by Friday’s Greater Cleveland Conference matchup between Cleveland Heights and host Strongsville has many intriguing aspects to it, starting with the return last week of Marquise Davis. But more on that later.
First, let’s deal with another aspect that may be overlooked by some—both teams are coached by former NFL players. In his 10th season at Cleveland Heights, Mac Stephens was an NFL linebacker for two seasons, one each with the Jets and the Vikings. Strongsville’s Jason Trusnik, in his first season as a high school coach, spent nine years in the NFL, playing linebacker and special teams for six teams, including the Browns.
While this is something of a rare occasion, it certainly isn’t unprecedented. In fact, just last year Stephens coached against former NFL running back Tony Fisher, as the Euclid athletic director stepped in to coach his alma mater’s final eight games of the season.
When asked what effect a former pro football player can have on a high school program as its head coach, Stephens replied, “Not a whole lot, really. Obviously, we can bring a different perspective into what it takes to be successful, but the bottom line is that the kids have to execute whatever scheme it is that you’re trying to teach them.”
Trusnik says he knows of other NFL players who are now coaching high school teams, but he said it certainly isn’t common.
“I would say there’s not a huge number of former NFL players who coach high school, but I know some who are coaching, whether it’s positionally or as a head coach,” he said. “At the end of the day, it depends on what your passion is and what you want to do in life. For me, coaching and teaching is a passion of mine and then you put football behind it. That’s why I got involved with it.”
Like Stephens, Trusnik believes that someone who has played football as a professional can use that experience to help shape a high school program.
“Obviously, you played the game at the highest level,” Trusnik said. “Ultimately, if you play sports, then that’s something that you want to do, no matter what the sport is. You played under probably great coaches. You’ve seen the game at the highest level, and you’ve been taught it in a certain way. I think that would be what you bring to the high school game.”
Thus far, the reviews are mixed as far as the Mustangs are concerned. Trusnik said he is happy with the growth of the program to date, but there still is a long way to go. Entering the game with Cleveland Heights, Strongsville is 2-3, with the three losses by a total of 17 points. The Mustangs have fallen to Avon Lake, Solon and Benedictine and have defeated Berea-Midpark and Euclid.
“I told the kids that we are what our record says we are,” Trusnik said. “We could sit here and say Strongsville football could be 4-1 or whatever the record may be, but we’re a 2-3 team because that’s what our record says we are. But, for a team that’s learning a new offense, a new defense and moving in a way that I’m trying to move the culture and the way we play, I feel like each week we’re taking strides and learning a little bit more. We had a couple bumps in the road early. I wouldn’t say we’re a young team, but we’re a new team that is figuring out exactly who we are.”
It’s a journey that Stephens made when he first took over at Cleveland Heights.
“It’s tough as a first-year coach because you’re trying to establish a different mindset, change the culture and trying to figure out all the parts and pieces that go into making a successful program,” Stephens said. “I’m sure that’s part of what he’s going through right now. But, looking at them on film, they have some talented players, and they seem to be moving in the right direction in my opinion.”
At the top of the list of talented Strongsville players is linebacker Storm Miller, a junior who is the younger brother of Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller and is being recruited by several Division I schools. Strongsville also has senior Nolan Beard returning at quarterback with a veteran offensive line in front of him.
“On film they have some very impressive players and some guys who are capable of making some bigtime plays,” Stephens said. “To us, it’s just another opponent on our schedule that’s, to be quite honest, a good football team. Sometimes you have to throw the record out the window and just evaluate the talent that you see on film. They’re pretty good. They’re going to be a good football team by the time the postseason kicks in and they’re going to make a lot of noise.”
The Tigers, also 2-3, counter with several players being recruited to play collegiately, led by Davis, a Kentucky commit who was the runner-up for the Ohio Mr. Football award last year after rushing for better than 2,200 yards and scoring 35 touchdowns. Davis didn’t see much action in his team’s first four games, causing some rumors to be circulated. But he was back in action in last week’s 35-27 loss to Mentor, rushing for 335 yards and two touchdowns on 33 carries.
“Unfortunately, everyone has made some pretty crazy assumptions, but he’s been hurt,” Stephens said. “He’s treated like any other high school player. If he’s injured, he’s not going to play, and that’s what’s been happening. We’ve had six starters out, but everyone only focuses on Marquise, for obvious reasons. If the kid’s not healthy, it’s not very smart to throw him out there to the wolves, so to speak. He got healthy last week so he played.”
The timing of Davis’ return to action was not the best news for the Mustangs.
“That’s as expected,” Trusnik said. “He resurfaced, and I’m not sure where that all came from. But you have to be ready for him. He’s a game-changer. He’s being recruited to play Division I at the next level, so you have to control him and limit him and know where he’s at on the field at all times.”
Cleveland Heights also has big time players such as Miami of Ohio commit Jameil Hamm at defensive end and Minnesota recruit Jay’Quan Stubbs on the interior of the defensive line. While Davis was hurt, freshman Elijah Harris demonstrated outstanding ability as a ball carrier. Cornerback Henry Perrymond, Jr. also is receiving offers from Power Four schools. All that talent gives the Strongsville coaching staff a lot to think about.
“From a defensive mindset, you’re going to have to control Davis when he’s on the field,” Trusnik said. “They obviously have other playmakers, and at the end of the day, in my mind, knowing where their playmakers are is going to be key. We also need to eliminate the errors and do what Strongsville football has set out to do and that’s play a complete game. When we’ve hit on all cylinders, we’ve played some great football. That’s going to be important for us.”
Stephens is taking the approach that his team needs to focus more on itself rather than the opponent.
“I just think our kids need to do the things they’ve been coached to do,” he said. “We have to get healthy. It’s tough. We played the last four games without anywhere from six to seven starters every game. Obviously, when Marquise wasn’t in there it really made a difference. But he came back against Mentor, and he played pretty well. I think as long as we keep doing the things we’ve been doing, we’ll be fine.”
Magill’s pick: Cleveland Heights. While Trusnik certainly seems to be building something at Strongsville, it’s time for the Tigers to get healthy and start their push toward another deep postseason run.
