After reading O-R staff writer F. Dale Lolley's story () on UFC fighter and former Waynesburg High multi-sport standout Josh Koscheck, I got to thinking about other tough guys I've covered since joining the paper in 1999.
A couple football players that immediately come to mind are Waynesburg's Lanfer Simpson and a couple guys from Wash High - Dan Mozes and Tommy Sypula. Carmichaels' Bobby Hathaway also fits the mold. He destroyed people in high school, as did Monessen's Mick Williams. I'd also throw California's Donte Valentino into the mix. To break the tackles he does at his size, speaks to his toughness and desire to compete.
So which legit tough guys am I missing?
22 comments:
I get it rolling.
Former Fort Cherry linebacker/fullback Mike Harrington. He was nasty.
Mike Huuuuuuuullllllll.
Mike Hull couldnt stand in the same ring as Isiah "Ziggy" Patterson... He's a legend around CM...
How about Fort Cherry center Dave Hursh? tough kid but not real big. Loved to hit, butt heads with guys bigger than him...
Whoever said Mike Hull is absolutely correct...a monster in every sport. Whoever said Isiah "Ziggy" Patterson is obviously joking or on crack. That kid spent more time looking for spare change in the locker room than he did on any kind of competitive surface.
Other notables:
Doug Rheam -CM...the only quarterback I've ever seen lay bone crushing blocks on defensive ends. Forced out of football due to concussion problems, from delivering hits, not taking them.
Derrick Allen - CM. Nose tackle with 90+ tackles in a season. Never graduated.
Elliot Bates- Char Hou. Mammoth of a man. An absolute tyrant on the field/mat.
Nate Deliere - CM. Bruising fullback with speed, punishing linebacker with a nose for the ball and the strength of an ox.
Scot Morgan... Trinity
Scott Wharton - FC Linebacker & Fullback. He was nuts!
Doug Rheam and Scott Wharton are definitely the kind of guys we're looking for concerning this post.
Derrick Allen - forgot about that guy. He was a good DL.
Going back into my time of the early to mid ninties I'm going to say C-H's Corey Walker. I saw him a few years ago bench press 500 lbs.
What's in the water at FC?? For such a small district they always seem to turn out nasty, hard nosed kids year in and year out. It's been like that for decades, it seems.
Brendan Steele and Albert Miles should be added to discussion.
This guy didn't play in the WPIAL, but you'll recognize the name: J.R. House. Chris Dugan and I saw him play in Wheeling in a West Virginia high school championship game. He threw 10 touchdowns (yes, in one game), but the most impressive thing was seeing him carry the ball around the end and simply level a defensive player who tried to tackle him along the sideline. He played for a small school, so he was a two-way player who also delivered hard hits as a linebacker. And he wasn't a big guy at all.
Who are the strongest guys?
there were a bunch of strong guys from CM. Nate Deliere was one of them. Dave Nackoul as well, he competed nationally, taking 2nd and 3rd in weightlifting. He benched around 400+ and squated at least 550. Power cleaned 350+. His little brother Mike plays for them now, he won nationals last year for weightlifting.
Sean Lee should also be mentioned for both categories. and Nick Debartolo. Both freakishly strong and nasty on the field.
I heard Dave Nackoul repped 225 40 times at Football camp.
Mark Zupan, Rocky Destefano, Joe Como, Gene Gladys and Gary Tretter all from Monessen. Malcom Lomax from Donora.
Is this a strength competition or a tough-man discussion? Because on can bench a lot doesnt mean they will do anything with that muscle. IE Pat Maffio of CM a few years back.
We're looking for legit tough guys, not weight room freaks.
Mike Boyle...Play for CM from 1999 to 2001 (grad 2002). Wasn't very strong in the gym but was a BEAST on the field. You could not hurt this guy. I am from CM and know all of the guys mentioned above and I would take Boyle in a back ally brawl over any one of those guys (the above guys are def tough but not Mike Boyle tough...just my opinion).
I should mention that I don't really know Hull (I've obviously heard of him though and seen him play - incredible player!) as he is about 8 years younger than I. Dan Wingard, Clay Simon and Chris Sidick should be mentioned as well. All from Canon Mac. Definately tough dudes.
Mike Sutton
Jon Pidich Monessen - small guy but could bench press 250 pds 30 times.
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