The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
STRIPES ALL-STARS RELY ON BIG LINE
Clearview coach Collier impressed with squad’s ability to control the trenches
After four practices as a team, the Stripes all-stars had the same response when asked about the team’s biggest strength: offensive line.
“We’re really impressed with our offensive line,” Clearview’s Mike Collier, who is coaching the Stripes team this year, said. “I think they’ll do a nice job for us. ... If we can win up front in the trenches like every other game, those guys are going to do a nice job for us.”
The 2017 Winning Edge Lorain County Football Classic is 7 p.m. June 8 at Clearview High School.
Amherst quarterback Johnny Matakovich said he hasn’t seen a line quite this big in his time as a Comet, making his job all the more exciting.
“It’s definitely more exciting going into this game than any other game because I feel like I’ve got a little bit more time,” Matakovich said.
“I’ve never seen (such) a big line before. Being from Amherst, we’re a lot of small guys, but having two Firelands (players), some Lorain kids, it’s just way different. We’ve got lots of speed on the outside with three or four really good receivers, so it’s pretty different but it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
FirelandslinemanTrevorStefanski,
who is headed to Ashland in the fall to play football for the Eagles, said he’s equally impressed with the Stripes’ skill players.
“It’s kind of both line and the skill kids,” Stefanski said of the team’s strengths. “As long as we can get the plays down and get the right holes for them, anything can happen, honestly, but I feel our skill kids can do anything as long as us linemen do our job.”
Despite having only played against each other, it didn’t take long for the players to get in a groove as a team, and Collier attributes that to their leadership and coachability.
“These guys are pretty coachable so they pick it up pretty quick,” Collier said. “Most of them are pretty football savvy so we kept things simple. We didn’t try to do too much, but they picked it up very quickly and I think they’re going to have fun out there.
“It’s a great opportunity for the kids to get together and meet kids they may have read about in the newspaper or saw on Twitter. A lot of great personalities out here. Obviously they’re coachable kids coming from a lot of great programs and you can tell that all these guys are leaders on their teams, so when they come together, it’s a fun experience for everyone.”
Stefanski added: “It was a little difficult, but as soon as we got into practice mode again, everything came together. It’s been a blast playing with these guys.”
As is typical with any senior all-star game, the players are just happy for the opportunity to represent their school one last time before embarking on the next chapter.
“This is definitely one of the best parts, just lacing up the cleats and putting on the pads just one more time for your senior year,” Matakovich said.