BETHANY - Perhaps the most honest and to the point quote to come out of camp at Bethany College for Sunday's 67th-annual Rudy Mumley Ohio Valley Athletic Conference Football Charity Classic came from Harrison Central graduate and Ohio defensive lineman Matt Shurina when asked about the rivalry with West Virginia.
"We don't dislike them, but they're not on our level," he said smiling.
A Buckeye teammate Shurina expects to provide a huge problem for the Mountaineer squad is his defensive linemate from Big Red.
Article Photos
"William Houst from Steubenville is impressive," Shurina said. "He's always good. He makes big plays. It will be fun to play with him.
But it doesn't end with just Houst. Shurina feels like the Ohio squad is stacked with talent all over the field.
"All the guys here are really good players, though, so it feels good to play on a team with them," he said.
With all that talent and the belief that West Virginia is not on their level, Shurina is confident the Mountaineers two-game win streak will come to a halt.
"It's going to be real big to end the streak," he said." We're going to get it done this year.
"We plan to bring bragging rights back to Ohio.
"I'm pretty excited to get it done."
For the 5-foot-10, 200-pound Shurina, the OVAC game represents not the end of his competitive career, but the end of his days on the gridiron.
"I'm wrestling for Heidelberg," said the two-time Ohio Division II State Wrestling Tournament qualifier. "I'm pretty excited, but I'm ready for this game. I'm focused on that right now."
Though he was awarded first-team All-Eastern District and All-Buckeye 8 for his 55-tackle, three-sack season for the Huskies, being named to the OVAC team is more than about just individual accomplishment.
"It's a great opportunity to get picked," said Shurina. "To just be selected to play in this game is an honor. It means a lot to represent my school.
"It would feel great to be a big part of the game and represent Harrison Central."
And when it's over it may just hit him that his time on the playing field has come to an end.
"I'm going to miss it a lot, but I don't think I'll realize until it's gone," said Shurina.
