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10/14/05
10/14/05
Coldwater senior linebacker lets his play do the talking
By Greg Billing
Dayton Daily News
COLDWATER | Even without his shoulder pads and helmet, Ross Homan made an intimidating presence in track at 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds. Luckily for the other sprinters, Homan was restricted to his lane.
His competition on the football field isn't so lucky.
Patrolling from sideline to sideline, the Coldwater senior's track speed and tenacious tackling combine to make him one of the top linebackers in Ohio and a prized Ohio State University recruit. And while he's good at chasing down offensive backs and sprinters alike, that's about the only thing Homan runs. The quiet, media-shy Cavalier isn't interested in providing sound bites. He's more concerned with sound hits.
"Growing up watching a lot of sports on TV, you'd see these athletes with great ability and they'd always be running their mouth," Homan said.
Because of that, the only smack you'll hear from Homan comes when his helmet and pads find their target — whether on offense or defense. Homan, who prefers linebacker to his role as the Cavs' main running back out of the shotgun, relishes delivering a blow on both sides.
"When it comes time to make contact (on offense) you lower the pads and give them a hit," Homan said.
Homan has 667 career tackles entering tonight's Midwest Athletic Conference showdown with Versailles, including 79 this season (49 solo, 30 assists). As a freshman in the meat-grinder MAC he finished with 135 tackles (93 solo, 42 assists). He followed that up with 219 and 234 last season.
Homan also has 22 career sacks. Homan — who has been clocked in the 40-yard dash at a fleet 4.57 seconds — draws praise for his great closing speed, ability to drop into coverage and his toughness. In his lone season of track as a junior he qualified for the district final in the 100-meter dash.
"Besides his God-given ability it's his work ethic," Reed said of Homan's success. "I can't imagine how you can work any harder in-season and during the off-season than he does."
Homan wants to see this year's season extended one more week than 2004. The Cavaliers reached the Division IV state semifinals, but fell to Versailles 14-0. It marked the Cavaliers' eighth straight state playoff appearance (10th overall) with a pair of runner-up finishes (1998, '00). If Homan could give one thing to Coldwater, it'd be that elusive state crown.
"Probably our team (is what I'll miss most)," Homan said of playing for OSU next season. "Everything the coaches and the community have done for us. I love this community so much. The program got so close for so many years and didn't get a state championship. It kind of gets to you after awhile."
Just like Homan from his linebacker spot. Reed said some teams have focused on containing Homan more this season, but Homan continues to fight through that.
"I know they key on me but that motivates me to work harder," said Homan, who recognized early that talent alone wouldn't be enough to get him where he wanted. "I knew physical attributes take you only so far without any hard work. I kept that in mind through high school."
"His sophomore year I asked him why he's so humble," Reed said. "He told me, 'It's obvious if someone is real cocky people don't want to pull for those guys. If a person is humble people want to see them be successful.' "
To find out which one describes Homan, just check out the reaction when the Buckeyes received a verbal commitment from Homan, a long-time OSU fan himself. The positive response was proof enough that Homan has a strong following already. He had some good role models along the way with his parents Dave and Alice Homan, and first cousins Bobby Hoying and Tom Hoying, both whom played for OSU.
"That's the way we've always talked about it around the house," Dave Homan said of not being flashy or arrogant. "You watch the NFL and all these things and guys constantly look for the limelight. Generally, it comes back to bite them."
Contact Greg Billing at 225-2400, Ext. 6991.
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