Locals shine as West wins another All-Star clash

NEW PHILADELPHIA - The loud crack that resonated through much of Woody Hayes Quaker Stadium sent a stern message to all in attendance.

If you didn't know Keith Stewart could bring the pain before Friday, consider yourself warned.

This particular hit came on a pass over the middle in the first quarter, after Ridgewood linebacker Ian Schwab slowed up a receiver and allowed Stewart to make a crushing tackle.  

The tone was set. River View's Stewart and the feisty Schwab twins played key roles for a West defense that allowed only three points in three quarters in a 20-10 win in Friday's annual Times Reporter Charities All-Star Game.

Stewart, signed with Walsh, was named Defensive MVP for the West, serving mostly as an edge defender against the run and a cover man in the slot. 

His all-around talent was apparent early to West coach Dirk Gadd, who said he knew from the first day of practice he had a different kind of talent on his hands.

"I think he's going to Walsh and I can see why — he gets to the football," Gadd said. "He's a hitter. He can run with anybody too. I manned him up a few times and he can run with anybody. He's just an all-around tough kid who loves to hit people. That's all you can ask for in an outside linebacker."

Stewart, who said he will likely move to safety in college, left the game with positive feelings. He helped limit the East to just 40 yards on 26 carries.

"I try to be the most physical man," Stewart said. "I think Coshocton (County) put a big impact on this one."

Stewart thanked his high school coach, Mike Hemming, for pushing him to work harder. He leaves for Walsh in two weeks, a challenge he admits will be difficult.

"I have to stay focused," Stewart said.

Focus was a theme for the West squad throughout its preparation, and it showed with a workmanlike effort on both sides.

The offense held a 318-263 edge in total yards, had just 15 penalty yards and didn't fumble. The defense made the East one-dimensional.

Seth Schwab, a defensive end, racked up three sacks as an undersized pass rusher coming off the edge. His twin, Ian, split time between linebacker and defensive line. They played with reckless abandon, much like their days under coach John Slusser with the Generals.

Fittingly, the West's final defensive series ended when Seth beat his blocker and recorded a sack of Malvern's Drew Hutchison.

Gadd could be heard urging him from the sideline before that play. He answered emphatically.

"That's a coach's dream when you can count on a kid to make plays for you like that when you call them out on it," Gadd said, adding that the Schwabs were "a couple of scrappers." 

Seth Schwab called the defensive performance "outstanding." He was happy his brother got to play after suffering a torn ACL during the third quarter of a loss to Applecreek Waynedale in Week 2 of last season. He was only eight months removed from surgery.

On some occasions, the Schwabs were lined up next to each other the defensive line, which Gadd said was a testament to their versatility.

It was the final game for both players.

"It's rough playing with new kids you've never played with before, so you have to figure out who is a strength and who is not," Seth Schwab said. "I feel like we represented pretty good."

Though Buckeye Trail running back Austin Snodgrass earned Offensive MVP honors — he paced an offense that ran 36 times for 206 yards — Ridgewood quarterback Kolton Alexander engineered the game-clinching drive.

Leading 13-3 midway through the third, Alexander twice hooked up with teammate Zach Wright for key completions to keep the drive alive. Eventually, Alexander bullied his way in from the 1 to push the lead to three score at 20-3.

It was more than enough cushion, especially given the way the defense was playing.

"They played lights out," Alexander said. "We weren't even rotating anybody. They played well, especially when they had their backs to wall. They had a couple of goal-line stands (in the first half)." 

Given the historically tenuous relationship between Ridgewood and rival Newcomerstown, Gadd admittedly wasn't sure what to expect coaching the Generals' players. He was a former star running back for the Trojans in the late 1990s, so he is well-versed in the history.

"I'm not a big Ridgewood fan," Gadd admitted. "In order to have a rivalry, you can't like each other. But you can respect each other, and those kids were nothing but respectful and they played hard. Just like the rest of them, they were good kids all around."

The West now holds a 22-19 edge in the series, which has raised almost $350,000 for area charities since 1978.

sblackbu@gannett.com

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Twitter: @SamBlackburnTR