coach with just six total returning starters.

“The biggest thing we are trying to change is the overall culture of the program and the philosophy of the program,” Kopp said. “I am excited that our kids have shown the willingness to be disciplined.”

Kopp, a former coach at Austintown Fitch praised senior two-way linemen Jimmy Mashburn’s leadership skills and said seniors Mike Smith, Randy Henline and Colton May will play tailback. Senior two-way lineman J.D. Lucas is also expected to make an impact, along with sophomore quarterback Jeff Kuykendall and junior wide receivers-defensive backs Zach Stover and Zach Sherbourne.

Mashburn, Smith, seniors Beau Cross, Brandon Burns, David Bulgrin and Derek Bauer are the Comets returning starters.

Check Thursday’s Akron Beacon Journal for a special section in the newspaper that previews the 2009 season.

Here is a list of 2009 Football Recruiting Classes for the University of Akron, Kent State, Ohio State and other local high school players that signed with other schools.

NOTE: This information was obtained from high schools and colleges in person or via e-mail, fax, mail, etc. There will be additional local players that will sign at a later date.

UA, KSU & OSU 2009 FOOTBALL CLASSES:

AKRON (24) — Bill Alexander, 5-10, 165, DB, Whigham, Ga.; Broderick Alexander, 6-2, 215, RB, Covington, Ga.; David Anderson, 6-2, 220, LB, Cincinnati; Jake Brandt, 6-6, 255, OL, Bexley, Ohio; Josh Couch, 6-3, 220, P, Carlisle, Ohio; Jake Delmonico, 5-11, 175, DB, Beaver Falls, Pa.; Jerrod Dillard, 6-5, 190, WR, Adrian, Mich.; Blake Fraley, 6-1, 225, LB, Hilliard, Ohio; Dee Friesen, 5-9, 165, WR, Jacksonville, Fla.; Randy Greenwood, 5-11, 180, WR, Fairport Harbor, Ohio; Chris Henderson, 6-2, 325, DL, Harrisburg, Pa.; Abdullah Homayed, 6-4, 235, DL, Dearborn, Mich.; Jordan Houser, 5-11, 180, DB, Fairborn, Ohio; Jeremy LaFrance (Jr.), 6-1, 200, WR, New Orleans; Anthony Meriwether, 6-2, 190, WR, Cleveland; Patrick Nicely, 6-4, 220, QB, Willoughby; Joe Petrides, 6-6, 255, OL, Baltimore; Nolan Procter, 5-9, 170, WR, Southfield, Mich.; Jon Root, 6-6, 225, TE, Fairview, Pa.; Adam Steiner, 6-2, 215, LS, Canton (GlenOak); Phil Tonga (Jr.), 6-4, 275, DL, Torrance, Calif.; Joe Vidovic, 6-6, 265, OL, Willoughby; Diamond Weaver (Jr.), 5-10, 180, DB, Mobile, Ala.; Grant Williams, 6-5, 220, TE, Louisville, Ky.

KENT STATE (22) — Dri Archer, 5-7, 155, RB, Laurel, Fla.; Tyler Arend, 6-5, 295, OL, Paulding, Ohio; Luke Batton, 6-0, 200, LB, Macedonia (Nordonia); Anthony Bowman, 5-10, 168, ATH/RB, Detroit, Mich.; Dana Brown, 6-1, 265, DL, McKeesport, Pa.; Ed Cazenave, 6-2, 180, WR, Dallas, Ga.; Freddy Cortez, 6-0, 200, PK, Fort Meade, Fla.; Mike Daniels, 6-0, 195, DB, Greenville, N.C.; Jake Dooley, 6-2, 215, LB, Mason, Ohio; Zack Gonosz, 5-10, 185, S, Dallas, Ga.; Tyshon Goode, 6-1, 185, WR, Syracuse, N.Y.; Danny Gress, 6-1, 220, LB, Englewood, Ohio; DeVonte’ Helms, 6-3, 260, DL, Waldorf, Md.; Garrick Piggott, 6-1, 200, DB, Williamsburg, Va.; Max Plunkett, 6-8, 305, OL, Dayton; Darius Polk, 6-0, 180, DB, Lynchburg, Va.; Fabrice Pratt, 6-2, 180, DB, Miami; C.J. Steward, 6-1, 215, LB, Jacksonville, Fla.; Bryan Wagner, 6-5, 290, TE, Mantua (Crestwood); Jeff Walker, 6-5, 200, WR, Akron (Coventry); Kent Walker, 6-2, 235, LB, Kittanning, Pa.; Brian Winters, 6-5, 320, OL, Hudson (Hudson).

