Every Minute of Football at a High Level
By: Matt Florjancic, Student Staff Writer
BEREA, OHIO -- During a football coaching class, the instructor stated the thinking behind choosing a 4-3 defense. In a 4-3 defense, there are four linemen and three linebackers. The teacher said that a coach usually chooses this defense because of an outstanding middle linebacker. That player on defense for Baldwin-Wallace College is starting junior middle linebacker, Joe George.
George, a 20-year-old native of Massillon, started playing the game of football at an early age.
"I just started watching it on television with my dad when I was about three years old," said George. "He [my dad] put us [my brother and me] in little hutch pads one day in the backyard, and ever since then, I’ve been playing football."
George began his career at Perry High School in Massillon. During his years of wearing the Panther uniform, he was a part of some formable teams.
"My sophomore year, we were 7-3 during the regular season," said George. "[We made it] to the playoffs and ended up losing in the regional finals. "My junior year, we went 12-2," stated George. "We ended up losing in the state semifinals to Solon [High School]."
Massillon, Ohio is well known for its high school football and George loved this type of atmosphere.
"No matter where I would have been, I would have loved the game," said George. "Being able to go to a high school game with 20,000 people at one given game made me like it more."
As his high school career came to a close, George received several individual honors.
"I was first-team All-Federal League," said George. "I was first-team all Stark County and first team Northeast Inland District."
George’s style of play impressed the Yellow Jacket coaching staff.
"On film, we loved his linebacker play," said B-W head coach John Snell. "He’s obviously very physical. He’s a force inside."
B-W coaches also shared interest in him because of the quality of his high school career and his personality.
"He came from a very good high school program," said Snell. "His high school coach spoke very highly of him and when he came on his visit, we really liked him as a young man."
As George moved from the high school to college setting, he noticed differences between the two levels.
"The hardest parts [of the transition] were probably adjusting to being a freshman, not being the big fish anymore, and the speed of the game," said George. "It’s a lot faster."
When it came time to take the field, George was glad to be playing in the games.
"The first time I ran out of that locker room for a varsity game, I was just excited to contribute," said George. "I wanted to win and I thought B-W was the place to do it."
Right away, George’s teammates noticed his strong qualities as a player and a person.
"He’s a really hard worker," said junior outside linebacker Justin Princehorn. "Joe has goals and always sticks to them. He never quits."
By the end of his freshman year, George participated in eight games and tallied 15 solo with 19 assisted tackles and caused a quarterback sack.
Coach Snell was happy with George’s instincts as a player.
"Joe is very intelligent," said Snell. "He’s a great leader. He’s very intense, works extremely hard, and is a physical, hard-nosed football player."
George uses this intelligence and intensity to improve his physical play.
"Mentally, I focus on being better every day," said George. "I work towards that goal."
As George looked to improve his game, he had patterned himself after a role model.
"It’s always been one player -- Chris Spielman. He played at Massillon. Chris wasn’t the biggest or the strongest player, but he had desire. He wanted to be the best and he wasn’t going to stop working hard until people saw him as the best."
During his sophomore campaign, George compiled some staggering numbers. In 12 games, he totaled 102 tackles, including 43 solo stops.
"Joe had a productive season but still has to get better, like all of us do," said Snell. "If he continues to improve, I would hope he would have another solid season."
In addition to his on-the-field performance, George has been consistent in the classroom as a biology and pre-med major. He carries a 3.6 grade point average and is a candidate for Academic All-American honors.
George started the 2004 season well. In the Yellow Jackets first six games, he has 41 tackles, including 20 solo stops and one sack. He has led seventh-ranked B-W to a 6-0 overall and perfect 5-0 Ohio Athletic Conference record entering a 1:30 p.m. showdown tomorrow (Saturday, October 23) against once-beaten and ninth-ranked Capital University at The George Finnie Stadium in Berea.
"This is a big game for us," said George. "Capital is a very good football team, so we will have to be at our best and play at our best to have an opportunity to beat them and stay unbeaten.
I am looking forward to this game," said George. "Capital has one of the best offenses in Division III and that offers our defense a great challange. We hope to meet that challenge head-on."
During the rest of his career, George has many clear goals.
"For the rest of the season, I’d like to go undefeated and I’d like us to win an OAC Championship and try our luck at getting to the Stagg Bowl," said George.
"For the career, more than anything, I’d just like to know that I played as hard as I could every game and there’s nothing that I would regret once I walk off this field."
Following its game versus Capital, the Yellow Jackets will begin preparations to play rival and top-ranked Mount Union College next Saturday (October 30) at Finnie Stadium at 1:30 p.m.
FOR MORE B-W SPORTS INFORMATION, pleae contact B-W Sports Information Director Kevin Ruple by telephone at 440-826-2327, by FAX machine at 440-826-2329 or via e-mail at kruple@bw.edu.
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