CCHS’s Stoll suiting up one more time
Crusaders senior lineman selected to particpate in Blue-Grey All-American Bowl in Dallas
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STEUBENVILLE -- Jake Stoll, a standout lineman for Catholic Central, has earned one more blocking assignment.
Stoll, a four-year letter winner for the Crusaders, has been selected to play in the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl on Jan. 29 inside AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys. The all-star game for high school seniors from across the country will start at 11 a.m., and be televised on the Impact Sports Network (You can see www.impactfootballnetwork.com for information.)
"I'm excited to showcase my talents against some great players from across the country," said the son of Teresa Stoll. "To be selected for this opportunity is a real honor, especially with be being from a small school. It shows all the hard work I've put in has paid off. I'm really looking forward to playing against quality competition."
The four-year starter on both sides of the ball for Central was selected for the game thanks to his showing at the Blue-Grey North-East Super Regional Combine held at the Philadelphia Eagles Indoor Training Center in July. Stoll landed an invitation to Philadelphia following the Midwest Regional Combine conducted inside Cincinnati's Paul Brown Stadium.
"We worked very hard at both combines," Stoll said. "We did bench presses, the broad jump, a 40-yard dash and some shuttle drills."
Following his senior year, Stoll earned first-team All-Eastern District Division IV honors for his play on the defensive line. He was a special mention All-Ohio selection and garnered a first-team defensive line spot on the Herald Star/Daily Times all-area squad.
He was in on 98 tackles (47 solo, 51 assists), recorded 13 tackles for a loss and sacked the opposing quarterback six times. On offense, Stoll finished the season with a blocking grade of 95 percent.
"We put a lot on him as far as being a leader on both our defensive and offensive lines," said Steve Daley, Stoll's coach at Central. "I thought he stepped up and did a great job against some very good competition this year. He was a four-year starter, and his play improved every season.
"This is a great opportunity for him. He will be going up against some very, very good competition. Hopefully, as a result, this opportunity will help open some doors for him at the next level."
Stoll will be playing offensive tackle in Texas. He will report to Dallas on Jan. 25, and teams will be selected through a draft by participating coaches on Jan. 26. The game will feature 90 players from across the country, 45 suiting up for each team.
"I love playing on both sides of the ball," Stoll said.
"I played offensive tackle my junior season and moved to guard for my senior year. I think that showcased that I am capable of playing anywhere along the line.
"My goal is to do well and show all the hard work I have put in over the years was worth it. At the combines, they taught us correct stances, and I have been working on them, trying to get better. I have been training hard to prepare for this opportunity."
Stoll is quick to admit his goal is to play Division I football, but he also realizes the value of a good education.
"I'm looking at schools with good programs in both football and physical therapy," he said. "That's the field I'm looking to get into so my college choice will depend a lot on the education factor.
"I have offers from two schools now and hopefully I will be receiving a few more. My understanding is there will be a lot of scouts at the game so participating should help get my name out there."
Stoll said he expects to have "some butterflies" when he steps foot onto AT&T Field but he expects they will disappear in a hurry.
"Once I first hit someone, those butterflies will go away and we will just get down to business," he said. "I'm ready to go, ready for some contact. I love the competition aspect of football.
"The invitation to play, I believe, stems from my four years of hard work, my four years of nonstop training. It's such an exciting opportunity and a real reward for all my hard work."
Stoll was part of a Central senior class which never had a losing season. The Crusaders went 6-4, 5-5, 7-4 and 7-4 during Stoll's four years and earned two trips to the Ohio Division VI playoffs.
"From day one, we learned about Central's football tradition and were told to never give up," he said. "Our senior class never gave up this season regardless of the circumstances we had to deal with.
"I think we showed Central is a tough, never give up type of program. We learned to be mentally tough and to just keep going regardless of the circumstances."
Stoll offered his thanks to Tim Delatore of Naples Spaghetti House and Albert Carapellotti of Anthony Mining for helping to sponsor his trip to the all-star game.