If you’re interested, a different level of reader questions and comments that border on ‘letters to the editor’ . It takes a bit more time to address, and we couldn’t think of a better time to share it with you…what was the biggest hit Coldwater coach Chip Otten took as a college running back…whatever happened to former OHSAA commissioner Jerry Snodgrass…what’s your pick for the best high school football uniform, now and in the past…and what’s the best high school football game you’ve witnessed on Press Pros?
Most of you are familiar with the comments of readers featured on this page over the past dozen years – comments about recent posts that they either agree with, or don’t, or express their own personal opinion.
But we also get a lot of questions from those who are simply curious about things we see, people we meet, or off the wall things like one person wrote earlier in the fall asking, “What’s the best-looking high school football uniform you’ve seen, present or past?”
Some of these would take more time and space to actually answer, but they also make for some great stories to share, like the one (below) from a graduate of Bowling Green who remembered Coldwater coach Chip Otten as a running back for the Falcons, and discovered him earlier this year through our game column on Coldwater and Clinton-Massie. He sent the following email to us, just for the sake of nostalgia.
In addition, a bit of what we saw last week, our normal Monday post, including MANY encounters with readers at the OHSAA volleyball tournament. We hope you enjoy:
“Dear Press Pros, I recently received a shared email of your story from the Coldwater High School football game with Clinton-Massie High School, and in that story I found the name Chip Otten, who I remember playing for Bowling Green State University when I attended BG in the 80s. I remember him because he wasn’t very big, but he was a pretty good football player. A friend from Toledo sent me the story and I wondered if you could ask ‘Coach’ Otten about the hardest hit he took as a running back playing for the Falcons…or any other favorite story he might remember? It was great to see his name again, and I wish him and his team the best.” … Jack Vanhoose (retired in Florida)
“It happened against Long Beach State in Anaheim Stadium. And thanks for asking. Go Falcons.” – Chip Otten
(Ed. Note: Jack, we appreciate your reaching out after all this time, and will share with you that ‘Coach’ Otten has had a fabulous career at Coldwater, winning six OHSAA state titles in football. We shared your email recently, and he was happy to send you the following answer: “The hardest hit I ever got was against Long Beach State, probably my junior or senior season, when we were playing Long Beach State out in Anaheim, California in the ballpark where the Anaheim Angels play baseball. It was a pass play where I came out of the backfield and caught a ball in the flat with my back to the line of scrimmage, And about the time that I turned to run upfield one of the defensive backs for Long Beach speared me in the ribs with everything he had. He not only knocked me down, but knocked the wind out of me as well. I couldn’t get my breath and I think I had to come out of the game for a couple of plays until I recovered. I do remember coming back in the game, though, but afterwards I hurt for several days. That was the hardest hit in my playing days. And thanks for asking. Go Falcons!”….Coach Chip Otten)
“Since former OHSAA commissioner Jerry Snodgrass was fired, I wonder what has happened to him, if he’s still living, and if he’s still involved with education and sports? I met him once when he spoke at a local Rotary luncheon and just remember what a great impression he made speaking about high school sports. And, how often he used the term ‘student athletes’. Thank you for your time.” … George Montgomery
(Ed. Note: To your question, yes, Jerry is still around and we actually visit on a regular basis. He is no longer associated with the OHSAA, but does some teaching at the college level and often does color analysis for broadcasts of high school sports on WOSN. As a matter of fact, when Marion Local won the MAC football title recently (beat Coldwater, 7-6) Jerry was on hand to award the Flyers the conference trophy. He is still immensely popular among the community of high school coaches and administrators.)
