‘It was an eye-opener:’ Moeller senior football player reflects as he commits to Mt. Union

Moeller’s athletic signing class for February, 2024, from left: Ethan Page (football, Lake Erie College), Kyler Paul (football, Dayton), Preston Smith (football, Mount Union), Nick Monahan (football, Bryant), Talan DeBruler (lacrosse, Mercyhurst), Brennen Hickey (lacrosse, Cleveland State), Noah Smith (Belmont Abbey College, lacrosse).

Anyone who was at Piqua High School’s Alexander Stadium Nov. 25 had reason to be worried about Preston Smith’s future.

The Moeller High School senior was motionless on the ground after a hard tackle left him short of the goal line on the last play of the game, a contest Moeller lost in a state semifinal playoff.

Smith was strapped to a backboard and taken to a local hospital as the stadium went silent. But as it turned out, there were no serious injuries and those measures were precautionary. Smith said he was recovered and back on his feet a couple of days later.

“It was just a couple of days where I still felt stuff,” he said. “Just staying off screens, taking time to myself, keep quiet. It was a good time to find my real stuff.”

More: ‘Defense travels:’ Family pedigree, defense lead Moeller basketball to 19-1 record

Smith secured his football future Thursday, committing to play football for Mount Union. He took part in a signing ceremony with three football teammates and three lacrosse players in front of a large crowd in the gymnasium.

Preston Smith was a key receiver for Moeller this season and will play for NCAA Division III power Mount Union.

Mount Union is an NCAA Division III football powerhouse in northeastern Ohio. The Raiders were 11-1 this past season, winning a conference championship for the seventh straight season and 34th all-time. Mount Union has 13 Division III national championships.

Smith visited Mount Union in the fall but didn’t commit to the program…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/eye-opener-moeller-senior-football-203243793.html

Author : Cincinnati.com | The Enquirer

Publish date : 2024-02-09 20:32:43

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