OHIO STATE (25) — C.J. Barnett, 6-1, 180, DB, Clayton, Ohio; Dorian Bell, 6-2, 220, LB, Monroeville, Pa.; Adam Bellamy, 6-4, 275, OL, Aurora (Aurora); Jaamal Berry, 5-10, 185, RB, Miami; Zach Boren, 6-1, 245, LB, Pickerington, Ohio; Corey Brown, 6-1, 190, ATH, Monroeville, Pa.; Duron Carter, 6-3, 185, WR, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Dominic Clarke, 5-10, 170, DB, Frederick, Md.; Melvin Fellows, 6-5, 255, DT, Garfield Heights; Chris Fields, 6-1, 180, WR, Painesville; Reid Fragel, 6-8, 258, TE, Grosse Pte., Mich.; Kenny Guiton, 6-2, 182, QB, Aldine, Texas; Jordan Hall, 5-11, 190, RB, Jeannette, Pa.; Marcus Hall, 6-6, 300, OL, Cleveland; Adam Homan, 6-2, 230, LB, Coldwater, Ohio; Carlos Hyde, 6-1, 235, RB, Naples, Fla.; James Jackson, 6-0, 175, WR, Grand Ledge, Mich.; Storm Klein, 6-2, 225, LB, Newark, Ohio; Corey Linsley, 6-4, 285, OL, Youngstown; Sam Longo, 6-5, 270, OL, Bellbrook, Ohio; Jack Mewhort, 6-6, 285, OL, Toledo; Jonathan Newsome, 6-3, 230, LB, Cleveland; John Simon, 6-3, 265, DT, Youngstown; Jordan Whiting, 6-1, 230, LB, Louisville, Ky.; Jamie Wood, 6-2, 185, ATH, Pickerington.

OTHER LOCAL FOOTBALL PLAYERS THAT SIGNED:

ASHLAND — Anthony Capasso, 5-11, 197, Soph. WR, Lakewood, (Kent State transfer); Cooper Ivan, 5-8, 171, DB, Massillon (Washington); Keith Dingler, 6-3, 260, OL, Massillon (Washington); David Lee, 5-7, 165, DB, Akron (St. Vincent-St. Mary); Matt Rose, 6-2, 250, DL, Canton (Massillon Washington); Ethan Scott, 5-9, 185, DB, Akron (Archbishop Hoban); Andrew Volcheck, 5-10, 210, LB/DB, Tallmadge (Archbishop Hoban).

BALL STATE — Armand Dehaney, 5-9, 178, WR/DB, Maple Heights (Walsh Jesuit).

BOWLING GREEN — John Pettigrew, 5-10, 185, RB, Maple Heights (Cuyahoga Valley Christian
Academy); Alex Thomas, 6-2, 218, LB, Stow (Stow-Munroe Falls).

FINDLAY — Monterae Williams, 5-9, 185, RB, Canton (McKinley).

INDIANA — Pat McShane, 6-5, 290, OL/DT, Stow (Walsh Jesuit).

INDIANA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA — Cory Lanterman, 6-1, 180, WR, (Streetsboro).

MIAMI (OHIO) — Brian Slack, 6-5, 228, TE-DL, Akron (Archbishop Hoban).

MICHIGAN — Justin “J.T.” Turner, 6-2, 185, CB-RB, Massillon (Washington).

MICHIGAN STATE — Nate Klatt, 6-4, 280, C, Canal Fulton (Northwest).

MILFORD ACADEMY — Mikey Bickley, 6-0, 170, WR, Akron (East); Jackie Adams, 6-1, 195 RB/LB, Akron (East).

NORTHWESTERN — Brian Smith, 6-8, 295, OL/DT, Medina (Walsh Jesuit).

OHIO DOMINICAN — Jon Haught, 5-11, 220, LB/RB, Cuyahoga Falls (Walsh Jesuit); Garrett Wilcox, 6-3, 225, LB, Streetsboro (St. Vincent-St. Mary).

ROBERT MORRIS — Matt Gavin, 5-10, 160 CB, Akron (East).

WALSH — Jesse Mason, 6-2, 190, QB, (Green); Dominic Williams, 5-9, 186, DB/RB, Akron (Archbishop Hoban).

