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Football: Southern Columbia star Henry Hynoski chooses Pitt
Pitt is it for Southern Columbia fullback Hynoski
By Todd Stanford
The Daily Item
August 15, 2006
CATAWISSA — The two friends embraced. Then, they stood with their arms draped over one another's shoulders, posing for photographs.
Southern Columbia football players Josh Marks and Henry Hynoski Jr. — who will try to lead the Tigers to their fifth consecutive Class A state title this fall — will wear different colors soon enough. But on Monday night, Marks, a two-way lineman who announced in May that he will play at Penn State next season, wore a hat that said "Panthers" to show solidarity with his friend.
Just minutes earlier, Hynoski had announced in the Southern Columbia High School auditorium that he will accept a scholarship offer to play fullback at Pittsburgh. Hynoski — whose father, Henry Sr., was a star running back at Mount Carmel who later played in the NFL — chose the Panthers over Iowa, Rutgers and Temple. Penn State and Ohio State had expressed interest, but neither made a scholarship offer.
"I always knew in the back of my mind that it was going to be Pitt, ever since my sophomore year when they started recruiting me," Hynoski said before approximately 50-60 friends, family, teammates, coaches, and members of the media. "I just wanted to go through the whole process, just to make sure that I covered all of my options."
At 6-foot-2, 235 pounds, Hynoski is a physical runner who gets many of his yards between the tackles. In his first three years of high school football, he's rushed for nearly 5,000 yards and scored 72 touchdowns. His college choice ultimately came down to Pitt and Iowa, and both schools promised to use him as a running back and receiver.
"That's what was so appealing about Pittsburgh," Hynoski said. "I'm not just going to be in there to be a blocker. A lot of schools, that's all they want nowadays. (The Pitt coaches) are thinking that I can run the ball from the fullback spot. I can line up as a single back and tailback. And I can move out to wide receiver, and create mismatches on linebackers."
Pittsburgh was 5-6 last season in Dave Wannstedt's first year as head coach. Wannstedt, a former head coach for the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins, won a Super Bowl ring as defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys in 1992. Southern Columbia coach Jim Roth is pleased that Hynoski chose the Panthers.
"Pitt is a real solid choice right now because of the fact that they have guys like Wannstedt and (offensive coordinator Matt) Cavanaugh," Roth said. "Guys that have been around the block. And they feel like they came home to finish their careers. I don't think they're going anywhere. So I think in that respect it's a real good fit."
Monday's announcement had a festive atmosphere. Henry Sr. invited everyone in attendance back to the family's home for a celebration; teammates peppered Hynoski with silly questions that drew laughs from the audience; and Tigers fan Jansen McDonald, who will be a third-grader in the Southern district this fall, carried a sign that read "Pitt is the Fit, Go Hyno." After Hynoski took questions from the media, he shook hands and shared hugs with well-wishers, including Marks, who wore a Penn State T-shirt to go with his Panthers hat. The two may have to go head to head if the storied Penn State-Pitt rivalry begins again.
"I would have never imagined ... that there would be a time that would come that I would have somebody playing on two major Division I schools in the state," Roth said. "It's just a neat thing to look forward to in the future."
Football: Southern Columbia star Henry Hynoski chooses Pitt
Pitt is it for Southern Columbia fullback Hynoski
By Todd Stanford
The Daily Item
August 15, 2006
CATAWISSA — The two friends embraced. Then, they stood with their arms draped over one another's shoulders, posing for photographs.
Southern Columbia football players Josh Marks and Henry Hynoski Jr. — who will try to lead the Tigers to their fifth consecutive Class A state title this fall — will wear different colors soon enough. But on Monday night, Marks, a two-way lineman who announced in May that he will play at Penn State next season, wore a hat that said "Panthers" to show solidarity with his friend.
Just minutes earlier, Hynoski had announced in the Southern Columbia High School auditorium that he will accept a scholarship offer to play fullback at Pittsburgh. Hynoski — whose father, Henry Sr., was a star running back at Mount Carmel who later played in the NFL — chose the Panthers over Iowa, Rutgers and Temple. Penn State and Ohio State had expressed interest, but neither made a scholarship offer.
"I always knew in the back of my mind that it was going to be Pitt, ever since my sophomore year when they started recruiting me," Hynoski said before approximately 50-60 friends, family, teammates, coaches, and members of the media. "I just wanted to go through the whole process, just to make sure that I covered all of my options."
At 6-foot-2, 235 pounds, Hynoski is a physical runner who gets many of his yards between the tackles. In his first three years of high school football, he's rushed for nearly 5,000 yards and scored 72 touchdowns. His college choice ultimately came down to Pitt and Iowa, and both schools promised to use him as a running back and receiver.
"That's what was so appealing about Pittsburgh," Hynoski said. "I'm not just going to be in there to be a blocker. A lot of schools, that's all they want nowadays. (The Pitt coaches) are thinking that I can run the ball from the fullback spot. I can line up as a single back and tailback. And I can move out to wide receiver, and create mismatches on linebackers."
Pittsburgh was 5-6 last season in Dave Wannstedt's first year as head coach. Wannstedt, a former head coach for the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins, won a Super Bowl ring as defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys in 1992. Southern Columbia coach Jim Roth is pleased that Hynoski chose the Panthers.
"Pitt is a real solid choice right now because of the fact that they have guys like Wannstedt and (offensive coordinator Matt) Cavanaugh," Roth said. "Guys that have been around the block. And they feel like they came home to finish their careers. I don't think they're going anywhere. So I think in that respect it's a real good fit."
Monday's announcement had a festive atmosphere. Henry Sr. invited everyone in attendance back to the family's home for a celebration; teammates peppered Hynoski with silly questions that drew laughs from the audience; and Tigers fan Jansen McDonald, who will be a third-grader in the Southern district this fall, carried a sign that read "Pitt is the Fit, Go Hyno." After Hynoski took questions from the media, he shook hands and shared hugs with well-wishers, including Marks, who wore a Penn State T-shirt to go with his Panthers hat. The two may have to go head to head if the storied Penn State-Pitt rivalry begins again.
"I would have never imagined ... that there would be a time that would come that I would have somebody playing on two major Division I schools in the state," Roth said. "It's just a neat thing to look forward to in the future."
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Recruiting: Southern Columbia fullback selects Pitt
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
By Mike White, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pitt's most recent football recruit comes from one of the top high school programs in the state.
Henry Hynoski, a 6-foot-1, 248-pound fullback from Southern Columbia High in eastern Pennsylvania, announced last night he had made a verbal commitment to Pitt.
