Marcus Schumacher wasn’t highly recruited out of Monroe Central High School.

The 2011 graduate made a decision to give West Liberty, which showed the most interest, a chance. After all, it is the alma mater of his father, Andy, who was a football player for the Hilltoppers, too.

After red-shirting his freshman season, Schumacher has been on the fast track up the defensive depth chart since 2012.

“It’s really rewarding,” Schumacher said during a phone interview earlier this week. “I never really thought it would happen, in a way. I’ve been working my way into (the lineup) a little more each year and now it’s nice to be a contributing member of the team.”

Schumacher is the starting ‘SAM’ linebacker for the Hilltoppers and enjoyed one of his finest performances to date in last week’s 38-16 victory against West Virginia State.

The former Seminole standout was in on 10 tackles, which ranked second on the squad last week. He had seven solos and a sack of 7 yards.

Not a bad day’s work. But, Schumacher wasn’t totally pleased by it, either.

“I feel like I am my biggest critic,” Schumacher said. “Ten tackles isn’t enough. But, give credit to the defensive line for allowing me, and the other linebackers, to get up there and make some plays. We have to continue to do that and get better.”

For the season, Schumacher ranks second on the Toppers with 27 tackles. His two sacks are a team high. He’s also broken up a pass.

“I think each week we’re getting better and better,” Schumacher said. “We’re working out the kinks we had in the first game and it’s starting to come along a lot better. We’ve been practicing with a lot of energy.”

Schumacher and the rest of the Hilltoppers’ defense are preparing for a Concord team that’s averaging 48 points and 563 yards a week.

“They’re a really good team,” Schumacher said. “They have a lot of athletes. We feel like we’ve got a gameplan to slow down their offensive attack. We know the schedule is going to get tougher. We just have to keep working and take it one game at a time.”

Here’s a look at how other Ohio Valley products fared last week:

Division I FBS

DAN MONTEROSO, the St. Clairsville graduate, wasn’t listed on the participation chart for last week’s Purdue victory. He is, however, listed on the Boilermakers’ depth chart for Saturday’s game against Iowa.

SHAQ PETTEWAY, the Steubenville product, recorded one solo tackle for West Virginia in its loss to Oklahoma.

NAJEE MURRAY, a Steubenville High graduate, and his Kent State teammates had the weekend off. They play at Virginia this week.

DWIGHT MACON, another Steubenville product, caught 2 passes for 18 yards in Toledo’s win against Ball State. The Rockets host Central Michigan Saturday night.

JERRID MARHEFKA, a St. C. graduate, didn’t appear in Ohio University’s win against Idaho last week.

Division I FCS

JAYLON BROWN, another St. C. product, played on special teams for Youngstown State last week in a 55-23 win against St. Francis (Pa.). The Penguins are off this week and travel to Missouri State next weekend.

MARK DODD, a Linsly School graduate, produced four tackles from his linebacker spot in Lafayette’s 33-19 loss to William & Mary.

AKIL BLOUNT, another Linsly School product, had two tackles for Florida A&M in its 48-3 loss to Coastal Carolina.

MARCUS PRATHER, a Steubenville High graduate, played in Robert Morris’ loss to Dayton.

Division II

MATT KINNICK, a St. Clairsville graduate, made his third consecutive start for West Virginia State at quarterback. In the loss to West Liberty, he completed 23-of-39 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns.

DYLAN POTTS, a River High School graduate, caught four passes for 71 yards and a touchdown in the Hilltoppers’ win against W.Va. State. He also had 40 yards in returns.

MARCO RICCHETTI, a Martins Ferry product, played in the Hilltoppers’ win against West Virginia State.

COREY ERNEST, a St. Clairsville graduate, made his third consecutive start at offensive guard for West Liberty.

COLE STEPHEN, a St. Clairsville product, was charted for one tackle in West Liberty’s win against West Virginia State.

KOREY LAFFERRE, a Monroe Central graduate, was credited with two tackles in West Liberty’s win against West Virginia State. He’s the Hilltoppers’ long snapper.

