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Blocking of Aurora's talented senior helps Greenmen get to state
By Jonas Fortune
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Thursday, Nov 27, 2008
AURORA: It has been a whirlwind week for the Aurora High football team. Clinching a spot in its first Division III state championship game quickly can do that to a school.
The Greenmen (11-2) will play in their first state-championship game Saturday, when they meet Columbus Eastmoor Academy (12-1) at 11 a.m. at Fawcett Stadium in Canton.
Just as unsuspecting as the Greenmen were for a surprise title run, their mammoth star, senior Adam Bellamy, is every bit the same.
''He is just a humble, quiet, unassuming young man,'' Aurora coach Bob Mihalik said. ''We can call him Opie Taylor.''
That's off the field, though.
On the field, the two-way lineman bares little resemblance to The Andy Griffith Show character. His red hair — sitting atop his 6-foot-4, 285-pound frame — is hidden underneath his helmet, after all.
The play of Bellamy is no secret to area football fans, though. He has drawn plenty of attention from universities requesting his future services. Before accepting a scholarship to play for Ohio State next season, Bellamy, who also is an excellent student, had drawn offers from 24 schools, including Michigan and Notre Dame.
''The problem was I had all these great schools and I didn't know where to choose,'' Bellamy said.
''The offer from Ohio State made it that much easier, being close to home and the top of the Big Ten. I just jumped on it right away. I don't think I'll regret that decision.''
In last weekend's state semifinal win over Big Walnut, the defending Division III champion, Aurora found gaping holes behind Bellamy, its left tackle. The results stand out: 236 rushing yards in the game, and the Greenmen's first trip to a state-title game.
''We are not going to try to outsmart ourselves,'' Mihalik said. ''If we need a big play on third down, we are going to run behind Adam. It's a nice comfort zone knowing that you have that.''
It doesn't hurt to have an undersized back, who can cut at full speed behind him, either. Senior Steven Yung — at5-7, 165 — accumulated more than 1,500 yards and 24 touchdowns this season, a benefactor of his own special talents and Bellamy's huge presence on the line.
''Some people can't even see me when I hide behind him. I just put my hand on his back and go behind his block,'' Yung said.
It isn't just Bellamy's size
that has aided Aurora so greatly. Bellamy is an excellent athlete who has great footwork and can run a 40-yard dash in 4.8 seconds, Mihalik said. He refers to Bellamy as the most talented kid he has coached in his 19 years of experience.
''It is almost a freak of nature that kid is that big and strong and can move the way he can,'' Mihalik said.
For all the skill he has brought to the offensive line, Bellamy is just as talented, if not more, along the defensive front. Ohio State actually recruited Bellamy as a defensive player. Of his 80 tackles this season, 14 of them have been for a loss of yardage. He also leads the team with five sacks.
''I have a little more fun, kind of going crazy on defense,'' Bellamy said.
Jonas Fortune can be reached at jfortune@thebeaconjournal.com.
AURORA: It has been a whirlwind week for the Aurora High football team. Clinching a spot in its first Division III state championship game quickly can do that to a school.
Get the full article here.
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