In an open public community vote, Weirton Madonna’s Ross Comis and Shadyside’s Chase Kinemond were selected as Ohio Valley Athletics’ high school football players of the year. With nearly 4000 votes turned in, the two stellar single callers finished in a tie, both accumulating an amazing 1354 votes each.
Official Voting Results
Chase Kinemond led the Shadyside Tigers to a perfect 10-0 regular season. Coming off a season ending ACL injury the year before, Kinemond was Mr. Everything for the Tigers in his senior campaign, accounting for nearly 1,400 yards and 22 touchdowns. 1,010 of those yards came in the air, where the senior quarterback completed 64% of his passes for 17 touchdowns with only 3 interceptions. On the ground, Kinemond grounded out 377 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Ross Comis led Weirton Madonna to a nearly perfect 9-1 regular season record. Only a junior, Comis racked up more than 2,200 yards for the Blue Dons. From his quarterback position, Comis completed 65% of his passes for 982 yards, 13 touchdowns, and only 3 interceptions. As a duel threat, Comis tallied up 1,277 yards rushing for 20 touchdowns, averaging 9 yards per carry.
I was able to sit down with both Chase and Ross for a short Q/A session.
Question: What were your thoughts when you found out that you were a participant for the Player of the Year voting?
Kinemond: I was surprised when I found out I was up for it. It was exciting to see so many people vote for me, especially considering there were so many deserving people up for it.
Comis: I was very excited. I was honored to be in the company of so many great athletes around the Ohio Valley.
Question: Chase, you were coming off a serious knee injury from last year, what did this season mean to you?
Kinemond: When I went down last year I knew something was very wrong with my knee. I found out that I tore my ACL and I knew it was going to take a lot of work, it was a bad injury. I worked hard in the off season getting back in shape and rehabbing. Coming into my senior year I wasn’t going to let that stop me, being my last year to play I went out there and gave it everything I had, every play.
Question: Ross, over the past several years Weirton Madonna has had some success on the football field, winning a State Championship in 2009, and State runner up in 2008. What does it mean to you to be part of that tradition?
Comis: It means a lot that I am given the opportunity to carry on a tradition that guys like my brother Louie, Max Nogay, and Connor Arlia started.
Question: Is there a game or particular play that sticks out the most from this year?
Kinemond: Linsly was a fun game, and I feel like me and my team played one of our better games. It was our homecoming, and I ended up getting athlete of the week for my effort in the game.
Comis: The Steubenville Central game. We had to came back from a 20-7 deficit in the 4th quarter and scored with 30 seconds to take the lead.
Question: Chase, what will you miss the most about high school football?
Kinemond: I’ll miss all the memories, my friends, the coaches, fans, band playing and ringing that victory bell at the end of a game!
Question: Ross, what were your expectations coming into this season?
Comis: My expectations were very high. We had a lot of athletes and leadership coming back from last year and everyone was entering the season healthy.
Question: What advice do you have for other student/athletes around the Ohio Valley?
Kinemond: Remember every moment and do everything you can to the best of your ability! Don’t let up because these are your high school memories and you can’t get this back. This time will fly bye.
Comis: My advice is to just keep working hard. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t succeed in your dreams, you can do anything you put your mind to.
On behalf of Ohio Valley Athletics, congratulations to both Ross and Chase for being named our Player of the Year, and thank you to everyone who took the time to vote!
