BEST LINEBACKERS PAST 25 Years

[Run Bubba Run]

Bringdanoise listed two of the finest LB that Vinton County has had down through the years, but I could add some others for consideration.

Tim Hale and Shawn Avery are two that come to mind. To me however, I would start with Bob Mullins in the late 80's. He might not have been the best technically and artistically, but IMHO he was by far the most feared linebacker that VC has ever put on the field. If Bob got to the runner, he was going to take a real lick and feel it the next day for sure.

[FarAwayFalcon]

The three Slone brothers from Minford, Matt, Luke, and I think Mark will be very good for the Falcons this year.

[Poo Bear]

V.C. fans, dont forget Ricky Patton. TVC defensive MVP, on a 10-0 team. He somehow flies under the radar. 160 lbs and hit like he was 230lbs.

[Run Bubba Run]

Viking 96,

Rick surely was a hitter and a completely unselfish "what can I do for the team" kind of guy.

Another undersized "hitter" would be another Hamden guy. That would be Mike Claar. He was one of the big hitters out of the secondary for the Vikings. I have always considered him to be the best punt returner we ever had. He would field any punt that got near him and return it up the field running N and S and not E and W.

[Poo Bear]

Viking 96,

Rick surely was a hitter and a completely unselfish "what can I do for the team" kind of guy.

Another undersized "hitter" would be another Hamden guy. That would be Mike Claar. He was one of the big hitters out of the secondary for the Vikings. I have always considered him to be the best punt returner we ever had. He would field any punt that got near him and return it up the field running N and S and not E and W.

Totally agree. Mike Claar is extemely underated when people talk about the best in VC history, he was a stud his senior year for VC. He was also TVC MVP, and a TVC champion. Mike and Rick both deserve to be in the Vinton County hall of fame. Also may as well mention Mike's lil bro Adam. Hes was 150lbs and 149 of it was heart. Cant beat a good ol Hamden boy!! Hamden Hornets baby!!

[Run Bubba Run]

Viking 96,

Mike was All-TVC Ohio as a senior, but was not TVC MVP. Todd Braden was the TVC Ohio Player of the Year 1n 1996. Mike was All-SE District (1st team) and Special Mention All-Ohio that year.

By the way, who are the Hamden Hornets? I remember the Hamden Engineers but do not recall the Hornets unless it was the school mascot when the Vinton County school district sent the 7th and 8th graders back to their home school for a few years.

There have been a lot of very good athletes out of Hamden down through the years and no one can doubt that assessment. Go Vikes!

[Poo Bear]

Viking 96,

Mike was All-TVC Ohio as a senior, but was not TVC MVP. Todd Braden was the TVC Ohio Player of the Year 1n 1996. Mike was All-SE District (1st team) and Special Mention All-Ohio that year.

By the way, who are the Hamden Hornets? I remember the Hamden Engineers but do not recall the Hornets unless it was the school mascot when the Vinton County school district sent the 7th and 8th graders back to their home school for a few years.

There have been a lot of very good athletes out of Hamden down through the years and no one can doubt that assessment. Go Vikes!

Run Bubba Run, I am pretty sure that Mike Claar and Todd braden were Co MVP's that year. Lets get some clarification on that. I may be wrong but im 99.9% sure those two were co mvps.

[Run Bubba Run]

Viking96,

Todd was a co-MVP in 1996, but not with Mike. The other Co-MVP of the TVC was Adam Barrett from Meigs who was the Defensive POY in 1995 as a junior.

If you want to check it out, check out the 11/19/96 article in the Athens Messenger. It is on microfilm at Ohio U. I have a copy in front of me right now. I really liked Mike when he played, but he was not the MVP. Trust me.

Perhaps you are confusing the TVC MVP award with the Vinton County team MVP. Mike and Todd (both gained over 1000 yds that season) were both honored as TEAM offensive MVP's.

[sneake-pete]

would have to say ADAM TATE from federal hocking could hold his own with anyone

[Ironman92]

TJ Turner

Started at Mich St as a frosh and was the player who stopped OSU on 4th and 1 late in the game in 1997 to seal the upset of the #1 Buckeyes.....and the National Championship


Was a backup LB for the Patriots their 1st SB year (his rookie year)....but he had some troubles and was released/dismissed

[55buckeyes98]

Tate was a very good player with size and speed, but I am not sure if he's at the top of the list. Where did he end up going to college?

[teach123]

In the 80's when Belpre went 10-0 back to back, they had some great linebackers in Chris Mayle, Jay Lockhart and Nate Carr.

[schenk11]

Marietta

Jeff Smith '90 first team all-ohio
Tyler Kelly '02 second team all-ohio

[avalanche]

Zeb Best- Chesapeake 3rd Team All-State, Glenville State University. Started as a freshmen.

[X8XOHIOLEGENDX7X]

Every 1 has forgotten a beast from wellston named lance phillips....

[bigbluedad]

In the 80's when Belpre went 10-0 back to back, they had some great linebackers in Chris Mayle, Jay Lockhart and Nate Carr.

I'll second this one as I should know as I played at Belpre with all three of these guys, the only sad part is that we have already lost Jay Lockhart about 3 years ago to a possible heart problem. Nate Carr is still in the Belpre area, not sure about Chris Mayle.If I remember right Nate played some tight end also.