The voice message said, “”You have reached Jason Hall, head football coach at Nordonia High School…”

Hall will quickly be changing that message to, “”You have reached Jason Hall, head football coach at Massillon High School…” if he hasn’t already.

On Thursday, Hall, 33, resigned as head coach at Nordonia after leading the Knights to a 10-2 record and an appearance in the Division I state semifinal game. Hall’s announcement ended weeks of speculations that he was the top candidate for the Massillon job, which became available when former coach Tom Stacy took the head coaching job at Green.

From the tone of Nordonia athletic director Rob Eckenrode’s voice, it appeared that Eckenrode may have been taken aback somewhat, considering Hall had coached Nordonia just one season. Maybe Eckenrode and the Nordonia supporters that Hall would spend more time there. But the high-profile Massillon job seemed to be too enticing for Hall to pass up.

“”I wish Jason luck,” Eckenrode said.

When asked if he thought Hall would leave, after hearing rumors that Hall was a leading candidate for the Massillon job, Eckenrode responded, “”I’d rather not comment. I need to look out for what’s best for Nordonia.”

One of the names already circulating as a possible replacement for Hall is actually a familiar name. It’s Keith Boedicker, who coached 11 seasons at Nordonia, compiled a 92-32 record and led the Knights to five appearances in the playoffs. Eckenrode declined to give any details as to any candidates or a timeline for hiring.

“”I’m not going to speculate on what’s going to happen next,” he said. “”Myself, the principal (Chuck Vrabel) and the superintendent (Wayne Blankenship) are going to get together and make the best possible decision for the school and the program.”

Telephone messages for Hall were not returned.[ep

Jason Hall was named the new football coach and assistant athletic director at Massillon on Thursday night.

He leaves Nordonia after one season.

Hall, a Columbus native, was given a three-year contract to become the 26th head coach in Massillon’s 113-year history. Hall, 33, replaces Tom Stacy, who resigned after three seasons and was hired as coach at Green. Hall, a three-time Division III All-American at Mount Union, will make $72,075 as the assistant athletic director and $13,000 as coach.

Massillon is the fourth head coaching job and third in three seasons for Hall. He began his career at Southeast and then, after two years, moved to Brush. After three years at Brush, he moved on to Nordonia.

Former Nordonia coach Keith Boedicker is believed to be a candidate to return. He had a 92-32 record and made five playoff appearances in 11 seasons.

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.

It appears as if Eastern Michigan has searched deep into Ohio plucking four area softball players to fill next year’s roster. Hoover’s Sarah Gerber (1B) and McKenna Russ (OF) are both already inked. As is Jackson’s Jess Richards (3B). Stow’s Allison Scherer (SS) will join her sister, Jenny Scherer ( a sophomore OF),  at EMU  as well.

Former Canton McKinley baseball shortstop Zack Leonard is also at EMU. The freshman is hitting .263 with two home runs in 20 games this season.

Freshman defensive back Judson Rambaud, Formerly of Akron St. Vincent St. Mary, and redshirt freshman wide receiver Corey Welch (Green High School) are on the football roster there.

North Canton Hoover James Georgiades has committed to continue his football and academic careers at the Ohio State University.

Georgiades will attempt to make the Buckeyes football team as a preferred walk-on.

Georgiades (6-1, 240) played on the offensive and defensive lines for the Vikings. He was an All-Ohio selection on defense after recording 15 tackles for loss as a senior and will try to make the transition to fullback at Ohio State.

Georgiades also plays on the Hoover baseball team.

Archbishop Hoban senior Will Fleming has orally committed to continue his academic and football careers at the University of Akron, Hoban coach Ralph Orsini said.

Fleming, a 6-foot-4 and 210-pound athlete who played safety, linebacker and wide receiver for the Knights, was a Division II All-Ohio Special Mention this past fall. He also earned first-team honors in the Northeast Inland district and in the North Coast League.

“He is going to bring toughness, he is a good athlete and I think he fits into what they are going to do at the University of Akron,” Orsini said. “I think he will be a really athletic linebacker. He will have to put on some weight to play that position, but he has also been successful at safety.”

Fleming’s father, Jim Fleming, is the Zips defensive coordinator and is in charge of safeties under UA coach J.D. Brookhart.