WEST VIRGINIA — Chris Snook, 6-2, 220, FB-LB, Medina (Highland).

YOUNGSTOWN STATE — Theo Barnes, 6-3, 240, DL, Akron (Archbishop Hoban); Conner Seeman, 6-4, 250, TE, (Copley).

Coventry senior Jeff Walker has made an oral commitment to continue his academic and football careers at Kent State University.

Walker, 6-foot-5 and 200 pounds, was a three-year varsity starter for the Comets after missing his freshman season due to injury. His primary position is wide receiver and he also played free safety and quarterback. KSU recruited him to play receiver in the Mid-American Conference.

“I really think it’s a good thing for him,” Coventry coach Jay Newcome said. “It’s a great opportunity for him to further his education and to get to play football. I think it’s a great fit. He is a receiver with great hands and great ability.”

Newcome said Walker holds the career reception and single season reception records at Coventry.

The Associated Press tabbed Walker as a special mention All-Ohio and a first-team All-Northeast Ohio Inland district selection in Division III this past fall.

“With his size, speed and his thickness, I think he might be able to turn that into early playing time,” Newcome said. “Down the road, I think definitely he can be a marquee player in the MAC.”

- Michael Beaven

When it comes to track, it’s always about who ran the fastest, jumped the highest or threw the shot or the discus the farthest. But sometimes there are stories, GREAT, INSPRATIONAL STORIES, that don’t have to do with who won.

For instance, I remember watching the local news in the fall, I think it was, and there was an amazing story about a young lady (she may have been from the Youngstown area), who was competing in the state high school cross country meet and was almost near the finish line. Then came a gruesome sight. She broke her leg on the course and fell to the ground.

But this young lady had the courage and fortitude to crawl and limp her way to the finish line, despite being in obvious pain.

It was a story of incredible self-will. This young lady needed medical help, but she didn’t want it. She was withering with pain but she wanted to finish that race, and if you watched the video, you couldn’t help but get a little emotional, knowing she was in a world of pain. But watching her will her way to that finish line, regardless of the pain she was experiencing, was breathtaking and moving.

The yound lady gave a great television interview a few days later and it was great to see she was doing well and was in good spirts. I think she even joked that all she was thinking about, when she went down, was that she wasn’t going to be able to dance at her sister’s wedding later that night.

I witnessed another incredible story, but it didn’t involve injury. A few years ago I was covering a regional track meet at Ravenna and the Copley girls were favored in this particular relay event. As the race began, Copley was right there, as expected. But during one of the exchanges, the baton was dropped and the team was out of the race.

The young lady who dropped the baton was devasted. I mean, I had never seen an athlete more distraught. What I found out later was that the young lady was only a sophomore and there were two seniors on that relay team. The sophomore felt she had blown it for the seniors because it was their last chance to make it to state.

She was on the infield of the track, as the race was still going, slumped over an emotional ball.

She just shuddered and shook as she cried.

Then, former Copley standout Carrie Dyer, who was a senior and on that relay team, ran to the young runner to comfort her.

Then the rest of the realy team followed.

To me, that was one of the most inspirational stories I had ever witnessed.

The sophomore was heartbroken. But she was heartbroken because she cared about her teammates and wanted to perform at her best so that it would help the seniors.

It didn’t happen. But when it didn’t happen, the seniors weren’t mad, bitter or upset. They showed support for their younger teammate because they loved her. And in the end, winning didn’t matter.

So, with that, I’m asking readers to post any inspirational stories you witnessed, in track or any other sport, that didn’t involve someone winning.

A story where someone overcame odds to get where they are. Or a story about teammates helping one another.

Those are the most compelling stories.

There are a few scores that stood out in week 2 of high school football. Here is what I noticed:

North beat Coventry 32-22. That means North is 2-0. North is undefeated after the first two weeks for the first time since 1976. The Vikings are off to this rare start with first-year head coach Ken Johnson leading the way.

Johnson is a 1990 graduate of North who dreamed of becoming head coach at his alma mater one day. After 15 years as an assistant, he got his chance and he’s taking advantage of his opportunity. Congratulations to coach Johnson and the Vikings for their good start.

Click here for some North-Coventry game notes and quotes from Johnson.

Tallmadge defeated Ellet 17-7. The Blue Devils keep winning but it’s not by the margin of victory expected for the Beacon Journal’s preseason No. 1 team.

