BETHANY - For most players in the 67th-annual Rudy Mumley Ohio Valley Athletic Conference All-Star Football Charity Classic, it takes some time to get used to their team's head coach.
For Madonna graduate and West Virginia linebacker Ryan Mozingo, who recorded 216 tackles, six sacks, five fumble recoveries, three interceptions, and three defensive touchdowns in his career, that's not an issue as the Mountaineers' front man is Blue Dons head coach Doug Taylor.
"It's very good to get to play for him one more time," said Mozingo. "It's comfortable because I know what to expect from the coaching staff, what they expect from their players, and how they run their practices.
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Ryan Mozingo
"It's a good comfort level for me and very fun."
Mozingo is also happy he gets another opportunity to end playing time for Taylor with a win.
"It'd be great," he said. "The regular season didn't end so well for us. I'm looking forward to coming back with my coaching staff, getting a victory, and ending my high school career on a positive note."
Adding to the excitement for the game is that Mountaineers have a chance to run its win streak to three games over the Buckeyes. Something Mozingo and his teammates are anxious to achieve.
"It would be very big," he said. "We were talking about that last night in our dorm room.
"(Wheeling Park wide receiver) Boo (Lathon) brought it up that we can't mess it up and we have to keep it going. We definitely don't want to be the team to ruin the streak we have right now."
No matter what happens he feels blessed to just be a part of the game.
"It's a great honor," said the 5-foot-8, 190-pound Mozingo. "The best of the best represent the OVAC from Ohio and West Virginia.
"It's just nice to hang out all week with the great athletes this valley has to offer and have fun with them as we get ready for a great game."
One of those great athletes that Mozingo is particularly happy to compete with is a former middle school rival.
"Tim Faulkner because back when we were younger I went to Wellsburg Middle and he went to Follansbee Middle," said Mozingo. "It was a middle school rivalry and I was always playing against him.
"Even me going to Madonna and him going to Brooke, I went to Brooke games and saw what he does. He's just fast, not the biggest guy, but he'll run you over, and doesn't hold any prisoners out on the field."
Mozingo was named first-team All-OVAC and All-Mason Dixon Conference player as well as special mention West Virginia Class A All-State special mention. He'll be taking that resume to Waynesburg University.
"I'm very excited to move on and continue my football and education at the college level," said Mozingo. "Hopefully I'll do well. I have high expectations for myself there."
He also feels the OVAC game will be a tremendous stepping stone to college ball.
"I've been conditioning for this and it's just going to put me in better shape when I go down to camp at college and hopefully have me a step ahead of other incoming freshmen," said Mozingo. "I'll work hard and maybe get some playing time."