“He was looking for the right fit,” Orsini said. “There is a lot of excitement with the new stadium and the expansion of the campus and he really wanted to play for his father. He is a kid that plays the game with great passion. You can tell that he comes from a football family.”

Orsini said Fleming chose UA over scholarship offers from Hawaii, Boise State and Miami (Ohio). Fleming also received interest from Michigan State, Iowa, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Wake Forest and West Virginia.

“I am officially committed to the Akron Zips,” Will Fleming told the recruiting service rivals.com. “My dad was really excited about the news.”

Rivals.com gave Fleming three stars on a five star scale and has him as the 44th ranked player in Ohio’s class of 2008. Scout.com gave Fleming two stars and ranked him as the No. 123 safety in the country for the class of 2008.

Fleming and Knights senior teammate Steve Yoak, a running back, will play in the North/South All-Star game at Columbus Crew Stadium on June 14th.

North Canton Hoover senior James Georgiades is receiving interest from the Ohio State football team, Vikings wrestling coach and assistant football coach Brian Dolph said.

Georgiades, a 6-foot-1, 240-pound defensive lineman, was a first-team all-district selection and the district’s Defensive Player of the Year in Division I. He had 30 solo tackes and 15 tackles for loss for the Federal League champion Vikings.

Dolph, however, said the Buckeyes are recruiting Georgiades as a fullback. He would be a preferred walk-on.

Brian Cross has resigned as head football coach at Canton McKinley High School.

Cross, 56, has accepted a head football coaching and teaching position at a Columbus area high school named Olentangy Orange. Cross coached in the Columbus area for 18 years prior to arriving at McKinley.

“When my wife (Karen) and I looked down the road I really felt I would end up back in the Columbus area some day, whether it be as a coach or in retirement,” Cross said. “This opportunity came up and it was a very good situation. I get to open a new high school and build brand new traditions. That is something I have never had the opportunity to do and that is very exciting. It will be a challenge.”

“It’s a district that is in good shape finanically with several open teaching positions. It was just a situation I couldn’t pass up. My wife is from Grove City and she has a lot of family there. The timing was just good for us to make that move.”

Cross compiled a 41-21 record on five seasons at McKinley. The Bulldogs were Division I state runner-up once during his tenure and were also a state semifinalist once. He will stay at McKinley until June to lead the weightlifting program and help students.

“It was very difficult to leave Canton McKinley,” Cross said. “It has great tradition, great facilities and a strong community that supports high school football. During my time there I enjoyed working with our kids. The program was down a bit prior to my arrival and we got it going again and had some success. This past season was just a bad year. I think it was a situation where things just did not go our way. There will be a lot of kids coming back next year and I think the program will return to the top.”

McKinley will start a search for a new coach in January.

“I am sure there will be many candidates that will apply for the McKinley job,” Cross said. “When you hear those two words, ‘Canton McKinley’ you think of football, the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Fawcett Stadium.”

The Louisville football team had the most successful 2007 season among area high schools.

The Leopards lost to Cincinnati Anderson 31-25 in the Division II state final and finished with a record of 12-3. No other area team advanced to a state championship game. Brunswick made it to the Division I state semifinal but lost to Mentor.

I was looking at Louisville’s roster recently, and I it made me think that the Leopards are going to have what it takes to make another long playoff run next season.

Junior quarterback Neal Seaman and his favorite target, junior receiver Brandon Mathie, will be back. Junior defensive back Bob Swigert will also return.

Don’t get me wrong, though. The Leopards will need some younger players to step up and fill in for some defensive standouts who will be graduating, including defensive end Matt Schooley and linebackers Clay Swigert, Marcus Poyser and J.D. Whaley.

I think Louisville coach Paul Farrah will find the players to fill those holes, and the Leopards will be among the best area teams again in 2008.

Garfield senior Whitney Mercilus has orally committed to continue his football and academic career at Illinois.

Mercilus, 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, filled a variety of roles for the Golden Rams football team under coach Bob Sax. Mercilus played tight end on offense, kicked, punted and played defensive end.

Mercilus had 24 receptions for 417 yards and eight touchdowns this past season. He also made 36 solo tackles and had two sacks.