NORTH/SOUTH CLASSIC
When: Saturday.
Where: Welcome Stadium, Dayton.
Times: Noon Divisions IV-VII; 4 p.m. Divisions I-III.
Tickets: $10 at the gate (good for both games).
It was Steve Channell’s goal to land the annual Ohio North/South Classic all-star football games in Southwest Ohio, and specifically the Dayton area. The game’s director did just that, making Welcome Stadium its most recent home.
Now, keeping it is the goal.
“The game is on very solid ground now,” said Channell, the head coach at Miamisburg. “That’s why I’m hoping for good attendance on Saturday to show Dayton can put on the event and support it and doesn’t need a change of venue.”
In its fourth year here, the North/South doubleheader will be held on Saturday. The small-school game – Divisions IV-VII – will play at noon and the big-schools – Divisions I-III – at 4 p.m.
At least five incoming Ohio State University recruits are expected to play: North big-school members Kierre Hawkins (Maple Heights tight end) and Damario McCall (North Ridgeville running back) and North small-school members Gavin Cupp (Leipsic offensive lineman) and Luke Farrell (Perry tight end). OSU’s only rep on the South is big-schools member Malik Harris (Walnut Ridge linebacker).
Just a few years ago no Ohio State recruit played.
The North’s head coaches are Scott Garcia of GlenOak (big schools) and Rossford’s Todd Drusback (small schools). The South’s head coaches are Chad Grandstaff of Zanesville (big schools) and Coldwater’s Chip Otten (small schools). The games are sponsored by the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association and are for seniors only.
A renovation of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and its surrounding area in Canton should be completed by this time next year. Besides hoping to lure the high school state football championship weekend back from Columbus, Stark County also has expressed a desire for the North/South game to return to Canton, where it was initially held at Fawcett Stadium next to the hall of fame.
“There’s support within the community and business area that helps,” Channell said. “Southwest Ohio doesn’t get the state-title final events and this is a venue for the Dayton area to shine.”
Players will arrive today and stay at the Marriott at the University of Dayton. They’ll have separate practices today and Friday at the stadium and a banquet on Friday night.
The North swept both games last year, 24-14 (big schools) and 20-13 (small schools).
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