Hersheypark Stadium is not exactly on the way to West Virginia University, but Medina Highland graduate and Division II first team All-Ohio running back Chris Snook is happy with the detour.
On Saturday night, the states of Pennsylvania and Ohio will take the field for high school supremacy in the Big 33 Football Classic. Although he was a two-way player at running back and linebacker in high school, Snook is only expected to play defense in the All-Star game.
“I think that I’m the most overrated linebacker that’s ever played in Ohio,” Snook said with a laugh. “I don’t think I’m as good of a linebacker as all these sites have me, the No. 2 outside linebacker in the state. I haven’t really done anything defensively that makes me think I deserve that, maybe being projected as a linebacker in terms of height, weight and speed, but I think I’ve always had better instincts on the offensive side of the ball.”
It would be hard to argue against Snook by looking at his offensive numbers at Highland. During his career, Snook scored 38 touchdowns and gained 3,866 yards. In the regular season finale this year, Snook rushed for 301 yards on 48 carries in a losing effort at Lodi Cloverleaf.
Though Snook feels he is a better offensive player, he is appreciative of the opportunity to play in the Big 33.
“At the time I found that I would be playing, I found out I needed surgery on my wrist,” Snook said. “But I figured it would be a great experience for me and give me a little bit of an edge before I head down to West Virginia. I get to meet a lot of people from the region I’ll be playing in.
“I knew they’ve had some pretty big names play in the game,” he added. “It’s not just a laid-back game. After I found out some more information about who the big names were and how heated the game gets, it made me more excited to play in it.”
Highland coach Tom Lombardo won a state championship at Mentor Lake Catholic High School and led this year’s Hornets to a regional final, their furthest march into the postseason. Over the years, Lombardo has coached some of Northeast Ohio’s top players.
“His physical dimensions are what set him apart,” Lombardo said of Snook. “He’s an athlete at 6-foot-3, 230 pounds playing running back. West Virginia wants to use him as sort of an H-back. He’s fast, powerful, got good cutting ability and wears on you as well. A lot of times, bruising backs that size are fullback-types that just pound in there. He’s more of a tailback-type that has a fullback’s body. That’s what makes him different.
“The numbers speak for themselves,” Lombardo added. “He’s broken almost all the school records in terms of rushing, carries, yards, touchdowns, yards per game, long in a game. Even beyond that, there’s what he’s meant to the program. Being a senior leader on this team, having the ability to go as far as we did and giving the eventual state champs everything they could handle is a testament to his leadership and how he played.”
Snook is looking forward to the challenge of mastering the H-back position at West Virginia.
“If I were playing tailback in college, I’d be a little bit more worried about my height,” Snook said. “I think I’m heavy enough to play fullback. As an H-back, it’s not truly just a blocking fullback that you’d see in a lot of pro sets. In the spread, I’ll get some touches and use a little bit of my athleticism."
While Snook works on blocking against fellow Division I recruits in Hershey, Snook's former teammate Tyler Houska will also play in the Ohio North-South All-Star Classic. Houska signed on to play college football for the Youngstown State University Penguins, while Highland kicker Eric Duale signed with Duquesne University.
Having players compete in these types of games is a sign of growth for the Highland football program.
“The kicker [Eric Duale], Tyler and Chris all earned scholarships at the Division I or II level,” Lombardo said. “It says there [are] players in Medina County that are good enough to compete at the state level, earn a scholarship and represent their state in an all-star game.”
Once he returns from Hershey, Snook will prepare for West Virginia and the challenges facing a college athlete.
“West Virginia was the first school that gave me the opportunity to play offense,” Snook said. “I knew about Owen Schmidt and he was pretty tough. The system at West Virginia is pretty good for the position I will be playing. I’m excited to stay on the offensive side of the ball.”
“I think West Virginia’s excited to get him,” Lombardo said. “They have a need at that position they’re going to play him in. He went out for track his last two years in high school. His 4x200 team and 4x100 team almost qualified for state. He wanted just to improve himself and thought that’s what would get him to the next level.
“That’s the kind of attitude he brings. He’s willing to do whatever it takes to help the program. By running track and his work in the weight room, he’s obviously going to have the physical tools to be successful. The biggest thing for him is going to be adjusting mentally to the game at the next level.”
Matt Florjancic currently works as a freelance reporter and sports announcer for WOBL and WDLW Radio
