In the 51st annual East-West high school football all-star game, presented by the Greater Cleveland Football Coaches Association, Geauga County was represented by Chagrin Falls wide receiver Jackson Beavers.
In the 51st annual East-West high school football all-star game, presented by the Greater Cleveland Football Coaches Association, Geauga County was represented by Chagrin Falls wide receiver Jackson Beavers.
Also, Chagrin Falls Head Coach John Scott was selected to coach the East team; he was assisted by Chagrin Falls assistant coaches Adam Lesko and Bryan Kelly.
Scott was no stranger to this game; he played it back in 1994 before heading to Miami University, where he was a place kicker for the Redhawks.
After college football, Scott entered the teaching and coaching profession. He served as a long-time assistant coach at Chagrin Falls first under Head coach Mark Iammarino, then took the reins as head coach in 2021.
After the game, Coach Scott discussed the importance of the all-star game experience for the players, and emphasized that being an all-star was not really about the actual game.
“It’s a great experience,” Coach Scott said. “Really, it’s not about the game that was just played. It’s about everything that led up to the game, and what we can do for these kids.
“Seeing these kids come together, as if they have been spending the last four years of high school with one another, (is meaningful). I told them after, that I hope you develop relationships (with their all-star teammates and keep them through social media). And hopefully they continue to build on the relationships that we started.”
Beavers, who will continue his football career at Ohio Wesleyan University, followed Coach Scott’s advice and enjoyed the experience of playing and making new friends.
“Being selected as an all-star felt really good,” he said. “I was really excited to meet some guys and play this game. We had some practices together, and really got to know each other. I made some good friends.
“The coaches really made this a good experience, and I was really excited to play the game. We went out there and competed. We didn’t get what we wanted, but had a great time.”
Beavers also reflected on his career as a football player for Chagrin Falls.
“I started in sixth grade for football at Chagrin and continued through my years,” he said. “My senior year, I had a great year and I played wide receiver. I am planning to go to Ohio Wesleyan for football and I’m really excited to get started over there.”
For his part, Assistant Coach Lesko also discussed the opportunity to coach Beavers one last time.
“It’s always special to be on the same field as a player again, one more time,” Lesko said. “(It’s special) coaching Jackson his whole high school career, and seeing him grow from a ninth-grader to now being a senior and going off to college.”
Geauga County football will next be represented June 16 at The News Herald Senior Bowl on at Willoughby South High School.
