DAYTON -- Nick Holley hopes his future football career at Kent State University includes more meaningful games than the one he played Saturday. It's unlikely, however, that he'll ever play in a game more memorable. Less than 24 hours after learning his mother had passed away, Holley helped the North to a 33-27 win over the South in the...
DAYTON -- Nick Holley hopes his future football career at Kent State University includes more meaningful games than the one he played Saturday. It's unlikely, however, that he'll ever play in a game more memorable.
Less than 24 hours after learning his mother had passed away, Holley helped the North to a 33-27 win over the South in the Division I-III game at the 68th annual OHSFCA North-South Classic at Dayton's Welcome Stadium.
Holley, a quarterback who led Toledo Whitmer to the Division I state championship game and a state semifinal win over Mentor, was informed Friday night during the Classic banquet that his mom had taken her own life.
"She had some (personal) stuff going on," Holley said. "It was a long process. She decided."
Holley played through the pain.
"I've faced a lot of questions today . . . 'Is your head in it?' . . . 'Do you want to play?' . . . 'What are you going to do?' " Holley said. "There was no doubt. I know she'd want me to play, so I did. I dedicated it to her. It was emotional."
Holley carried the ball a game-high 11 times for 68 yards and a touchdown.
Cleveland strong: Trailing, 21-14, at halftime, the North rallied behind a defense fueled mostly by Cleveland octane.
Glenville defensive back Chris Worley (Ohio State) was named the North Defensive Player of the Game after registering a team-high five tackles, including a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss.
Euclid's Linden Stephens and Solon's Darian Hicks (Michigan State) each had interceptions, while St. Ignatius' Kevin Kavalec (Boston College), Brecksville-Broadview Heights' Mike Taylor (Stanford) and Hudson's Ben Gedeon (Michigan) each had a sack and tackle for loss.
"We were limited in what we could do scheme-wise so that kind of hurt us," Worley said. "But I'm very proud of the defensive staff and players. We came back in the second half and played strong."
Said Tyler: "Our defensive front was from Cleveland and we all got real tight. We got it done. We're proud of what we did today."
Trifecta: When asked who on his own team impressed during practices, Hicks offered up Massillon Washington receiver Gareon Conley (Ohio State).
"I didn't think he was all that fast but when we went against each other in practice he got me a couple times," Hicks said. "I got him too, though. I'd say we were even."
Not exactly.
Hooking up with Massillon teammate Kyle Kempt on three touchdown passes, Conley was named the North's Offensive MVP. Kempt was the game MVP.
Hicks was stopped three yards short of taking his interception to the house.
"Thought I was going to score," Hicks joked. "It didn't happen."
Helping Hand: Kavalec's sack was of Dublin Coffman quarterback James Walsh. Why is that big? Both are headed to Boston College.
"When I met him at the dinner last night he told me that if I got a shot on him in the game to take it easy and help him up," Kavalec said. "It's funny that it actually happened."
Future Zip: Akron receiver recruit Austin Wolf (Lebanon) caught a 68-yard touchdown pass for the South. Wolf originally committed to Cincinnati before then-coach Butch Jones left for Tennessee. Speaking of the Vols, Wolf's cousin is Minster junior tight end Ethan Wolf who recently committed to Tennessee.
Thunder foot: During pre-game warm-ups (and with a stiff wind at his back) Copley's Joshua Brebant (Northern Illinois) made a 70-plus yard field goal.
Welcome back? Although the Dayton Public School administration double-booked Welcome Stadium and kickoff was delayed by an hour so a Special Olympics track meet could conclude, OHSFCA leaders said they plan to bring the games back to Dayton.
Eric Frantz is a writer for jjhuddle.com