Last week, Tallmadge defeated Cuyahoga Falls 17-14, which raised the question: Is Tallmadge overrated of is Cuyahoga Falls underrated?

Cuyahoga Falls went on to lose to Wadsworth 38-14 in week 2. Click here to watch a really cool behind-the-scenes video of the Cuyahoga Falls-Wadsworth game.

Stow defeated Kent Roosevelt 45-20. The Bulldogs have already matched their 2006 season total for wins by earning a 2-0 start.

Stow beat Kenmore in a rout in week 1. But the Bulldogs did the same thing last year, then went on to finished with a record of 2-8. However, Stow appears to be a much improved team this year. The Bulldogs aren’t just winning games, they are thrashing their opponents.

Are there any teams surprising you? Let me know.

Here is a preseason look at Portage Trail Conference Metro Division football for the 2007 season. In this post, you will find players (and any all-star recognition they received in the league last season) to watch from each team and my predictions for the upcoming season.

KENT ROOSEVELT (10-1 overall, 7-0 in the PTC Metro last year; PTC Metro champs)

Top players: Senior kicker Emily Moran (first-team PTC Metro Division special teams, special-mention All-Ohio and first-team all-district in Division II), junior DB-RB Tyler Lohr (second-team defense).

CRESTWOOD (6-2, 5-2)

Top players: Senior OL-DL Jake Roman (first-team offense), senior Jimmy Porter (second-team defense), senior Mark Mikula (second-team defense).

COVENTRY (8-3, 5-2)

Top players: Junior WR Jeff Walker (first-team offense and second-team all-district in Division III), senior Matt Myers (first-team defense), senior OL-DL Vince Magestro (second-team defense).

RAVENNA (6-4, 5-2)

Top players: Senior LB-FB Roy Davis (first-team defense), senior WR-DB Jonathan Davis (second-team offense), Drew Trammel (second-team offense), Stephen Fejedelem (second-team offense), Brad Hager (second-team defense), Mike Petrone (second-team defense), junior RB-DB Blayre Davis.

SOUTHEAST (5-5, 3-4)

Top players: Senior OL-DL Greg Lemley (first-team offense), senior TE-LB Kyle Johnston (first-team offense), Ed Burke (first-team special teams), senior FB-LB Chad Eatinger (second-team offense), junior OL-DL Christian Kainrad (second-team defense).

FIELD (5-5, 2-5)

Top players: Senior OL-DL Kris Adams (first-team offense), senior RB Seth Koosed (first-team offense), senior DB Ronnie Adkins (first-team defense), senior DL-OL Brent Ulreich (second-team defense), senior Zach Miller (second-team defense).

NORTON (2-8, 1-6)

Top player: Senior QB Jeremy Perry (honorable mention PTC Metro Division).

SPRINGFIELD (0-10, 0-7)

Here are my predictions for the order in which the teams will finish in the PTC Metro Division this season:

1. Ravenna

2. Crestwood

3. Coventry

4. Southeast

5. Kent Roosevelt

6. Field

7. Norton

8. Springfield

Here is my explanation: Of the three teams that finished in a tie for second place in the league standings last year, Ravenna has the most upside. The Ravens have 17 returning starters and 19 seniors. Defending PTC Metro Division champion Kent Roosevelt lost several key players, including Youngstown State Univeristy quarterback recruit David Rogers, to graduation, so winning another league title seems to be unlikely. Crestwood lost its main offensive threat: Kent State Univeristy RB recruit Alan Vanderink. Coventry also lost its star player: QB Chase Carris. However, Ravenna has its star players back. The Ravens will be led on both sides of the ball by Roy Davis, Jonathan Davis and Blayre Davis. And yes, they are all cousins. I wrote a story about them that will appear in the Beacon Journal’s football preview, which will be released Wednesday. On another note, if there is one player that you should try to see this season, it’s Coventry junior wide receiver Jeff Walker. I saw Walker, 6-foot-4, 195-pound, play last year, and he was amazing. He finished the season with 54 catches for 874 yards and eight touchdowns and was a second-team all-district selection in Division III as a sophomore. Carris was a very good high school quarterback and some might say his departure could affect Walker. But I think Walker will have another great season no matter who the quarterback is because he can get open, and he has the athletic ability to gain yards after the catch.

Tell me what you think of these predictions. How do you think the league will turn out?