Southern Columbia has won four PIAA Class A titles in a row and has been in the championship game 11 of the past 12 seasons. No other Pennsylvania team has made as many championship appearances.
Hynoski had said earlier this summer Pitt was his top choice. He had visited the school a few times and chose the Panthers over offers from Iowa, Rutgers and Temple. Hynoski rushed for 2,186 yards on 240 carries last season and had 271 yards in the PIAA final against Duquesne. His father, Henry Sr., played in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns.
Hynoski is the Panthers' 11th recruit from the class of 2007 and the fifth from the eastern side of the state. The others are offensive linemen John Fieger of Upper Perkiomen High and Greg Gaskins of William Penn, offensive lineman-tight end Jordan Gibbs of Penn Manor and quarterback Pat Bostick of Manheim Township.
Hynoski is one of two Southern Columbia players headed to a major college. Lineman Josh Marks committed to Penn State in the spring.
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Highly rated fullback picks Pitt
By Kevin Gorman
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Henry Hynoski wanted to end the recruiting process before his high school season began. After all, he has records to break and championships to win. The 6-foot-2, 245-pound fullback has been the catalyst in Southern Columbia winning the past two of their four consecutive PIAA Class A titles.
Hynoski made a verbal commitment Monday night to Pitt, choosing the Panthers over scholarship offers from Iowa, Rutgers and Temple.
"They were with me from day one," Hynoski said. "The way they're going to utilize me - to block and catch - I can't ask for anything more than that. They said I had the opportunity to come in and make an immediate impact. That had a lot to do with the decision."
Hynoski is ranked the nation's No. 6 fullback by Rivals.com and the state's No. 14 prospect by Scout.com. He rushed for 2,186 yards and 35 touchdowns on 240 carries as a junior, when he was a first-team all-state selection by The Associated Press. Hynoski also set a PIAA playoff rushing record in 2004, when he ran for 409 yards and six touchdowns on 27 carries in a 76-47 quarterfinal victory over Pius X. Hynoski has rushed for almost 5,000 career yards -- he ranks third in school history -- and is on pace to become only the seventh player in state history to eclipse 7,000 yards rushing. The Indianapolis Colts' James Mungro holds the state record with 8,432 at East Stroudsburg.
Pitt is in desperate need of fullbacks, with sophomore Conredge Collins and junior Mark Yezovich the only scholarship players at the position. Hynoski was told by Panthers running backs coach David Walker that he could play in both traditional and one-back sets.
"He showed me all the films from when he used to coach at Syracuse. He had five fullbacks who made it to the NFL and said that's his goal for me," said Hynoski, whose father, Henry Sr., played at Temple and was a sixth-round draft choice of the Cleveland Browns in 1975. "It's a long way down the road. I've got to take one step at a time."
Recruiting: Southern Columbia fullback selects Pitt
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
By Mike White, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pitt's most recent football recruit comes from one of the top high school programs in the state.
Henry Hynoski, a 6-foot-1, 248-pound fullback from Southern Columbia High in eastern Pennsylvania, announced last night he had made a verbal commitment to Pitt.
Southern Columbia has won four PIAA Class A titles in a row and has been in the championship game 11 of the past 12 seasons. No other Pennsylvania team has made as many championship appearances.
Hynoski had said earlier this summer Pitt was his top choice. He had visited the school a few times and chose the Panthers over offers from Iowa, Rutgers and Temple. Hynoski rushed for 2,186 yards on 240 carries last season and had 271 yards in the PIAA final against Duquesne. His father, Henry Sr., played in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns.
Hynoski is the Panthers' 11th recruit from the class of 2007 and the fifth from the eastern side of the state. The others are offensive linemen John Fieger of Upper Perkiomen High and Greg Gaskins of William Penn, offensive lineman-tight end Jordan Gibbs of Penn Manor and quarterback Pat Bostick of Manheim Township.
Hynoski is one of two Southern Columbia players headed to a major college. Lineman Josh Marks committed to Penn State in the spring.
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Highly rated fullback picks Pitt
By Kevin Gorman
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Henry Hynoski wanted to end the recruiting process before his high school season began. After all, he has records to break and championships to win. The 6-foot-2, 245-pound fullback has been the catalyst in Southern Columbia winning the past two of their four consecutive PIAA Class A titles.
Hynoski made a verbal commitment Monday night to Pitt, choosing the Panthers over scholarship offers from Iowa, Rutgers and Temple.
"They were with me from day one," Hynoski said. "The way they're going to utilize me - to block and catch - I can't ask for anything more than that. They said I had the opportunity to come in and make an immediate impact. That had a lot to do with the decision."
Hynoski is ranked the nation's No. 6 fullback by Rivals.com and the state's No. 14 prospect by Scout.com. He rushed for 2,186 yards and 35 touchdowns on 240 carries as a junior, when he was a first-team all-state selection by The Associated Press. Hynoski also set a PIAA playoff rushing record in 2004, when he ran for 409 yards and six touchdowns on 27 carries in a 76-47 quarterfinal victory over Pius X. Hynoski has rushed for almost 5,000 career yards -- he ranks third in school history -- and is on pace to become only the seventh player in state history to eclipse 7,000 yards rushing. The Indianapolis Colts' James Mungro holds the state record with 8,432 at East Stroudsburg.
Pitt is in desperate need of fullbacks, with sophomore Conredge Collins and junior Mark Yezovich the only scholarship players at the position. Hynoski was told by Panthers running backs coach David Walker that he could play in both traditional and one-back sets.
"He showed me all the films from when he used to coach at Syracuse. He had five fullbacks who made it to the NFL and said that's his goal for me," said Hynoski, whose father, Henry Sr., played at Temple and was a sixth-round draft choice of the Cleveland Browns in 1975. "It's a long way down the road. I've got to take one step at a time."
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Southern's Hynoski really just a regular teen
Southern's Marks, Hynoski really just regular teens
By Todd Stanford
The Daily Item
August 27, 2006
xtraFacts=xtraFacts+"%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22singleBox%20factBox%20greyDot%22%3E%0D%0A%09%3Ch2%20class%3D%22factHead%22%3EBetween%20the%20sidelines%3C%2Fh2%3E%0D%0A%09Height%3A%206-2%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EWeight%3A%20235%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EPositions%3A%20FB-LB%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E40%20time%3A%204.62%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EBench%20press%3A%20370%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EAccolades%3A%20Two-time%20All-State%20selection%3B%20named%202005%20Daily%20Item%20Player%20of%20the%20Year%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3ECareer%20highlight%3A%20Rushing%20for%20419%20yards%20in%20leading%20Southern%20Columbia%20past%20Piux%20X%20in%202004%20state%20quarterfinals%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3ECollege%20choice%3A%20Pittsburgh%0D%0A%3C%2Fdiv%3E"; Henry Hynoski Jr. just ordered a beer. And not just any beer — the one he's eyeing comes in a huge cone. It's 100 ounces of pure American alcoholic excess. The mere sight of it would bring a tear to Homer Simpson's eye.
