• Football in Serbia? Sure, thanks in part to Sidney High School.
The Yellow Jackets are among a half-dozen prep and college programs to donate equipment to Global Football, a program that’s dedicated to outfit fledgling football programs abroad. Sidney coach Adam Doenges reports Sidney helmets, shoulder pads, thigh pads, knee pads, jaw pads, neck rolls, footballs, a blocking shield and one clip board all were sent to Serbia and arrived this past Saturday.
Football programs from Ohio and Iowa teamed up to outfit the Balkan nation in used gear. Global Football has been in existence since 1996, providing amateur football players, coaches and families the chance to travel and compete internationally. There have been 23 countries in six continents that Global Football has touched since then, encompassing 350 teams and 14,000 travelers.
• Urbana senior linebacker D’Gary Wallace (Dunbar) is a first-team Preseason All-American as selected by USA College Football. The 26th annual preseason team was chosen by Football Writers’ Association members, head coaches and college sports information directors.
A two-time All-Mountain East Conference first-team pick, Wallace had 68 solo tackles and 115 stops last season, both a league high. He also had 18.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. In three season he’s totaled 40.5 tackles for loss, sixth all-time for the Blue Knights.
Urbana opens its season on Sept. 5 against visiting Glenville State. The Blue Knights first-year coach is Piqua grad Tyler Haines.
• Tyler Johnson (Stivers) and Taylor Middleton (Miami Valley) were double winners in the recent USATF youth track and field championships at Lisle, Ill.
Johnson swept the 400 meters (46.84) and 200 (21.54) and Middleton did likewise in the long jump (19 feet, 9 inches) and triple jump (39-9.25). Both represented the Northwest Track Club of Trotwood.
• Anyone up for an athletic scholarship to play women’s golf at Lourdes University in Sylvania? Veteran coach Gil Guerrero reports he has three scholarships available. Prospective players must own a 3.0-plus GPA and must have an ACT score of 23 or better. See the school’s website for more information.
• The start of preseason practice for all fall sports was last Saturday for, girls tennis, girls and boys golf, girls and boys cross country, girls and boys soccer, field hockey, girls volleyball and football.
• Of the 822 schools that are Ohio High School Athletic Association members, 717 field varsity football teams. Of those, 224 will qualify for the postseason. This is the second year for seven divisions of Ohio football.
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