By Duane Cochran
For the Times West Virginian
FAIRMONT
May 16, 2008 01:24 am
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Fairmont State football coach Mike Lopez was adamant this past off season about recruiting the best players he could out of the state of West Virginia.
At last check 33 of Falcons’ recruits for the fall of 2008 hail from the Mountain State and no less than 13 of those individuals will take part in the Marriott-sponsored 56th annual North-South All-Star Football Classic June 21 at University of Charleston Stadium in Charleston.
“We do have a lot of kids playing in that game and that’s a good thing,” said Lopez, who guided FSU to a 6-5 mark last fall, the program’s first winning season since 2001. “Our point of emphasis in recruiting is the state of West Virginia and certainly this a great reward for our staff.
“When I started here under Rusty Elliott he always placed an emphasis on recruiting the best in-state talent that we could and I just want to continue that. To have 13 kids and possibly even a few more before it’s all said and done play in this game is a pay off for us. It says our philosophy is working so far. This is a good all-star game and to have as many kids as we do in this game certainly allows us to project them as being good players in the future for us in the West Virginia Conference.”
A total of 11 of FSU’s 13 recruits in the game will play for the North All-Stars. They include Parkersburg lineman Travis Bunner (6-1, 305), Liberty running back Matt Griffin (5-7, 175), East Fairmont running back L.T. Harbert (5-10, 180), Bridgeport lineman Josh Kniceley (6-3, 290), Bridgeport defensive end Sean Marion (6-2, 210), Ripley running back/linebacker Logan Martin (5-8, 195), Parkersburg lineman Zach Nolan (5-11, 260), Parkersburg South lineman/tight end Derek Rollyson (6-4, 275), Ripley wide receiver Logan Seabolt (6-5, 175), Martinsburg tight end/linebacker Scott Stump (6-1, 240) and Magnolia running back/linebacker Steven Zajdowicz (5-10, 205).
Beau Wilson, a 6-4, 225-pound wide receiver/defensive lineman from George Washington and Chris Young, a 6-1, 235-pound tight end/linebacker from St. Albans will both play for the South All-Stars in the game.
At least three other players involved in the contest are also reportedly considering attending FSU. According to reports those three are Williamstown fullback/defensive end/punter Cory Hart (6-2, 228), who will play for the North All-Stars and Sissonville lineman Vince Britton (6-foot, 260) and George Washington wide receiver/defensive back Zach Rosencrance (5-11, 175), who will both suit up for the South All-Stars.
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