Sitting just a few feet from the bar, Hynoski and about 10 of his buddies — all football players at Southern Columbia High School— are unwinding on this August night after running through some conditioning drills. Hynoski has had a long day. He worked with middle-schoolers at Southern's camp, visited both of his personal trainers, and went through the conditioning drills in the unseasonably cool night air.
Now, he and his teammates are at a local restaurant, chowing down on a wings buffet. When the waitress takes the drink orders, he asks for the beer. If he weren't too young to imbibe, you could almost understand his request. After all, in the whole Catawissa/Elysburg area, who has more pressure on them than the 16-, 17- and 18-year-old boys who wear the Black and Gold onto the gridiron?
In less than a week's time, practice will begin again. Southern is gunning for its fifth consecutive state title — unprecedented in Pennsylvania. And Hynoski, a fullback/linebacker, is one of Southern's main stars. Earlier this day, while driving through an intersection in Elysburg, he had pointed to where all the fans sit as they watch the team bus make the trip to Hershey each year for the state final.
"That never gets old," he had said with a smile.
Then there's the personal pressure Hynoski is carrying with him. The son of a former NFL running back, Hynoski is on the verge of making his college decision. He's arguably the state's best fullback this year, one of the best in the country. Iowa and Pitt have been recruiting him heavily. Penn State and Ohio State flirted with him, but never made offers. He's constantly bombarded by reporters, both Internet and print, but mostly Internet. They all want to know — no, they all just have to know *— where a 17-year-old kid is going to college.
xtraFacts=xtraFacts+"%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22singleBox%20factBox%20greyDot%22%3E%0D%0A%09%3Ch2%20class%3D%22factHead%22%3EFirst%20test%20of%20your%20senior%20year%3C%2Fh2%3E%0D%0A%091.%20Getting%20married%20and%20having%20children%20after%20college%20...%20%3A%20%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EA.%20would%20be%20great%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EB.%20is%20still%20up%20in%20the%20air%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EC.%20never%20crossed%20my%20mind%20%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3ED.%20scares%20the%20bejesus%20out%20of%20me%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%20%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E2.%20If%20I%20could%20spend%20one%20day%20with%20this%20woman%2C%20it%20would%20be%3A%20%20%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EA.%20Mandy%20Moore%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EB.%20Ashlee%20Simpson%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EC.%20Lindsay%20Lohan%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3ED.%20Someone%20else-Jessica%20Alba%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%20%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E3.%20The%20ideal%20night%20out%20with%20my%20buddies%20would%20be%3A%20%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EA.%20Playing%20poker%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EB.%20Playing%20video%20games%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EC.%20Watching%20college%2Fpro%20football%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3ED.%20Chowing%20down%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%20%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E4.%20If%20there%20was%20one%20subject%20I%27d%20eliminate%2C%20it%20would%20be%3A%20%20%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EA.%20Math%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EB.%20Science%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EC.%20English%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3ED.%20History%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%20%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E5.%20The%20place%20I%27d%20most%20like%20to%20visit%20is%3A%20%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EA.%20Hawaii%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EB.%20Italy%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EC.%20Aruba%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3ED.%20Other%0D%0A%3C%2Fdiv%3E"; imgCounter += 1; aryImgs[imgCounter] = "http://images.dailyitem.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=SD&Date=20060827&Category=SPORTS01&ArtNo=608270302&Ref=V2&MaxW=200&MaxH=180&title=1&border=0"; aryCaps[imgCounter] = "Southern%20Columbia%27s%20Henry%20Hynoski%20Jr.%20leads%20drills%20on%20medicine%20balls%20at%20a%20summer%20football%20camp%20in%20the%20Tigers%27%20gymnasium
Seth Hoover/The Daily Item
"; aryZooms[imgCounter] = "javascript: NewWindow(780,600,window.document.location+'&Template=photos&img="+imgCounter+"')"; So yes, maybe he can be forgiven for ordering this one beer, just this once. To down a nice cold one and forget about the expectations for a few moments.
But, in truth, he never has any intention of drinking it. Indeed, the order is barely out of his mouth when he starts to laugh softly and says, "No, no, I'm just kidding."
The waitress stares, not getting the joke. Hynoski is 6-foot-2, 235 pounds. He has the start of a beard and mustache (much to his mother's chagrin). His arms are thicker than a San Francisco fog, his shoulders would give Atlas pangs of envy.
"I don't get it," she says. "Why can't you order a beer?"
Hynoski replies sheepishly, "I'm only 17."
"Oh my God!" she says. "You are?"
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Seth Hoover/The Daily Item
"; aryZooms[imgCounter] = "javascript: NewWindow(780,600,window.document.location+'&Template=photos&img="+imgCounter+"')"; THE BALLAD OF HENRY JR.: Just six days after this night out with friends, Hynoski will step before a podium, place a "Pitt" hat on his head and announce that he will play his college ball for the Panthers. A group of Hynoski's teammates are at the press conference, and they draw laughter from the crowd with silly questions, including a scatological reference from the summer hit, "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby." Will Ferrell plays the eponymous hero — a NASCAR star who was born to be No. 1.
Although Hynoski isn't a nationally known superstar like the fictitious Ricky Bobby — not yet, anyway — he's already made enough amazing plays to count as a local legend. Entering his senior season, he's rushed for nearly 5,000 yards and scored 72 touchdowns. He played arguably his greatest game while just a sophomore in 2004, when Southern met Pius X in the state quarterfinals; Hynoski ran for 419 yards and scored six touchdowns in the Tigers' 76-47 win. In a regular-season game last year, he rushed for 238 yards and two touchdowns as Southern rallied from 15 points down to beat rival Mount Carmel 32-21. Three months later, he led Southern to its fourth consecutive state title by running for 271 yards (setting the record for a Class A final) and four touchdowns (tying another record) in a 50-19 win over Duquesne.
Yes, being a local legend has its privileges, but you wouldn't know that by watching Hynoski this morning, just 12 hours before finishing his day by downing a few hot wings with his friends. Hynoski is working coach Jim Roth's football camp for middle-school kids. The youngsters want to learn football, but they're still kids, which means they chat with one another as Hynoski tries to show them how to run a proper pass route out of the backfield. "Yo! Pay attention! Hey!" Hynoski yells to get them focused again.