JOSH GORDON, the Wheeling Central grad, handled all kickoff duties for the Hilltoppers last week, averaging 53.7 yards per kick.

ZACH MUSILLI, the St. Clairsville graduate, connected on five point after touchdown kicks for the Hilltoppers.

CHRIS STEPHENS, the Linsly School graduate, had one tackle in Alderson-Broaddus’ loss to St. Joseph’s of Indiana.

STEPHEN ROGALSKI, the Magnolia High product, caught five passes for 98 yards in West Virginia Wesleyan’s 47-44 loss to Notre Dame College.

TANNER WRIGHT, the River High graduate, appeared in last week’s Glenville State loss to Fairmont State.

BRANKO BUSICK, the Steubenville High product and West Virginia University transfer, had five tackles and a pass defense for California of Pennslyvania’s game last week.

Division III

DALTON SECHREST, the 2014 Beallsville graduate, continued to make an impact on defense for Marietta College. He had four solo tackles, two assists and forced two fumbles in the Pioneers’ loss at Otterbein. Marietta treks to Mt. Union this week.

BRYSON STEPHEN, the Barnesville High product, caught one pass for 20 yards in Muskingum’s loss to Mt. Union.

JACOB CLARK, the Shadyside High graduate, got the start at offensive guard for Muskingum in its loss to the Purple Raiders.

BERNIE THOMPSON, the Union Local product, caught nine passes for 90 yards and a 13-yard touchdown in Waynesburg’s overtime victory. He also had five returns for 47 yards. Waynesburg visits Bethany on Saturday.

JOSH TOLLIVER, the Bellaire High product, was impressive at defensive end. He had four tackles, two for loss and a sack for Waynesburg.

JONATHAN CARLIER, the Martins Ferry graduate, appeared for Waynesburg in its overtime victory last week.

AMOS LEACH, the Union Local graduate, also played in Waynesburg’s win.

BLAKE ROAR, the Indian Creek product, was listed on the participation chart for Waynesburg last week.

STEVE SABLE, the Buckeye Local graduate, didn’t appear in Muskingum’s game against Mt. Union, but he did perform one of the most noble deeds of the weekend. He changed his number to 73 to honor his cousin, Logan Barsch. Barsch is the Buckeye Local offensive lineman injured in an automobile accident earlier this month.

LESHAWN LUKE, the Steubenville High graduate, had four solos, an assist, a forced fumble and a tackle for loss from his starting linebacker post for Mt. Union.

ZACH HERRINGTON, the Steubenville Central product, had two solos and an assisted tackle for Mt. Union.

DASHON REDMAN, another Steubenville graduate, posted three tackles and a pass breakup for Mt. Union.

BRENT WALTON, who is a Pickerington Central graduate, is the leading rusher at Capital with 537 yards and six touchdowns. He’s leading the Ohio Athletic Conference with 196.5 rushing yards per game. Brent is the son of Magnolia graduate Brian Walton (Class of 87) and St. Clairsville graduate Missy (Schau) Walton, who is a Class of 88 grad. His grandparents still reside in St. Clairsville.

Cross Country

ANDY THORNBURG, a former St. Clairsville all-stater, was the top finisher for UNC-Asheville at the school’s home meet held last weekend. He ran 26 minutes, 3 seconds to finish 16th overall.

HANNAH SURFACE, an East Richland Christian graduate, was 11th at the St. Vincent College Invitational, running for Alderson-Broaddus. She was second on her team in 20 minutes, 51 seconds.

Golf

CHECK OUT Sunday’s Off The Tee for an update on area golfers, who are currently playing at the collegiate level

Soccer

CARLEE GILLESPIE, the St. Clairsville graduate, has appeared in five of six games for West Liberty thus far.

Note

If you’re aware of someone with Ohio Valley ties that’s playing a fall college sport, please feel free to email me at sstaskey@timesleaderonline.com