A good offensive line is necessary

WHEELING - No matter the level or style of football a good offensive line is a necessity. When the Rudy Mumley Ohio Valley Athletic Conference All-Star Charity Football Classic unfolds July 24, Ohio head coach Dave Caldwell feels he's got a solid crop of linemen ready. "We have big, athletic guys," Caldwell said. "We took guys who were extremely athletic, so they could move around to where we needed them most."
Though some of the players may have to move from a spot they played during their prep days, Caldwell thinks they will adjust quickly.
"We are going to try to keep them in position as much as we can," Caldwell explained. "We have some guys who are big and agile, so we are really pleased with the mixture of players we have."
Set to anchor the offense for the Buckeyes are: River's Shaun Okey and Wesley Haslam, St. Clairsville's Caleb Meyers, Catholic Central's Kenny Davis, Shenandoah's Lucas Michel, Beallsville's Robert O'Hara, Bellaire's Dirk
Soland, Caldwell's Chase Garvin and Steubenville's Quentin Nelson.
Here is a capsule look at the players:
DIRK SOLAND, Bellaire - This former Big Reds' two-way lineman was a staple of both lines for coach John Magistro. Soland was an offensive guard and a relentless defensive end for the Reds, helping them to the playoffs the past two seasons and a regional title in 2003.
The 6-foot-1, 220-pounder was one of the Reds' top tacklers from his end position and earned several post-season honors for his fine senior campaign. He was a first team All-OVAC, All-District and All-Times Leader pick. Along with football, Soland also earned a monogram in baseball and wrestling at Bellaire.
Soland - who will attend Washington & Jefferson College in the fall - is the
son of Brad and Tina Soland of Bellaire.
SHAUN OKEY, River - This nimble Pilot was the true anchor of the offensive line for coach Mike Flannery's Pilots. Okey served as the center for River and also lined up as a defensive tackle. He graded out at 85 percent blocking and had 53 solo tackles and four sacks.
The 6-foot-4, 285-pounder was a second team All-Ohio pick in Division V. He was also first team All-Eastern District, All-Valley and All-Times Leader. Okey also lettered in basketball during his high school career.
Okey - who is headed to West Liberty State College - is the son of Gerald and Arlene Okey of Sardis.
ROBERT O'HARA, Beallsville - This selection for Caldwell was a no-brainer seeing this Devil anchored the offensive line for the veteran coach. The 6-foot-2, 275-pounder was the center and also lined up at defensive tackle for the Blue Devils.
He was a first-team All-PVC, All-OVAC and All-District selection. He was also a second team All-Valley pick. O'Hara's talents were not limited to the football field, seeing he lettered in both wrestling and track for the Devils.
O'Hara - who is undecided upon his future plans - is the son of Bernie and Bonnie O'Hara of Jerusalem.
QUENTIN NELSON, Steubenville - The Big Red always boasts a formidable offensive line. This selection was one of the big reasons why the Big Red line was again solid in 2004.
Nelson was an offensive tackle for the Big Red, paving the way for fellow OVAC All-Stars Antonio Magnone and Gary Stubbs to do damage for coach Reno Saccoccia.
The 6-foot-2, 280-pounder was a two-year letterman, an All-Area pick, All-OVAC, first team All-District, second team All-Ohio and winner of the Calvin Jones Award.
Along with football, Nelson was a member of the Big Red track team as a shot putter. He was also active in Key Club and Student Senate.
Nelson - who is headed to Youngstown State University - is the son of Gail Worrals of Steubenville.
CALEB MYERS, St. Clairsville - This mammoth two-way tackle was the leader of the offensive line for the Red Devils and coach Brett McLean this past fall. The 6-foot-4, 325-pounder was a first team All-Times Leader and All-Valley
pick. He was a second team All-OVAC selection and Honorable Mention All-Ohio.
Myers - who is slated to play football at Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pa. - is the son of Reverand Dean Myers and Terri Myers of St. Clairsville.
LUCAS MICHEL, Shenandoah - This Zep is another in a long line of good offensive linemen to come from coach Dan Wesson's program. Michel was a mainstay as a two-way tackle for the Zeps, helping fellow OVAC All-Star Jacob Zerkle take the running game to new levels. He also ranked second on the team in tackles.
Michel was also a state placer in wrestling and the OVAC champion.
For his football exploits, Michel was an All-OVAC, All-PVC, All-District and
All-Valley first team pick. He was also an All-Ohio Special Mention pick.
Michel - who is the son of Leo and LuAnn Michel of Sarahsville - will attend Muskingum College in the fall.
WESLEY HASLAM, River - This was another benchmark of the Pilots' offensive front last fall for Flannery. Haslam lined up as a two-way tackle for the Pilots with his 6-foot-2, 300-pound frame.
He was a first team All-District, All-Times Leader, All-OVAC and second team All-Valley pick.
Wesley is a two-time placer in the state wrestling tournament.
Wesley - who is the son of George and Donna Haslam of Clarington - is heading to Newport News College in Virginia.
CHASE GARVIN, Caldwell - Blocking has become the forte of this Redskin during the past four years. The 6-foot, 245-pounder has been a mainstay on the offensive line for the Redskins and coach Josh Perkins. He was an All-OVAC, All-District and All-PVC pick last fall. Garvin is also active in FFA and 4-H during his high school career.
Garvin - who is undecided about his collegiate future - is the son of Rowena and Alan Garvin of Caldwell.
KENNY DAVIS, Steubenville Catholic - This two-way standout was one of the main reasons for the resurgence of the Crusaders last fall. Davis was a two-way line standout for coach Gregg Bahen's team, helping it to the Division V playoffs.
The 5-foot-11, 245-pounder was a first team All-OVAC, All-District,
All-Valley, Quad County pick. He was also a honorable mention All-Ohio pick. Davis was also a member of the Crusaders' OVAC championship boys track team and was also active in drama at Catholic Central.
Davis - who is headed to Ohio Dominican University - is the son of 1978 OVAC All-Star Ken and Penny Davis of Steubenville.

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