The kids, who are all assigned to different teams, go through a few drills, then they play 7-on-7. When lunchtime comes around, Hynoski and some of the other players file out and go to Sheetz for lunch. Hynoski will make three trips to Sheetz on this day, and each time he runs into a handful of people that he knows. One person ends their discussion by saying, "I'll see you out on the field this fall."
The conversation is reminiscent of a scene in "Dazed and Confused," when an old man runs into the town's star quarterback, grabs him at the elbow and says, "This arm ready to throw about 2,000 yards next fall?"
Later, when it's suggested that he'll be in a much larger pond in college, Hynoski doesn't seem fazed. "I'm the kind of kid, I can adjust to anything," he says. "I don't think I'll have any problem."
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Seth Hoover/The Daily Item
"; aryZooms[imgCounter] = "javascript: NewWindow(780,600,window.document.location+'&Template=photos&img="+imgCounter+"')"; Hynoski and a few friends make their way to his home in Elysburg. His cell phone goes off as he turns into his driveway. Staring at the origin of the call, he says, "It's an (Internet) reporter. I'm going to ignore it — they call 10 times a day."
Breaking Benjamin plays on the stereo as the boys sit by the pool and talk about a party there the night before. Tigers quarterback Ted Heitzman sits to Hynoski's left. When Heitzman is asked about the party, Hynoski interrupts and says jokingly, "He couldn't make it because he was out with his girlfriend. He's too good to hang out with the team."
Heitzman just laughs.
Back at the camp in the afternoon, Hynoski works with the kids on exercises using a large physioball. The ball exercises are part of core training, which Hynoski has practiced relentlessly the last few years. The boys, spread out on the basketball floor at Southern High School, also have physioballs (which resemble large medicine balls), and they mimic Hynoski. Correction: They try to mimic Hynoski, like a group of worshipful little brothers who want to emulate their older sibling. But core training is relatively new to them, so it's much more difficult than the star fullback makes it look. Holding the ball directly in front of himself, Hynoski squats down and then slowly rises. It's an intimidating sight: As he squats down, it's easy to imagine him in the backfield, awaiting the ball. If you're on defense, how exactly do you try to bring him down? His center of gravity seems tucked away, locked inside a safe of muscle and sinew.
Later, Hynoski gets down like he's going to do push-ups, his feet propped up on the physioball. He turns to his side and practices scissor kicks. One boy says, "Are you trying to kill us?"
TRAINING IN SIBERIA: Henry Hynoski Sr. is sitting in his living room, discussing his son's training habits. Hynoski Sr. — a local legend himself thanks to his days battering defenses for Mount Carmel High School and Temple University — is nearly 30 years removed from his playing days with the Cleveland Browns. But he's still in shape, still looks like he could step out on the field and turn your typical linebacker into ground cover for his cleats. "In my day," he begins, "we'd go out on the road and run a few weeks before the season started. Tried to get our stamina up. We didn't know any better."
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Seth Hoover/The Daily Item
"; aryZooms[imgCounter] = "javascript: NewWindow(780,600,window.document.location+'&Template=photos&img="+imgCounter+"')"; Times have changed, as anyone who's seen Hynoski Jr. train, can attest. The younger Hynoski has two trainers, Tony Scicchitano and Babe Mayer. The former specializes in old-time training, replete with road work and free weights. Mayer, on the other hand, specializes in core training, the wave of the future. Hynoski will visit both on this day.
Scicchitano is outside his Bear Gap home when his guests arrive. The name of the town in which he now lives is apt: Scicchitano is a great big bear of a man, a former chief of police in Mount Carmel whose five sons all played football for the Red Tornadoes, two of whom continued their gridiron careers at Penn State. Nearly 69, Scicchitano is still strong, still works out. He gives a friendly slap on the back to one of his guests, and the force of it would surely save a choking person.
The affection between the former policeman and his young charge is obvious. Scicchitano says, "The worst thing I can say about (Hynoski) is that he sings too loudly in church." Hynoski, who works out with Scicchitano three to four times a week year-round, says, "If it weren't for him, I'd be roly-poly. I'd weigh 300 pounds."
"We're nearly 70 years apart in age," Scicchitano continues, "but I never feel like there's an age gap. We get along great."
Indeed, flooding recently left debris in Scicchitano's pool, and Hynoski came over to clean it out.
Out on the rural road by Scicchitano's house, the two walk the course that the older man has marked off. Scicchitano says, "I'll show you what makes (Hynoski) such a great second-half back." There's a line for each 20-yard interval, and Hynoski sprints back and forth over 120 yards on a typical training day. The other side of Scicchitano's property abuts a mountain, and a slight dirt path seems to go straight up. Hynoski is only here this day to show his guests some of his regimen. But he still takes a slight jog up the mountain, and it's easy to see where he gets his powerful legs — "steel I-beams," Scicchitano calls them.
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Seth Hoover/The Daily Item
"; aryZooms[imgCounter] = "javascript: NewWindow(780,600,window.document.location+'&Template=photos&img="+imgCounter+"')"; Watching Hynoski negotiate this mountain, it's hard not to think of Rocky Balboa in the fourth installment of the series, the one where he goes to Siberia and eschews traditional workout routines and gets back to the basics, running, doing sit-ups, chopping firewood. Unprompted, Scicchitano says that he's had Hynoski chop wood.
The small gym behind Scicchitano's house is a shrine to football, mostly of Mount Carmel (where Scicchitano also played), but also of Hynoski. The dart board and pool table are the only giveaways that fun ever takes place here, everything else in the room is there to turn boys into superior football players. (Scicchitano also trains kids from Mount Carmel.) There are free weights and jump-ropes in the gym. Hynoski does a little bench pressing. His maximum bench is 370 pounds, but Scicchitano — who believes in doing lighter weights repeatedly rather than trying to max out — is more proud of the fact that Hynoski can press 225 pounds 23 times. Scicchitano proudly states that that number compares favorably with most of the fullbacks at this year's NFL Draft Combine in Indianapolis.
Like a proud papa, Scicchitano can't stop talking about his pupil. "He has a passion to be great," he says. "He got the genes, plus he worked real hard."
Hynoski, this football player of the Internet age, a teenager who was born during the final days of Ronald Reagan's presidency, is right at home here, despite the age gap. The subject of artificial turf comes up, and Hynoski says, "I like getting muddied up. I like to play like the old-timers."
DOWN TO THE CORE: Corn fields and homes pass by as Hynoski's Grand Cherokee winds its way from Elysburg to Williamsport. Hynoski is headed to Ragnar's Racquetball & Fitness Club, where Mayer — a former defensive coordinator at Lycoming and Lock Haven — teaches his core training. The drive is more than two hours round-trip. Mayer is amazed at Hynoski's dedication, and he used to apologize to Kathy Hynoski when she would drive her only son back and forth. Later, back at the Hynoski home, Kathy says that Mayer needn't have bothered. "That was our time together," she says.
Mayer, who now teaches in the fitness department at Penn College, is full of at least as much vigor as his young pupils, many of whom at this training session are at least one-third his age. Hynoski is one of 10 football players here this day. Some are college players, others still in high school. The essence of core training is balance and movement, the name comes from the emphasis on the hips and abdomen, the "core" of the body. It's also called "functional" training. "I take that muscle size and give it movement," says Mayer, who works with athletes from various sports.
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Seth Hoover/The Daily Item
"; aryZooms[imgCounter] = "javascript: NewWindow(780,600,window.document.location+'&Template=photos&img="+imgCounter+"')"; All 10 players have physioballs, just like back at Southern, where Hynoski put the younger kids through their paces. They exercise in a converted racquetball room for the better part of an hour, using the physioballs, taking long strides with elastic rings around their ankles, working on explosiveness by running back and forth between pylons.
Hynoski has been coming here for two years. "It takes him longer to drive up and back than it does to get a workout in," Mayer says. "For him to do that, that shows the commitment that he has. ... He has all the physical tools. But more importantly, above the shoulders, he's a tough kid. And that's what makes a difference at the college level."
After the workout, Hynoski is headed for the door when Mayer asks, "Henry, have you made your decision? I don't want to know, but have you made your decision?"
One of the best football players to come out of Central Pennsylvania in recent years, Hynoski's college choice was discussed endlessly by Internet scribes, reporters and recruiting gurus. He would make his college decision in less than a week. But at the moment, only he knows. Riding back from Williamsport, Hynoski talks about the recruiting process, which started nearly two long years ago. On the CD player, Brad Paisley sings, "I've got some big news."
LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT: Clomp, clomp, clomp. Dozens of cleats hit the stones over and over. Clomp, clomp, clomp.
The Southern Columbia Tigers make their way down the stone path that leads to the practice field. Hynoski has spent his day teaching football and training for football. But now he'll actually play it — or at least go through conditioning drills with his teammates. For a little more than an hour, the Tigers block, run, catch. Working with the other running backs, Hynoski smashes into teammates holding blocking pads; against the smaller boys, Hynoski is the irresistible force meeting very-movable objects. He collides with them like it's smash-up derby night at the dirt track — only he's the only one with a car. Each boy is jolted back a little farther than the previous, until the third and final one ends up on his behind.
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Seth Hoover/The Daily Item
"; aryZooms[imgCounter] = "javascript: NewWindow(780,600,window.document.location+'&Template=photos&img="+imgCounter+"')"; It's twilight as the Tigers make their way back up the hill to the parking lot. Parents and girlfriends wait for the boys. Some of the kids have already decided that they're going out for wings. Hynoski needs a clean shirt, but he doesn't have one in his car. He asks around, and one boy offers one of his. Hynoski starts to put it on, but he doesn't get too far before realizing that it's a lost cause — his training at Scicchitano's has seen to that. It's like trying to put a cat's collar around the neck of a Great Dane.
After running home to shower, Hynoski meets up with his friends. They all load up on the wings, going back again and again for more. The boys occasionally look up to watch sports on ESPN. Roger Goodell has just been named the new NFL commissioner this day. When it's suggested to Hynoski that he could be walking across a stage some day to shake hands with Goodell (standard procedure for players taken in the first two rounds of the draft), he says, "That would be great. But I can't get ahead of myself."
One player, Nick Hartranft, sits at Hynoski's table. He wants the hottest wings the establishment has to offer, but they're not on the buffet bar. The waitress agrees to bring them out, but when they arrive, he has no desire to eat them. "What's wrong?" she asks. "I don't want to eat them," he says. "I'll pay for them, but I just wanted to see them." She walks away annoyed. Austin Lonoconus, another player at the table, yells, "Ma'am, I'm this boy's father. You have my permission to smack him."
One by one, the players line up to check out Hartranft's hot wings. A few glide their finger along a wing, just to get a dab of the sauce, and then suck it down. It's a small amount, but a huge mistake for one boy, whose eyes go bloodshot and who desperately needs water.
After some teasing by his teammates, Hartranft finally eats one wing, enough to get his name on the soon-to-be Wall of Fame. Hynoski is just one of the guys tonight. He didn't egg Hartranft on any more or any less than the others. Watching Hartranft drink his water, Hynoski smiles and says, "He's in so much pain, but he doesn't want to show it."
It's time to go. Hynoski has to be up early for another day of camp, of training, of conditioning. The Grand Cherokee makes its way back to Elysburg. Another call. Someone who claims to know him. Hynoski politely explains repeatedly that he doesn't know who he's speaking with; he finally gives in and hangs up.
It's late when Hynoski pulls his car into the Southern Columbia parking lot to drop his passenger off. Soon enough, the lights on the adjacent football field will be bright, the fans loud, the expectations enormous.
But now it's just dark and quiet. "Sorry we kept you out so late," Hynoski says with a smile. "If your wife's mad at you, you can blame it on me."
With that, he pulls the Grand Cherokee onto Route 487 and drives away. The tail-lights slowly fade to black, like a star shooting past one galaxy and gaining speed as it heads toward another.
