The power went out shortly after the start of the United States Army All-American Bowl Selection Tour stop Wednesday morning at Taft High School, but that couldn't dim the enthusiasm.
Senator athletes made up the majority of the spectators in the gym at the school on Ezzard Charles Drive, gathered to observe the official invitation of Taft football standouts Adolphus Washington and Dwayne Stanford II to play for the East team in the game, scheduled for Jan. 7 at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
Outgoing Senators coach Mike Martin also was invited to Texas to participate in the Army Coaches Academy, a three-day event featuring NFL and NCAA coaches, and in other game-week activities. Army Staff Sergeant Brian Wray - one of five soldiers on hand, all dressed in camouflage fatigues - issued the invitations, which included passing out jerseys and caps to the players and a cap for Martin.
"San Antonio's going to be a blast," Martin said. "We're going to have a good time."
Stanford and Washington plan to announce their college choice together Nov. 22, two days before Thanksgiving.
"We wanted to do it on Thanksgiving but that's Adolphus's birthday," said Stanford, who's narrowed his choices to Oregon, Ohio State and Cincinnati.
"Besides, we figured people wouldn't want to work," said Washington, who recently added Cincinnati to Ohio State, Alabama and Michigan State on his list of finalists. "They'd rather eat."
Washington, a 6-foot-4, 260-pound defensive lineman, was named Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference defensive player of the year after accumulating 23.5 sacks, 90 tackles, three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery for a touchdown and an interception for a touchdown.
"It means a lot to me to have a chance for Taft to compete against some of the top competition in the country," Washington said about playing in the bowl.
Stanford had 32 catches for 720 yards and nine touchdowns for the Senators, who tied Withrow for the CMAC championship and went 7-3 in the regular season before losing 64-8 to Springfield Shawnee in the first round of the Division III playoffs.
Stanford and Washington are two of four Ohio players to be picked for the All-American Bowl, according to Rivals.com, which reports that offensive linemen Kyle Dodson of Cleveland Heights and Kyle Kalis of Lakewood St. Edward also have been chosen.
"It means all my hard work finally paid off," Stanford said. "I get the chance to compete with the best from around the country and show what I've got."
Martin and Taft principal Kelly Rozelle pointed out Washington and Stanford to the assembled athletes as examples of what they can accomplish.
"They are your road maps," said Rozelle, standing in front of a podium between the two players. "They are showing you the way."
Source:
