The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Hilltoppers champs college-bound
Some players from the winning season are parlaying their performances into opportunities to play college ball.
It’s been a special school year for the Chardon football team, even amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The Hilltoppers won the Division III state championship in November, a thrilling 31-28 double-overtime victory over Columbus DeSales that gave the program its first state title since 1994.
Now a number of the players on that team are parlaying their performances into opportunities to play college football.
Offensive lineman Nick Fay has signed with Division II Lake Erie College on a football scholarship. Additionally, quarterback Drew Fetchik has committed to Marietta and
safety Brady Toth is headed to Akron as a preferred walk-on.
They’ll join defensive end Myles Mendeszoon — who signed with Iowa State during the early signing period in December — and others such as defensive lineman Gavin Slife and cornerback Kevin Doyle (who have yet to commit) and other Hilltoppers who will play on Saturdays starting next fall.
Yes, it’s a good time to be a Hilltopper.
“It shows what the program creates,” said Fay, a first-team All-Ohioan. “We all bought in, and now we’re going to bring that culture to other places. Us going on to play college football shows what a program can do for you if you buy in — it’ll get you places, even if you’re not playing college football.
“You’re set for life with the lessons you’ll learn here at Chardon.”
A 5-foot-11, 260-pound road-grader of an offensive lineman at Chardon, Fay is going to be switching to the defensive line at Lake Erie College. He had offers from Tiffin, Findlay and Baldwin-Wallace, among others, but the ascension of Coach Reilly Murphy’s program at Lake Erie caught Fay’s eye.
“It wasn’t the greatest program in the past,” Fay said, “but these coaches are creating something new. It’s going to be sweet to be part of something legendary there.”
Fay, a weightroom junkie who squats 550 pounds and benches 330, said he wants to major in science and minor in special education, with the idea of coaching someday.
“Hopefully at Chardon,” he said.
Coach Mitch Hewitt is counting on it.
“Selfishly, I’m glad he’s staying close to home,” Hewitt said. “Every second he’s free, he’ll be here at Chardon helping. He doesn’t know that yet, but he will be.”
Fetchik had a dynamic season in his first year as the quarterback of the Hilltoppers, piloting a run-heavy offense. He finished the season passing for 1,089 yards and 12 touchdowns, while running
for 750 yards and 14 scores.
To cap his high school career, Fetchik was 9-for14 passing for 249 yards and two scores. He also rushed for 87 yards and a score on 19 attempts.
But at Marietta, he will be learning a pass-heavy, run-pass option offense that Pioneer coaches feel is right in Fetchik’s wheelhouse.
“The coaches from Marietta said I have a lot of untapped potential,” he said. “I’m excited to be in a pass-based offense.” Hewitt agreed. “His progress from this time last year to now is unbelievable,” Hewitt said. “We’re not a prolific passing offense. If he’s going to dedicate two hours to his skill set at the college
level, the sky is the limit for him.
“People think you need to go to some school that throws 40-some times a game to get noticed. Koby (Andrew Kobuszewski) is at John Carroll and Drew is going to Marietta. Anyone who thinks they have to shop their kid around (to go to college) are being deceived.”
Toth earned first team All-Ohio as a safety. The 6-foot-5, multi-sport athlete shared the team lead with three interceptions. He also averaged 22 yards per catch on offense.
Toth will play receiver at Akron.
“I’ve been talking to Akron ever since the start of my senior year,” Toth said. “I love how they are giving me the chance to prove
myself. It’s a blessing and I am thankful for the opportunity.”
The litany of players moving on to the college level pleases Hewitt maybe even more so than the state championship itself. It’s a culmination of hard work over the years that came to fruition in success on the football field and in the classroom.
But on top of that, Hewitt said, it’s a benchmark for the future, as a blueprint of success for those yet to comer.
“To sign to play at the next level is a whole new ball of wax,” Hewitt said. “You’ve got to love the game. It’s a testament to the kids. And we’re blessed here. The kids have tasted that success and the expectations here are high.”