“What’s your top five high school football uniforms you’ve seen, now and in the past?” … Dan Burcham
(Ed. Note: OOOOH! Currently, I’d rank the road uniforms that St. Henry wears as the top look I’ve seen. I’ve always liked that clean look of the white pants and the simple red numbers and accents. I also like the road uniforms of Marion Local for the same reason…the gold pants with the white jersey and simple blue accents. Beyond that, I’ve always liked Piqua’s, but I wish they’d ditch the blue pants for something silver, and something like what Ole’ Miss wears. Way too much dark blue the way it is now. I know you live in southern Ohio, so I’d say the Ironton look is very striking because they’ve borrowed heavily from the Cleveland Browns. And my final pick would be Olentangy Orange, over in central Ohio. Very University of Florida-ish. If I’m allowed a sixth pick…the old Covington uniforms with the silver bullet pants and the players names stitched on their jerseys. Very classy look, and I haven’t seen it since it was discontinued a decade ago.)
“What is the best high school football game you ever covered? And I would be shocked if you picked someone other than Marion Local.” … Ed Franks
(Ed Note: Prepared to be shocked, then. The best high school game I witnessed personally was the Division IV title game in 2007 when Coldwater came roaring back in the second half to beat Youngstown Cardinal Mooney, 28-27. And the reason that I remember that game is that the late Joe Neves and I were doing the game together on WPTW radio, in Piqua. That’s one thing, and the other was the Mooney people were so confident that they were going to win that they were on their phones at halftime making reservations at a hotel for a celebration party after the game. By the way, Joe Neves passed away recently, he was a member of the Press Pros family, and we miss him dearly. Really good guy.)
Among the regular weekend emails came this message from a follower up in northwest Ohio to comment on last Friday’s playoff game between #1 seed Marion Local and the surprising #8 seed, Lehman Catholic.
A first-time writer, Donald Herron shared this:
“Well done for the gracious manner in which you wrote about the Lehman High School quarterback (who has thrown for 5,000 (?) yards this season and 55 touchdowns) as part of your coverage of the Friday playoff game with Marion Local. How you wrote about Turner Lachey was one of Press Pros’ best.
While mentioning Marion Local’s record win streak, you also shared the spotlight and gave just recognition to Lachey for his making the most of the opportunity to compete without being compared to, or diminished, by what it is to be Marion Local.
Thank you for stating that his stats are legit, and for detailing how he found a way to prove his skills against the best of the best, even in a losing effort. Your coverage was tasteful and well done. I enjoyed reading it very much, as I do all the Press Pros content.” … Donald Herron
With appreciation for the kind words, Turner Lachey is an anomaly among the average high school athlete today because while he’s known for all the passing yards and touchdowns in football…his passion for competition is rooted in another direction and another sport.
Lachey is an accomplished high school baseball player at Lehman as a middle infielder, and of course…he’s been called upon to pitch, because everyone in high school baseball with a pulse gets called upon to pitch.
And his plans, the last that I’ve heard, include consideration for leaving Lehman at the end of the semester to attend a baseball academy where he can focus on developing his prospects for a baseball future while finishing his high school degree requirements. What’s unique about Turner is that he’s not just another gun-slinging high school quarterback when you look under the hood. He’s a bonafide competitor in three sports, and due to his commitment he has not let a school the size of Lehman become a limiting factor in his choice of what to do next.
Can he do it?
In my limited experience of seeing him play at Lehman against high school competition, he’s easy to notice. He certainly has the tools. And if he actually does choose the baseball route it’s going to take another immense commitment.
Publisher Sonny Fulks writes OHSAA and Ohio State sports for Press Pros Magazine.com.
And Friday night, when I spoke with Lachey to congratulate him on his football accomplishments, his eyes brightened when I mentioned baseball. Even in the moment of his worst depression over a loss and the end of his season and time with his teammates, you could tell that his fire burns hot for the challenge of betting on himself and what he wants for his future.
And oh…that there were more high school athletes with the vision, the confidence, and yes, the grace of Turner Lachey to identify and pursue a passion. And luck to him with whatever he does because he’s a great young man.
When he turned to leave Friday he said, “Thank you for getting my name out there.” And Donald, your response could not have come at a better time.
Proof…that someone out there has noticed.
Precision Strip, in Minster, is a proud sponsor of the best area sports stories on Press Pros.