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High school football: Coffman receiver uses skills
Thursday, November 15, 2007 4:07 AM
By Steve Blackledge
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Since Jake Stoneburner took up football in first grade, there has been no doubt about his ability.
"Are you kidding? I wasn't even coaching here yet and I had heard about his exploits in Little League and middle school," seventh-year Dublin Coffman coach Mark Crabtree said. "He was tall and he sure could run. It made you wonder what he might be capable of achieving down the road."
The only question about Stoneburner was which position to best use that potential.
"Dad always had visions of me playing quarterback, but I liked running the ball the best," Stoneburner said. "By the time I got to high school, they put me at receiver, and that stuck. I guess I finally came to the realization that you don't see many 6-foot-3 running backs."
Now a polished 6-5, 230-pound senior receiver for unbeaten Coffman, Stoneburner possesses a freaky skill set for his frame. He has been timed in 4.46 seconds for the 40-yard dash, regularly outleaps defenders and is a handful to tackle. He is versatile enough to play tight end and slot back and is also valuable on special teams, averaging 39 yards per punt and 52.2 yards on kickoffs.
Entering a regional championship with Hilliard Darby (11-1) at Upper Arlington at 7 p.m. Saturday, Stoneburner is a key for a Coffman offense scoring 38.2 points per game. He has 67 receptions for 1,131 yards, a 16.9-yard average, with 13 touchdowns.
"One of the reasons I chose Ohio State was because they reassured me that as long as I don't get over 235 or 240 and keep my 40 times where they are, I'll fit perfectly fine as a receiver," he said. "To be honest, I view myself as a receiver. Tight end isn't for me."
The Columbus Dispatch : High school football: Coffman receiver uses skills
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