West Virginia ready to play football

WEST LIBERTY School rivalries are one of the aspects that make high school football a highly emotional game. During Sunday's 64th Annual Rudy Mumley Ohio Valley Athletic Conference All-Star Football Charity Classic, many of those rivals come together to create a team, making it a unique event.

Madonna offensive lineman Vic DeCaria is excited to take the field with guys that are normally on the opposite sideline.

"All of the rivalries that we've had with teams like Wheeling Central and Bishop Donahue makes that great. The competitiveness between us is great," DeCaria said. "It has made for a very interesting week."

The 6-foot, 185-pound lineman notes his size as being a motivation for him.

"This is definitely an honor," DeCaria said. "The fact there are so many players in the OVAC and so many different teams that are picked from for this game, it is an honor.

"It makes it especially great because I am so small for my position. That makes it even more special for me."

DeCaria, who is heading to West Liberty State College in the fall is unsure about his future with the sport.

"I'm going to play my heart out. I love football and it is always on my mind. I sit home and think about whether or not I should walk on at West Liberty," DeCaria said. "It is a tough decision, but I'll be playing my heart out and practicing my heart out for this one."

Oak Glen's Jacob Porter and Brooke's Jon Hood echoed DeCaria's sentiment that playing with past rivals makes this all-star game an important one.

"This has been really special, because I've been going against some of these guys for what seems like forever," Porter said. "Now, to be teammates with them, it is kind of a big deal for me. It is cool to have all of these different guys that come from different systems and run different plays come together.

We're all learning things together."

Hood agreed.

"It is really interesting to play with the kids that I once played against. Some of them, I beat, some I lost to, and some I never played against," Hood said. "But, this gives me the opportunity to see some of the big stars that I played against."

Porter is headed to Fairmont State University and will not continue his football career, while Hood will take his kicking duties to West Virginia Wesleyan College.

"I really enjoyed playing all four years at Brooke," Hood said. "It was a good time and it is something that I will miss badly. It is something that I am never going to have back. I am happy that I get to move on and play in college. But, this really means a lot that I can play one more high school game.

"It means a lot just to put on this green and gold helmet again."

Weir linebacker Artie Chappell will be headed to the Coast Guard in the fall, but he is going to enjoy his final competitive football game.

"This is a great honor, for sure. I'm sure it will be emotional afterwards," Chappell said. "But, I just want to enjoy this while I can."

The game will take place at Wheeling Island Stadium and it is set to kickoff at 7:15 p.m., Sunday.

(Newman can be contacted at anewman@heraldstaronline.com)