Boone an uncoventional choice
Who says an offensive lineman shouldn't win Mr. Football? St. Edward's talented tackle Alex Boone - who is headed to Ohio State - has proven he's a worthy candidate for the state's most prestigious football honor.
Thursday, August 26, 2004
Eddie Dwyer
Plain Dealer Reporter
Quarterback, tailback and wide receiver are football's glamour positions.
The players who excel at these positions attract the most media attention, the lion's share of the credit and the postseason awards.
But as the heroes of the headlines celebrate their trips to the end zone, the first ones to pat them on the helmet and lift them up in jubilation are the guys who, for the most part, labor in the trenches in anonymity.
Since Ohio's Mr. Football award came into existence in 1987, it has never gone to a lineman. And in this statistic-craving era of fantasy leagues and sports video games, the chance of an offensive lineman being selected as the state's premier player is probably right up there with the odds of winning the Super Lotto.
That said, it's time to roll the dice and consider an area lineman worthy of serious consideration: Meet Alex Boone of St. Edward.
STACKED ODDS
History makes Boone anything but a favorite for Mr. Football in 2004. The award always has favored offense over defense and backs over linemen - although a couple of linemen have come close.
In 1990, former St. Ignatius Parade All-America defensive lineman Trent Zenkewicz finished second in the voting; and in 1993, St. Ignatius' defensive lineman Mike Buzin also finished second. Zenkewicz and Buzin doubled as offensive linemen.
In the history of the award, only one player - Westerville South middle linebacker Andy Katzenmoyer in 1995 - took home the honor strictly for his defense. St. Peter Chanel's Brandon "Bam" Childress was Ohio's Mr. Football in 1999, based on the combination of his skills as a kick returner, wide receiver and defensive back. And in 1991, Fostoria quarterback Derek Kidwell doubled as a defensive end, but got the nod for Mr. Football for his offensive play.
So why should Boone be a candidate as an offensive lineman? Because he stands out, and not just because he's 6-8 and 320 pounds.
After his sophomore season, Boone was being recruited by most of the major-college programs in the nation. He committed to Ohio State in the summer of 2003 and has remained loyal to the Buckeyes, despite the persuading efforts of Notre Dame, Southern California, Michigan and others. He plans to sign a national letter of intent with OSU during the NCAA's football signing period in February.
Along with his scholarship, Boone has garnered a few postseason honors. Last year, he was selected to The Plain Dealer All-Star Team and the Associated Press' Division I All-Ohio Team.
Being named to these teams is flattering. But when you look at the impact Boone can have on a game, you have to wonder why another dominant season shouldn't earn Boone a realistic shot at the state's most prestigious honor.
"The thing that impresses me the most about Alex is the way he can move for a big lineman," said Brian Walnsch, who coaches the centers at St. Edward and assists Eagles offensive line coach Dan Scanlon. "He looks and moves more like a center on a basketball court. I know Ohio State is looking at him as possibly a guard, so that tells you how quick he is.
"Alex reminds me a lot of Ryan Keenan, who now plays on the defensive line at Northwestern. When Ryan played offensive tackle for us, he could get to the second level so fast. Alex is the same way.
"But no, I don't think an offensive lineman has a chance to ever win [Mr. Football]. It comes down to statistics. The voters like to see touchdowns scored, etc. It is a shame, because offensive linemen are just as deserving."
BETTER THAN GOOD Several of St. Edward's opponents agree with Walnsch, but emphasize that if ever there was an offensive lineman worthy of Mr. Football, Boone certainly fits the bill.
Last season, Warren Harding all-district defensive end Anthony Hoke described Boone as the best he had played against - quite a compliment considering Harding traditionally faces one of the toughest schedules in Ohio.
Recently, Shaker Heights' all-state linebacker/defensive end Nick Simon smiled and commented about his "spirited" encounters with Boone, both in game situations and summer camps. Simon, rated as one of the top 35 players in Ohio, tested Boone's will and pass-blocking technique this summer as the two seniors knocked each other around at the Mount Union camp.
"He's good - very good. Let's just leave it at that," Simon said.
Shaker Heights' veteran football coach Dave Sedmak has developed several outstanding offensive linemen, including Adrien Clarke of Ohio State, who was drafted by Philadelphia in April and recently signed a contract with the Eagles. Sedmak has seen Boone's work up close and points out that his potential is limitless.
"As a coach, you really notice and appreciate his footwork," Sedmak said. "I am really impressed with his technique and how this kid, for as big as he is, has developed into a fluid pass blocker.''
Like any good offensive tackle, Boone understands and relishes his role. He realizes his job consists of "the dirty work" - fighting for space for his running backs and providing protection for his quarterback. And he performs his duties while some defensive lineman or linebacker is driving a helmet and pads into his chest and knees, or trying to implant his facemask into his forehead. Boone also draws satisfaction from the fact that his job, when done well, leads to the success of others. But then this is a kid whose main concern is to be able to look up at the scoreboard at the end of the night and see more points next to his school's name than that of the opponent.
"I always think of us as 'the five,' " Boone said of his teammates along the offensive line. "But it's always good to hear about an individual offensive lineman doing well. I remember last year I read about a couple of linemen in the paper. I thought it was real nice that they were getting the time, because nobody ever gives us glory."
As he was preparing for the start of the season, Boone emphasized that his main focus is to help the Eagles return to the Division I state championship game. St. Edward was runner-up to Cincinnati Elder in 2003.
But the big kid with the warm smile couldn't help but look surprised when asked how he would react if he became the first lineman to win Ohio's most coveted football award.
"I never, never even thought about winning it," Boone said. "I mean, I always hear about people winning it, and I'm like, that's awesome. But I think even if another offensive lineman won it, I would be very happy.
"If that happened, all of us linemen could be very proud."
THE ALEX BOONE FILE
School: St. Edward High School in Lakewood.
Year in school: Senior.
Age: 17.
Height and weight: 6-8, 320 pounds.
Position: Right offensive tackle.
Performance rating: Helped the Eagles to a Division I state runner-up finish last season by grading better than 90 percent for his pass blocking and run blocking.
2003 awards: Was a first-team Associated Press All-Northeast Lakes District selection, an AP All-Ohio selection and a member of The Plain Dealer "Best of the Best" All-Star and Cuyahoga County All-Star teams.
2004 preseason recognition: Is rated among the top 100 players in the nation by most scouting publications and is rated among the top five players in Ohio by Ohio High Magazine.
Personal: Has dedicated his season to former St. Edward standout lineman Jaime McManamon, who died in an auto accident in May as he was returning home from Cornell University. "I learned so much from him: character, how to be a good person. Jaime was never the kind of person to put people down. He taught me how to be a leader." Is an altar boy for his parish church, St. Mark's in Lakewood. He said he usually has to wear one of the priest's gowns because the regular ones are too small for him. Enjoys coaching the grade-school kids in football at St. Vincent DePaul on Cleveland's West Side and can't say enough about how much his immediate family means to him - his mom, Amy; his dad, Jim; his older brother, J.J., a former All-Ohio linebacker at St. Edward; his grandmother, Noreen Sulzer; and his uncles, Keith and Richard Sulzer. Another uncle, Ed Boone, was a standout in football for St. Joseph High School (now Villa Angela-St. Joseph) and Penn State.
Future: Has committed to Ohio State on a football scholarship. Was also being pursued by Southern California, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Texas, Florida and Michigan.
- Eddie Dwyer
