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LB Ross Homan (official thread)

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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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Ross and Coldwater will be on ONN's Game of the Week this Friday against Versailles. The game will be showed at 10pm Friday night and then again at 9:30 on Saturday morning. Good chance for everybody to get a first glimpse of another Buckeye.

I would like to invite everyone unfamiliar with MAC football to watch this game. It will provide a real nice look into MAC football and show everyone how good small school football in Ohio really is.

Should be a dandy. There won't be any room anywhere near Versailles' stadium for this one........
 
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HERE WE GO, CAVALIERS, HERE WE GO!!!!!!

TAME THE TIGGERS!!!

Tigger--C10042259.jpeg

 
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Onn is channel 100 on time warner digital cable.

homan has been tearing it up all night long in this game. Seemingly in on every defensive stop, and a dominant force in the running game. good game overall from both teams.
 
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LINK

10/15/05

Coldwater ices Versailles, 31-21

By Greg Billing
Dayton Daily News
VERSAILLES | There were two crownings at Versailles' H.B. Hole Field on Friday, and nearly a third. Besides Versailles naming its homecoming king and queen, Coldwater staked its claim to the Midwest Athletic Conference title.

In a battle of unbeatens and state's top-ranked teams, Coldwater's speed kept the Cavaliers just ahead of the Tigers in an unexpected 31-21 shoot-out win. About 4,500 spectators packed Hole Field — including fans standing nearly seven rows deep in one end zone — that drove the winning 50/50 raffle ticket to $5,400.

The game was televised on the Ohio News Network by delay, but ESPN Classic might want a copy, too.

The Cavs led 31-14 with 7:05 left in the third quarter, then held on.

Coldwater racked up 329 yards in offense on its opening five possession (4 touchdowns, field goal) but just 23 yards total on its next four possessions, all punts.

Versailles' final five possessions all reached Coldwater territory, but managed one TD with two turnovers.

"We started playing good defense when we had our backs to the wall," said Coldwater receiver/defensive back Brady Geier.

Cavs' linebackers Ross Homan and Cody Muhlenkamp helped stop the Tigers' running game, while total team defense seldom let Versailles (ranked No. 1 in D-V) outside. Tigers QB Tony McNeilan completed 17 of 29 passes for 284 yards and an interception. Stephen Winner hauled in 8 passes for 176 yards, including a 67-yard TD and an incredible one-hander.

Coldwater QB Steve Borger nearly matched him, finishing 12 of 17 for 240 yards. But he also threw four touchdowns. Homan — a standout on defense — also rushed for 121 yards on 19 carries.

The Tigers converted an unofficial nine of 13 first downs, but failed to convert deep drives into points. After pulling to 31-21 with 11:42 left, Versailles (7-1, 5-1) ended its next three drives in Cavs' territory on a Geier interception, turnover on downs (four straight incompletions from the 16 including three defensed) and a fumble that Homan recovered.

"We're a very quick team but we took awhile to adjust to their team speed," Versailles coach Al Hetrick said. "They are very fast and they are physical."
Coldwater (8-0, 6-0 MAC) plays Fort Recovery next week and is at Delphos St. John's in Week 10 for a likely MAC title clash.

"It was gut-check time with two great teams playing," said Coldwater coach John Reed.

Contact Greg Billing at 225-2400, Ext. 6991.


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Here a couple of pics from Homan's game...

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image_1872997.jpg
<!--ENTER HEADLINE BELOW-->Coldwater vs. Versailles


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<!--ENTER CUTLINE BELOW-->Versailles running back Curtis Wourms carries the ball during a second-quarter drive. Coldwater linebacker Ross Homan makes the tackle.
 
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