Ashland Spring Football Game

[GoZips]

Since none of the loyal, faithful slugs reported zip on the Zips second scrimmage let me tell one and all about my visit to Ashland.

As HulaZip knows, GoZips lives in Wadsworth which makes for an easy jump down the

I-roads to Ashland. First off, Ashland's Community Stadium (where the Div 2 Eagles

play) is even harder to loacte than the Rubber Bowl. But, as luck would have it, I finally found it.

I was greeted upon entering the facility (more a sports complex with a football field than a stadium) by former Zips coach Tom Stacy. We had a pleasant chat. He told me that most if not all the Ashland FB coachs will be in attendance for the Zip's Spring Game.

Next I spend several minutes with Lee Owens. He was as cheerful and bubbly as ever.

The "game" was played with heart. They used the same scoring system Lee had brought

to Akron from Ohio State. A bit different than the one reported on Gozips.com for the Akron scrimmage.

While the kids are decent sized the thing you really notice is the lack of speed. A Div-IA team only has to run sweeps and fly patterns (kind of like Nebraska, Auburn, Florida, Tennessee and Penn State did against the Zips) to anilalate Ashland.

Lee installed two things he did at Akron. The superb offensive scheme that the AU kids were just beginning to grasp. And, the pathetic inability to tackle the ball carrier.

AU has several kids vying for the starting QB slot. One kid did show that he wants the job. Although he wore #4 he most reminded me of Charlie. I heard he was also from Willard.

Talked to several HS head coachs in attendance. I spent the entire game with the defense along the side line. One head coach (Nance of Hamilton, OH) told me that his daughter is attending Zippyland on a track scholarship in the Fall. His son, a red-shirt

Freshman is a starting cornerback for the Ashland Eagles. Kid played well, too.

Oh, yeah, the defense "won" 66-35. A close game.

[Zips4life]

Do you know if any of our current Akron players will be transferring to Ashland?

[Guest Snowball]

Just found this page. Great to see so many folks following Akron Football.

You have gotta think that at least Owens' kid would join his daddy at Ashland. He never showed much at green HS and has not played at Akron in two years. Was he on a grant or just a walk-on? Coach Meyers' kid was also on the team and could leave for a level where he would actually get to play. I would think that a handful of kids would leave Akron after Spring Ball. Some may just not fit in with the new schemes and others may not like the new coaches. The more folks who leave and are on scholarship can open the doors for additional late signees to come in for the fall.

keep on rolling....

snowball