Scouting the opponent is the responsibility of each team.

Tuesday, August 29, 2000

Scouting the opponent is the responsibility of each team. Scouting the players for college is a job done by many.

College teams scout for their own talent, but they also employ the work of various scouting services.

The scouting services – which seem to be growing by leaps and bounds – differ on some players, but the blue chips players find their way onto almost all the tip sheets.

Ironton senior linebacker/tight end Redgie Arden is one of those blue chip players. Several magazines have listed Arden as one of the top linebackers and he has the verbal commitment to Ohio State to back up his lofty ranking.

Scouting Evaluation Association of Fallbrook, Calif., listed the 6-foot-6, 235-pound Arden among the top 54 senior players in Ohio.

Another familiar name on the list is 6-3, 185-pound Matt Kubik, the speedy quarterback for Youngstown Mooney. Kubik, who ran 70 for a touchdown in a state semifinal loss to Ironton last year, is high on several college recruiting list including Notre Dame.

Chillicothe strong safety Marshall Upshaw (6-0, 190) is on the list, but absent is Germantown Valley View quarterback Dustin Strayer.

However, Strayer (6-1, 190) is listed in John McCallister’s Prep Football Prospects of Ohio, now in its 11th year of publication.

McCallister, who watches and evaluates players on his own and refuses to pirate other scouring services, also lists Kubik along with Logan’s Joey Conrad (6-4, 200).

Arden is listed as McCallister’s No. 1 linebacker. He was most impressed by the fact, as he says, that Arden "will rock you when he makes contact."

PFPO magazine has a couple of other area players listed among the best in the state, and both are future opponents of Ironton.

Gallipolis running back Ike Simmons (6-3, 195) is reported to run a 4.6 40-yard dash. McCallister likes his explosion as a runner, but he thinks Simmons is a better free safety than a running back.

McCallister likes Portsmouth’s Matt Howbert (6-5, 265) as on offensive lineman. Howbert reportedly runs a 5.2 in the 40 and has a 375 bench press. McCallister said the game against Ironton last season caught his eye and made him take a closer look at Howbert.

Another Ironton opponent, Columbus St. Francis DeSales, will bring a top wide receiver to Tanks Memorial Stadium the final game of the regular season. Kevin Hazel (6-0, 200) has 4.65 speed and his father is a former Ohio State player.

Anyone interested in purchasine McCallister’s magazine can write him at Box 66, Upper Sandusky, Ohio 43351, or call (419) 294-5129. The cost is $5.95.