Out of bounds
Age: 17
Family: Parents Henry Hynoski Sr. and Kathy Hynoski, sister Mary Frances
Best friends: Guys on the football team and in my grade
Role models: My parents
Best advice I've ever gotten ... and from whom: Be yourself, my parents
Anticipated major in college: Business
Favorite subject: Math or history
Hobbies: Fishing, weight-lifting, hanging out with my friends
Favorite food: Wings
Last movie I watched: "Talladega Nights"
Last book I read: "Angels and Demons," by Dan Brown
Favorite type of music: Country
Favorite musician: Breaking Benjamin
What freaks me out: Spiders
Biggest pet peeve: When people don't use their God-given talents
Worst job or chore: Digging an electric fence for my dog all around my property
Secret vice: Biting my nails
What I'd like to try but haven't yet: Skydiving
One thing few people know about me ... until now: I am very determined
Should the NFL not work out, my dream job would be: A business owner
document.write(unescape(xtraFacts)); Between the sidelines
Height: 6-2
Weight: 235
Positions: FB-LB
40 time: 4.62
Bench press: 370
Accolades: Two-time All-State selection; named 2005 Daily Item Player of the Year
Career highlight: Rushing for 419 yards in leading Southern Columbia past Piux X in 2004 state quarterfinals
College choice: Pittsburgh
First test of your senior year
1. Getting married and having children after college ... :
A. would be great
B. is still up in the air
C. never crossed my mind
D. scares the bejesus out of me
2. If I could spend one day with this woman, it would be:
A. Mandy Moore
B. Ashlee Simpson
C. Lindsay Lohan
D. Someone else-Jessica Alba
3. The ideal night out with my buddies would be:
A. Playing poker
B. Playing video games
C. Watching college/pro football
D. Chowing down
4. If there was one subject I'd eliminate, it would be:
A. Math
B. Science
C. English
D. History
5. The place I'd most like to visit is:
A. Hawaii
B. Italy
C. Aruba
D. Other
Southern's Hynoski really just a regular teen
Southern's Marks, Hynoski really just regular teens
The Daily Item
August 27, 2006
xtraFacts=xtraFacts+"%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22singleBox%20factBox%20greyDot%22%3E%0D%0A%09%3Ch2%20class%3D%22factHead%22%3EBetween%20the%20sidelines%3C%2Fh2%3E%0D%0A%09Height%3A%206-2%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EWeight%3A%20235%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EPositions%3A%20FB-LB%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E40%20time%3A%204.62%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EBench%20press%3A%20370%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EAccolades%3A%20Two-time%20All-State%20selection%3B%20named%202005%20Daily%20Item%20Player%20of%20the%20Year%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3ECareer%20highlight%3A%20Rushing%20for%20419%20yards%20in%20leading%20Southern%20Columbia%20past%20Piux%20X%20in%202004%20state%20quarterfinals%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3ECollege%20choice%3A%20Pittsburgh%0D%0A%3C%2Fdiv%3E"; Henry Hynoski Jr. just ordered a beer. And not just any beer — the one he's eyeing comes in a huge cone. It's 100 ounces of pure American alcoholic excess. The mere sight of it would bring a tear to Homer Simpson's eye.
Sitting just a few feet from the bar, Hynoski and about 10 of his buddies — all football players at Southern Columbia High School— are unwinding on this August night after running through some conditioning drills. Hynoski has had a long day. He worked with middle-schoolers at Southern's camp, visited both of his personal trainers, and went through the conditioning drills in the unseasonably cool night air.
Now, he and his teammates are at a local restaurant, chowing down on a wings buffet. When the waitress takes the drink orders, he asks for the beer. If he weren't too young to imbibe, you could almost understand his request. After all, in the whole Catawissa/Elysburg area, who has more pressure on them than the 16-, 17- and 18-year-old boys who wear the Black and Gold onto the gridiron?
In less than a week's time, practice will begin again. Southern is gunning for its fifth consecutive state title — unprecedented in Pennsylvania. And Hynoski, a fullback/linebacker, is one of Southern's main stars. Earlier this day, while driving through an intersection in Elysburg, he had pointed to where all the fans sit as they watch the team bus make the trip to Hershey each year for the state final.
"That never gets old," he had said with a smile.
Then there's the personal pressure Hynoski is carrying with him. The son of a former NFL running back, Hynoski is on the verge of making his college decision. He's arguably the state's best fullback this year, one of the best in the country. Iowa and Pitt have been recruiting him heavily. Penn State and Ohio State flirted with him, but never made offers. He's constantly bombarded by reporters, both Internet and print, but mostly Internet. They all want to know — no, they all just have to know *— where a 17-year-old kid is going to college.
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Seth Hoover/The Daily Item
"; aryZooms[imgCounter] = "javascript: NewWindow(780,600,window.document.location+'&Template=photos&img="+imgCounter+"')"; So yes, maybe he can be forgiven for ordering this one beer, just this once. To down a nice cold one and forget about the expectations for a few moments.
But, in truth, he never has any intention of drinking it. Indeed, the order is barely out of his mouth when he starts to laugh softly and says, "No, no, I'm just kidding."
The waitress stares, not getting the joke. Hynoski is 6-foot-2, 235 pounds. He has the start of a beard and mustache (much to his mother's chagrin). His arms are thicker than a San Francisco fog, his shoulders would give Atlas pangs of envy.
"I don't get it," she says. "Why can't you order a beer?"
Hynoski replies sheepishly, "I'm only 17."
"Oh my God!" she says. "You are?"
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Seth Hoover/The Daily Item
"; aryZooms[imgCounter] = "javascript: NewWindow(780,600,window.document.location+'&Template=photos&img="+imgCounter+"')"; THE BALLAD OF HENRY JR.: Just six days after this night out with friends, Hynoski will step before a podium, place a "Pitt" hat on his head and announce that he will play his college ball for the Panthers. A group of Hynoski's teammates are at the press conference, and they draw laughter from the crowd with silly questions, including a scatological reference from the summer hit, "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby." Will Ferrell plays the eponymous hero — a NASCAR star who was born to be No. 1.
Although Hynoski isn't a nationally known superstar like the fictitious Ricky Bobby — not yet, anyway — he's already made enough amazing plays to count as a local legend. Entering his senior season, he's rushed for nearly 5,000 yards and scored 72 touchdowns. He played arguably his greatest game while just a sophomore in 2004, when Southern met Pius X in the state quarterfinals; Hynoski ran for 419 yards and scored six touchdowns in the Tigers' 76-47 win. In a regular-season game last year, he rushed for 238 yards and two touchdowns as Southern rallied from 15 points down to beat rival Mount Carmel 32-21. Three months later, he led Southern to its fourth consecutive state title by running for 271 yards (setting the record for a Class A final) and four touchdowns (tying another record) in a 50-19 win over Duquesne.
Yes, being a local legend has its privileges, but you wouldn't know that by watching Hynoski this morning, just 12 hours before finishing his day by downing a few hot wings with his friends. Hynoski is working coach Jim Roth's football camp for middle-school kids. The youngsters want to learn football, but they're still kids, which means they chat with one another as Hynoski tries to show them how to run a proper pass route out of the backfield. "Yo! Pay attention! Hey!" Hynoski yells to get them focused again.
The kids, who are all assigned to different teams, go through a few drills, then they play 7-on-7. When lunchtime comes around, Hynoski and some of the other players file out and go to Sheetz for lunch. Hynoski will make three trips to Sheetz on this day, and each time he runs into a handful of people that he knows. One person ends their discussion by saying, "I'll see you out on the field this fall."
The conversation is reminiscent of a scene in "Dazed and Confused," when an old man runs into the town's star quarterback, grabs him at the elbow and says, "This arm ready to throw about 2,000 yards next fall?"
Later, when it's suggested that he'll be in a much larger pond in college, Hynoski doesn't seem fazed. "I'm the kind of kid, I can adjust to anything," he says. "I don't think I'll have any problem."
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Seth Hoover/The Daily Item
"; aryZooms[imgCounter] = "javascript: NewWindow(780,600,window.document.location+'&Template=photos&img="+imgCounter+"')"; Hynoski and a few friends make their way to his home in Elysburg. His cell phone goes off as he turns into his driveway. Staring at the origin of the call, he says, "It's an (Internet) reporter. I'm going to ignore it — they call 10 times a day."
Breaking Benjamin plays on the stereo as the boys sit by the pool and talk about a party there the night before. Tigers quarterback Ted Heitzman sits to Hynoski's left. When Heitzman is asked about the party, Hynoski interrupts and says jokingly, "He couldn't make it because he was out with his girlfriend. He's too good to hang out with the team."
Heitzman just laughs.
Back at the camp in the afternoon, Hynoski works with the kids on exercises using a large physioball. The ball exercises are part of core training, which Hynoski has practiced relentlessly the last few years. The boys, spread out on the basketball floor at Southern High School, also have physioballs (which resemble large medicine balls), and they mimic Hynoski. Correction: They try to mimic Hynoski, like a group of worshipful little brothers who want to emulate their older sibling. But core training is relatively new to them, so it's much more difficult than the star fullback makes it look. Holding the ball directly in front of himself, Hynoski squats down and then slowly rises. It's an intimidating sight: As he squats down, it's easy to imagine him in the backfield, awaiting the ball. If you're on defense, how exactly do you try to bring him down? His center of gravity seems tucked away, locked inside a safe of muscle and sinew.
Later, Hynoski gets down like he's going to do push-ups, his feet propped up on the physioball. He turns to his side and practices scissor kicks. One boy says, "Are you trying to kill us?"
TRAINING IN SIBERIA: Henry Hynoski Sr. is sitting in his living room, discussing his son's training habits. Hynoski Sr. — a local legend himself thanks to his days battering defenses for Mount Carmel High School and Temple University — is nearly 30 years removed from his playing days with the Cleveland Browns. But he's still in shape, still looks like he could step out on the field and turn your typical linebacker into ground cover for his cleats. "In my day," he begins, "we'd go out on the road and run a few weeks before the season started. Tried to get our stamina up. We didn't know any better."
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Seth Hoover/The Daily Item
"; aryZooms[imgCounter] = "javascript: NewWindow(780,600,window.document.location+'&Template=photos&img="+imgCounter+"')"; Times have changed, as anyone who's seen Hynoski Jr. train, can attest. The younger Hynoski has two trainers, Tony Scicchitano and Babe Mayer. The former specializes in old-time training, replete with road work and free weights. Mayer, on the other hand, specializes in core training, the wave of the future. Hynoski will visit both on this day.
Scicchitano is outside his Bear Gap home when his guests arrive. The name of the town in which he now lives is apt: Scicchitano is a great big bear of a man, a former chief of police in Mount Carmel whose five sons all played football for the Red Tornadoes, two of whom continued their gridiron careers at Penn State. Nearly 69, Scicchitano is still strong, still works out. He gives a friendly slap on the back to one of his guests, and the force of it would surely save a choking person.
The affection between the former policeman and his young charge is obvious. Scicchitano says, "The worst thing I can say about (Hynoski) is that he sings too loudly in church." Hynoski, who works out with Scicchitano three to four times a week year-round, says, "If it weren't for him, I'd be roly-poly. I'd weigh 300 pounds."
"We're nearly 70 years apart in age," Scicchitano continues, "but I never feel like there's an age gap. We get along great."
Indeed, flooding recently left debris in Scicchitano's pool, and Hynoski came over to clean it out.
Out on the rural road by Scicchitano's house, the two walk the course that the older man has marked off. Scicchitano says, "I'll show you what makes (Hynoski) such a great second-half back." There's a line for each 20-yard interval, and Hynoski sprints back and forth over 120 yards on a typical training day. The other side of Scicchitano's property abuts a mountain, and a slight dirt path seems to go straight up. Hynoski is only here this day to show his guests some of his regimen. But he still takes a slight jog up the mountain, and it's easy to see where he gets his powerful legs — "steel I-beams," Scicchitano calls them.
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Seth Hoover/The Daily Item
"; aryZooms[imgCounter] = "javascript: NewWindow(780,600,window.document.location+'&Template=photos&img="+imgCounter+"')"; Watching Hynoski negotiate this mountain, it's hard not to think of Rocky Balboa in the fourth installment of the series, the one where he goes to Siberia and eschews traditional workout routines and gets back to the basics, running, doing sit-ups, chopping firewood. Unprompted, Scicchitano says that he's had Hynoski chop wood.
The small gym behind Scicchitano's house is a shrine to football, mostly of Mount Carmel (where Scicchitano also played), but also of Hynoski. The dart board and pool table are the only giveaways that fun ever takes place here, everything else in the room is there to turn boys into superior football players. (Scicchitano also trains kids from Mount Carmel.) There are free weights and jump-ropes in the gym. Hynoski does a little bench pressing. His maximum bench is 370 pounds, but Scicchitano — who believes in doing lighter weights repeatedly rather than trying to max out — is more proud of the fact that Hynoski can press 225 pounds 23 times. Scicchitano proudly states that that number compares favorably with most of the fullbacks at this year's NFL Draft Combine in Indianapolis.
Like a proud papa, Scicchitano can't stop talking about his pupil. "He has a passion to be great," he says. "He got the genes, plus he worked real hard."
Hynoski, this football player of the Internet age, a teenager who was born during the final days of Ronald Reagan's presidency, is right at home here, despite the age gap. The subject of artificial turf comes up, and Hynoski says, "I like getting muddied up. I like to play like the old-timers."
DOWN TO THE CORE: Corn fields and homes pass by as Hynoski's Grand Cherokee winds its way from Elysburg to Williamsport. Hynoski is headed to Ragnar's Racquetball & Fitness Club, where Mayer — a former defensive coordinator at Lycoming and Lock Haven — teaches his core training. The drive is more than two hours round-trip. Mayer is amazed at Hynoski's dedication, and he used to apologize to Kathy Hynoski when she would drive her only son back and forth. Later, back at the Hynoski home, Kathy says that Mayer needn't have bothered. "That was our time together," she says.
Mayer, who now teaches in the fitness department at Penn College, is full of at least as much vigor as his young pupils, many of whom at this training session are at least one-third his age. Hynoski is one of 10 football players here this day. Some are college players, others still in high school. The essence of core training is balance and movement, the name comes from the emphasis on the hips and abdomen, the "core" of the body. It's also called "functional" training. "I take that muscle size and give it movement," says Mayer, who works with athletes from various sports.
