By Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

SOUTH POINT — “Alright, Mr. James. Once around the OAC.”

OK. So maybe Blaine Freeman didn’t hire a chauffeur to drive him from school to school, but he did make the rounds before deciding on the Heidelberg University Student Princes.

An NCAA Division 3 program, Heidelberg is a member of the Ohio Athletic Conference that includes Capital, John Carroll, Mount Union, Otterbein, Marietta, Wilmington, Ohio Northern, Muskingum and Baldwin Wallace.

The South Point Pointers’ senior All-Ohio running back said he looked at teams in the OAC before settling on the Student Princes.

“I thought Heidelberg was the best choice for me,” said Freeman. “I love the coaching staff. They’re really nice. It’s a great place for me.”

Freeman played running back and linebacker for the Pointers, but he will be strictly a running back for the Student Princes.

At 5-foot-8, 200 pounds, Freeman can run with power and speed. He was a two-time all-district selection but was hampered this season by a nagging ankle injury.

“It impacted me a little bit, but I just fought through it every week,” said Freeman.

Football has but he also plays baseball.  Although Freeman likes baseball, he said his first love is football.

“It’s my favorite. I don’t know what it is. There’s just something about it,” said Freeman who then lit up with a grin. “You’re able to hit people and not get in trouble for it. That’s all I got to say.”

The love of football has been a driving force for Freeman who has always envisioned a chance to play at the college level.

“I’ve thought about it my whole life. I’ve always wanted to play college football,’ said Freeman. “It’s definitely going to be difficult, but time will tell.”

Although Freeman will be a freshman and have to prove himself, he said conversations with the coaches have been very positive and encouraging.

We talked a little bit about how big of an impact some people will be. They think I’ll impact pretty well,” said Freeman.

When it comes to setting goals, Freeman said that’s not his demeanor.

“I’ve never thought too much about goals, but I wouldn’t mind playing my freshman year,” said Freeman with a grin.

Pointers’ head coach Chris Davis believes Freeman is a good fit for Heidelberg regardless of what position he plays.

“Once they get you there, I told him they’ll put you in places whichever fits them. If he gets to play linebacker, that’s good, if it’s running back that’s great. I just said wherever they put you, excel,” said Davis.

Freeman and teammate Rece Craft both signed with Heidelberg on Friday while teammate Dontae Harris opted for West Virginia State.

Davis said all three players had an impact on the team’s success over the past four seasons.

“Those three seniors meant a lot to this program,” said Davis. “We had 16 of them. They were all a part of what we did this past year and the past four years.

“We had to lose them, but this is a great opportunity for them and it’s great for the school to see this happening to them. We haven’t seen this for a long time and it’s building each year.”-

Freeman plans to major in business administration.