DIGITAL EXTRA
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Ohio High School Athletic Association assistant commissioner Jerry Snodgrass has one less subject on his bucket list: Attending an Alter/Fairmont season opening football game.
Snodgrass is a frequent visitor to schools throughout Ohio. As the OHSAA liaison to soccer, he often addresses those programs. He also has a great interest in football and is a former longtime and successful boys basketball coach.
“You know what, I love this,” said Snodgrass prior to Friday’s kickoff at Roush Stadium in Kettering. “There’s nothing better in Ohio, not just football, but all sports. It’s wonderful.”
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The OHSAA has taken a proactive approach in maintaining relations with schools, the public and media since Dr. Dan Ross has been the commissioner, and Snodgrass is proof of that. He said last week he spoke at several parents’ meetings across the state and was the featured speaker a several meet-the-team events. “That was really an enlightening thing; more on a motivational side, which I like,” said Snodgrass.
Ross has been hard hit by a series of health issues the last 18 months. Former board of directors president Dave Gray was named interim OHSAA commissioner this summer. Gray spent 37 years in the Franklin Monroe school district.
Alter beat Fairmont 27-8 in a game that resumed on Saturday because of multiple lightning delays Friday.
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“You talk about a great community event and a great community stadium,” Snodgrass said of Roush. “I think that brings so much to it. (Fairmont AD) Chris (Weaver) has been asking me for some time to come and I couldn’t wait to get here.”
Snodgrass’ super-sized point guard at Findlay High School? Ben Roethlisberger.
ALTER WINS: Knights post 27-8 win on Sat.
• Wayne football coach Jay Minton said the OHSAA likely will rule a 21-all tie in Friday's season opener against visiting Archbishop Wood of Philadelphia. That had been in doubt because Wood refused to return for the second half, which was to be played on Saturday.
Minton said he had been contacted by OHSAA assistant commissioner Beau Rugg about the outcome. Other possibilities were a forfeit win for Wayne or a no-contest. Minton said he was told several key Wood players had other commitments on Saturday and were unable to play.
“Just goes to show you have no control over out-of-state teams and we are a little at their mercy,” Minton texted. “Hopefully, we can stay in Ohio and play (next season).”
That game was part of the Premier Health Backyard Blitz, a creation of Flyin’ to the Hoop founder Eric Horstman and in its third season. It was supposed to have been a doubleheader, but Horstman couldn’t secure a second game.
• Coldwater seems to have found a capable replacement at quarterback for grad Jack Hemmelgarn, the state’s 2015 Division V offensive player of the season. Senior Dylan Thobe was brilliant in a 58-39 win at Kenton. He completed 16 of 23 passes for 317 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 116 yards and five scores. The Cavs take a 24-game win streak to Delphos Jefferson on Friday.
• Thursday’s ABC 22 / FOX 45 football game is Springfield Shawnee (1-0) at Tippecanoe (1-0). The game will be shown live on Channel 45.2.
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