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Seth Hoover/The Daily Item
"; aryZooms[imgCounter] = "javascript: NewWindow(780,600,window.document.location+'&Template=photos&img="+imgCounter+"')"; All 10 players have physioballs, just like back at Southern, where Hynoski put the younger kids through their paces. They exercise in a converted racquetball room for the better part of an hour, using the physioballs, taking long strides with elastic rings around their ankles, working on explosiveness by running back and forth between pylons.
Hynoski has been coming here for two years. "It takes him longer to drive up and back than it does to get a workout in," Mayer says. "For him to do that, that shows the commitment that he has. ... He has all the physical tools. But more importantly, above the shoulders, he's a tough kid. And that's what makes a difference at the college level."
After the workout, Hynoski is headed for the door when Mayer asks, "Henry, have you made your decision? I don't want to know, but have you made your decision?"
One of the best football players to come out of Central Pennsylvania in recent years, Hynoski's college choice was discussed endlessly by Internet scribes, reporters and recruiting gurus. He would make his college decision in less than a week. But at the moment, only he knows. Riding back from Williamsport, Hynoski talks about the recruiting process, which started nearly two long years ago. On the CD player, Brad Paisley sings, "I've got some big news."
LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT: Clomp, clomp, clomp. Dozens of cleats hit the stones over and over. Clomp, clomp, clomp.
The Southern Columbia Tigers make their way down the stone path that leads to the practice field. Hynoski has spent his day teaching football and training for football. But now he'll actually play it — or at least go through conditioning drills with his teammates. For a little more than an hour, the Tigers block, run, catch. Working with the other running backs, Hynoski smashes into teammates holding blocking pads; against the smaller boys, Hynoski is the irresistible force meeting very-movable objects. He collides with them like it's smash-up derby night at the dirt track — only he's the only one with a car. Each boy is jolted back a little farther than the previous, until the third and final one ends up on his behind.
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Seth Hoover/The Daily Item
"; aryZooms[imgCounter] = "javascript: NewWindow(780,600,window.document.location+'&Template=photos&img="+imgCounter+"')"; It's twilight as the Tigers make their way back up the hill to the parking lot. Parents and girlfriends wait for the boys. Some of the kids have already decided that they're going out for wings. Hynoski needs a clean shirt, but he doesn't have one in his car. He asks around, and one boy offers one of his. Hynoski starts to put it on, but he doesn't get too far before realizing that it's a lost cause — his training at Scicchitano's has seen to that. It's like trying to put a cat's collar around the neck of a Great Dane.
After running home to shower, Hynoski meets up with his friends. They all load up on the wings, going back again and again for more. The boys occasionally look up to watch sports on ESPN. Roger Goodell has just been named the new NFL commissioner this day. When it's suggested to Hynoski that he could be walking across a stage some day to shake hands with Goodell (standard procedure for players taken in the first two rounds of the draft), he says, "That would be great. But I can't get ahead of myself."
One player, Nick Hartranft, sits at Hynoski's table. He wants the hottest wings the establishment has to offer, but they're not on the buffet bar. The waitress agrees to bring them out, but when they arrive, he has no desire to eat them. "What's wrong?" she asks. "I don't want to eat them," he says. "I'll pay for them, but I just wanted to see them." She walks away annoyed. Austin Lonoconus, another player at the table, yells, "Ma'am, I'm this boy's father. You have my permission to smack him."
One by one, the players line up to check out Hartranft's hot wings. A few glide their finger along a wing, just to get a dab of the sauce, and then suck it down. It's a small amount, but a huge mistake for one boy, whose eyes go bloodshot and who desperately needs water.
After some teasing by his teammates, Hartranft finally eats one wing, enough to get his name on the soon-to-be Wall of Fame. Hynoski is just one of the guys tonight. He didn't egg Hartranft on any more or any less than the others. Watching Hartranft drink his water, Hynoski smiles and says, "He's in so much pain, but he doesn't want to show it."
It's time to go. Hynoski has to be up early for another day of camp, of training, of conditioning. The Grand Cherokee makes its way back to Elysburg. Another call. Someone who claims to know him. Hynoski politely explains repeatedly that he doesn't know who he's speaking with; he finally gives in and hangs up.
It's late when Hynoski pulls his car into the Southern Columbia parking lot to drop his passenger off. Soon enough, the lights on the adjacent football field will be bright, the fans loud, the expectations enormous.
But now it's just dark and quiet. "Sorry we kept you out so late," Hynoski says with a smile. "If your wife's mad at you, you can blame it on me."
With that, he pulls the Grand Cherokee onto Route 487 and drives away. The tail-lights slowly fade to black, like a star shooting past one galaxy and gaining speed as it heads toward another.
Out of bounds
Age: 17
Family: Parents Henry Hynoski Sr. and Kathy Hynoski, sister Mary Frances
Best friends: Guys on the football team and in my grade
Role models: My parents
Best advice I've ever gotten ... and from whom: Be yourself, my parents
Anticipated major in college: Business
Favorite subject: Math or history
Hobbies: Fishing, weight-lifting, hanging out with my friends
Favorite food: Wings
Last movie I watched: "Talladega Nights"
Last book I read: "Angels and Demons," by Dan Brown
Favorite type of music: Country
Favorite musician: Breaking Benjamin
What freaks me out: Spiders
Biggest pet peeve: When people don't use their God-given talents
Worst job or chore: Digging an electric fence for my dog all around my property
Secret vice: Biting my nails
What I'd like to try but haven't yet: Skydiving
One thing few people know about me ... until now: I am very determined
Should the NFL not work out, my dream job would be: A business owner
document.write(unescape(xtraFacts)); Between the sidelines
Height: 6-2
Weight: 235
Positions: FB-LB
40 time: 4.62
Bench press: 370
Accolades: Two-time All-State selection; named 2005 Daily Item Player of the Year
Career highlight: Rushing for 419 yards in leading Southern Columbia past Piux X in 2004 state quarterfinals
College choice: Pittsburgh
First test of your senior year
1. Getting married and having children after college ... :
A. would be great
B. is still up in the air
C. never crossed my mind
D. scares the bejesus out of me
2. If I could spend one day with this woman, it would be:
A. Mandy Moore
B. Ashlee Simpson
C. Lindsay Lohan
D. Someone else-Jessica Alba
3. The ideal night out with my buddies would be:
A. Playing poker
B. Playing video games
C. Watching college/pro football
D. Chowing down
4. If there was one subject I'd eliminate, it would be:
A. Math
B. Science
C. English
D. History
5. The place I'd most like to visit is:
A. Hawaii
B. Italy
C. Aruba
D. Other
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