OVAC ASG: W.Va. has key pieces up front

WHEELING - West Virginia has 14 players listed as Offensive and Defensive Linemen for Saturday night's 80th annual OVAC Rudy Mumley All Star Football Game. However, Wheeling Park has four representatives, while Brooke has three and Wheeling Central two.

The Mountaineers are hoping that the familiarity breeds success in the 7:15 kickoff at Wheeling Island Stadium.

A brief capsule of each player follows:

ANTHONY LANCASTER (Magnolia) - A 6-0, 227-pounder, Lancaster was a mainstay along the lines for four years under Blue Eagles head coach Craig Mason.

He also lettered two years in track and field.

Lancaster will continue his academic and athletic careers at Marietta College where he will play football and participate in track and field.

He is the son of Frank and Michele Lancaster. They reside in New Martinsville.

REUBEN ROUSE (Wheeling Park) - This 6-0, 285-pounder two-way performer played for the Patriots and head coach Chris Daugherty.

He earned first team all-West Virginia Class AAAA and honorable mention all-OVAC.

As a senior, he charted 70 tackles, 11 TFLs, three quarterback sacks, forced a fumble, recovered a fumble and blocked a field goal.

He will continue his academic career at West Virginia University.

Rouse is the son of Reuben Rouse and Stacia Hawkins. He resides in Wheeling.

KAYDEN FORTNEY (Wheeling Park) - A 5-10, 225-pounder, Fortney was a second team all-West Virginia Class AAAA selection on offense and was honorable mention all-OVAC.

He will continue his academic and athletic careers at Wheeling University.

Fortney is the son of David Fortney and Kristen Hanasky. He resides in Wheeling.

CONNER RAY (Brooke) - This 6-foot, 230-pounder lettered three years in football, four in track and two in wrestling for the Bruins.

He served as team captain of the football team as a senior under head coach Frank Sisinni.

Ray will attend West Virginia University.

He is the son of Chris and Karen Ray. They reside in Follansbee.

ELIJAH LANIGAN (Brooke) - A 6-3, 205-pounder, he ranked in the Top 10 of his graduating class.

He will attend Robert Morris University and major in Actuarial Science.

Lanigan is the son of Michael and Natalie Lanigan and Josh and Sara Roark. He resides in Follansbee.

KAMERON HEBROCK (Oak Glen) - This 6-3, 235-pounder, Hebrock was a four-year lettermen for the Golden Bears and head coach T.J. Miller.

As a senior, he charted 74 solo tackles and 27 assists. He also accumulated 22 tackles for lost yardage, recorded 13 quarterback sacks and recovered three fumbles.

He earned all-OVAC first team honors, as well as honorable mention all-West Virginia Class AA.

Hebrock will further his academic and athletic careers at West Virginia Wesleyan College.

His father, Ron, played in the 2002 game and his cousin, Dylan Davis, played in 2012.

Hebrock is also the son of Casie Hebrock and resides in Chester.

KAMERON DIETRICH (Wheeling Park) - A 6-5, 192-pounder, Dietrich played primarily along the defensive front for the Patriots and head coach Chris Daugherty.

He logged 55 solo tackles and 96 total stops as a senior. He had a trio of quarterback sacks and two passes defended.

Dietrich is the son of Andy and Brenna Dietrich. They reside in Wheeling.

RYDER HASTINGS (University) - This 5-9, 215-pounder not only excelled on the football field, but the wrestling mat as well for the Hawks.

As a senior for head coach Eric Snyder, he charted 102 total tackles, 28 TFLs, 30 quarterback pressures and 8.5 quarterback sacks. He was second team all-West Virginia Class AAAA.

He was an OVAC Ron Mauck Tournament runnerup at 215 pounds last winter.

Hastings will continue his academic and wrestling careers at Glenville State.

His uncle, Cody Tominack, played in the 2004 game.

He is the son of Mitch and Lindsay Hastings. They reside in Morgantown.

KYLE WILLIAMS (John Marshall) - A 5-9, 230-pounder, Williams played for the Monarchs and head coach Mark Cisar.

He is the son of Frank Williams and Jessica Gowers. He resides in Moundsville.

LUKE WEAR (Wheeling Central) - This 6-6, 260-pounder was an integral part of the Maroon Knights drive to the West Virginia Class A state championship last fall.

He was a second team all-West Virginia Class A selection.

Wear is a fourth generation player, following his uncles, Jeff (1992) and Brent (1997) Wear, along with his cousin, Dawson Wear (2018).

He is the son of Ryan and Amanda Wear. They reside in Wheeling.

JUDE BLAKE (Brooke) - A 6-2, 260-pounder, Blake was a two-year letterman and team captain last fall for the Bruins and head coach Frank Sisinni.

He will attend West Liberty.

Blake has a long history of involvement with the game as his uncles, Jake Lilly (2010), John Anderson (1997), Ernie Anderson (1981) and Dave Lilly (1967) previously played in the game.

He is the son of Nathan Blake and Jennifer Robinson and resides in Wellsburg.

HUNTER ANTOL (Weir) - This 6-0, 225-pounder started 20 games during his three-year career.

He will attend West Virginia University.

Antol is the son of Rick and Cindy Antol. He resides in Weirton.

TROY MORTAKIS (Wheeling Central) - A 6-2, 240-pounder, Mortakis was huge along both lines as the Maroon Knights stormed to the West Virginia Class A state championship last fall.

He will continue his academic and athletic careers at Wheeling University.

Mortakis is the son of Mike and Jen Chiazza. He resides in Wheeling.

LIAM WALDECK (Wheeling Park) - This 6-2, 230-pounder also excelled in track and field for the Patriots.

He recorded tons of pancake blocks and allowed just one sack in two seasons.

He was first team all-Valley under head coach Chris Daugherty.

Waldeck will further his academic and athletic careers at West Liberty University as a member of the men's track and field program.

He is the son of Derek Waldeck, Nathan and Yolanda Blake. He resides in Wheeling.