Hormann proves he belongs with state’s best

Landon Hormann had his doubts about football; he didn’t even play as a freshman.

There’s no doubt now that he’s among the state’s best players.

“I didn’t think that I liked it enough,” the West Liberty-Salem High School senior said during Saturday’s North-South Classic at Welcome Stadium. “But I missed it so bad, I wanted to go back.”

At 6-feet-5, 200 pounds, Hormann was a big-time target for Coldwater quarterback Austin Bruns. Hormann had a jump-ball catch that led to a score.

Michael Geiger of the North and Ottawa Hills booted a 55-yard field goal with five minutes left in the fourth quarter to beat the South in the nightcap, 27-24.

The North won the Divisions I-III opener, 33-27. The games featured players throughout the state.

Hormann played on championship and playoff teams for the Tigers. But it didn’t pay off into a scholarship to play at the next level like many of his South teammates. Instead, he’s being recruited to play basketball. Findlay is high on his go-to list.

That’s what made playing in the 63rd Classic so rewarding.

“I feel that I can play with all of these guys,” he said.

  • Chaminade Julienne linebacker Darrien Howard (West Virginia) was the South defensive player of the game. Teammate Jamal Sanders led the South with 4.5 tackles.
  • Lebanon receive Austin Wolf (Akron) had two receptions for 88 yards, including a 66-yard TD catch on a nifty post move in the second quarter.

Wolf, 6-2, 200, initially agreed to be a non-scholarship walk-on at UC until the Zips came through with an offer. His cousin, Minster junior tight end Ethan Wolf, has verbally committed to Tennessee. Ethan’s father played football at Badin.

  • The games were played on Dayton's home field, but no one listed on the four rosters is committed to being a Flyer. That doesn't mean it couldn't happen; many players are not committed, especially at the Divisions IV-VI level.
  • Teams were told to divvy their offenses to 60 percent passing and 40 percent running. Defensively, no one was to blitz and all coverage was man. But the additional game was bending those rules until being caught. The D-I-III North blitzed a linebacker at least five straight plays early in that game.
  • North Division I-III kicker Josh Brebant of Copley should carry Thunderfoot as his handle. With the wind, he booted at least three pregame field goals of 60 yards that each were good by at least 10 yards. He wrapped up with a final blast of 63 yards that would have been good from 75.

It was practice, with no holder and no rush, but Northern Illinois has to be giddy about landing Brebant.

  • Wayne receiver Jesse Bray (Tiffin) had two catches for 15 yards. Springboro Jake Johnson and Troy Mangen of Northmont also had one reception each.

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