COLUMBUS, Ohio - When Ryan O’Rourke, Garrett Gronowski and coach Mike Elder walked off the field of a sun-drenched Ohio Stadium Saturday evening, they liked the trip back to the locker room a lot more than the last one they took in November.
After the Avon Eagles were defeated in the regional final by the then-defending Division III state champions in Sunbury Big Walnut, it looked as though the brilliant careers of O’Rourke and Gronowski were over and the rebuilding process for Elder would begin.
However, an invitation to participate in the 64th annual Ohio North-South All-Star Classic brought Avon’s trio back together one final time.
O’Rourke, Gronowski and Elder helped the North defeat the South 49-7. The North now holds a 38-23-3 record in the series.
“We have great playmakers on our team,” Gronowski said. “There was trash-talking going on during the week. We wanted to come out, punch them in the mouth and show them the North was here.”
“I felt a little bit of guilt leaving my family,” Elder said. “I have young kids and my own team. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but knowing that Garrett and Ryan we’re going to go with me made it pretty special. I knew they could play and stand out in a game like this.”
Though he was 11 of 14 for 165 yards with one passing touchdown and a rushing score, O’Rourke was not concerned about statistics. He was there to soak in the experience of being a high school player one last time before heading to Slippery Rock University to continue his education and football career.
“I really wanted to enjoy this because I’m never going to be down here playing in a football game again,” O’Rourke said. “I’m glad we got the win.”
If enjoyment was his main goal, O’Rourke definitely accomplished it. He helped the North score on its first five possessions.
On the first drive, O’Rourke connected with Syracuse University recruit Dale Peterman (Youngstown Ursuline) for gains of 15 and 35 yards before handing the ball off to Monterae Williams. Williams (Canton McKinley) burst through a hole in his offensive line, escaped a tackle at the second level and outran the secondary to the end zone.
Not to be outdone by his high school teammate, Gronowski made his presence known with some big hits throughout the game. However, it was Gronowski’s ability to break on the ball that made him the game’s Most Valuable Player.
On the South’s first possession, quarterback Jordan Barbina faced a third-and-nine from his own 42. Under all-star rules, Gronowski could not sit in a zone and had to play man-to-man defense. He read the receiver’s route perfectly and corralled his first of two interceptions.
“That’s what we come to expect,” Elder said of O’Rourke quickly leading teams down the field. “It was nice to see the whole team do well, but specifically my two players. That made me so proud. I’ve got goose bumps.”
O’Rourke then led the North down the field and found Derek Hoebing (Vermilion) in the end zone for a nine-yard touchdown.
The North already had a 28-7 lead when Gronowski got his second interception, this time as a cornerback instead of his usual safety position.
Gronowski, who will play for Eastern Michigan next fall, returned the ball from the North’s 40-yard line to the South four. Two plays later, O’Rourke ran in the score from one yard away.
“Our fear was how good Garrett is playing man-to-man,” Elder said. “He’s a free safety who plays a lot of cover three and gets to be a free player. Today, he just showed me that Eastern Michigan got the steal of the century because people questioned whether or not he’s physical enough to play at that level. He had some smacks out there. He’s going to be an All-MAC [Mid-American Conference] player someday, I guarantee it.”
“We can’t even explain how the events that occurred this week have really opened our eyes [with] going to the Children’s Hospital and the Buddy System,” Gronowski said of the non-football activities. “It’s just a great experience overall and to top it off with a game like this is one of my best weeks ever.
“It’s mind-blowing walking into this stadium. To come out with the game MVP, I’m just really humbled. I’m really excited to get Avon’s name out there.”
Matt Florjancic currently works as a free-lance reporter and sports announcer for WOBL and WDLW Radio.
