Colton McKivitz is still relatively new to the game of football.

Yes, he played and lettered three years at Union Local and earned first-team all-Ohio as a senior.

But, that is the extent of the organized, tackle football that he played because prior to arriving at UL as a sophomore, he played at East Richland Christian.

McKivitz, however, is making his presence felt at the major college level.

After signing with West Virginia University last February, McKivitz reported in June and has been making a name for himself ever since. He especially caught the eye of the coaching staff in the week leading up to the Oklahoma State game.

Mountaineers head coach Dana Holgorsen named McKivitz as the top scout team performer.

On his weekly radio show, Holgorsen said, “He was a 6-ft-7 , 225-pound basketball player in high school. He’s already up to 265 pounds, just works his tail off. He’s been, without a doubt, our best offensive lineman on our scout team.”

The Mountaineers’ offensive line is coached by West Liberty State College grad Ron Crook.

Holgorsen went on to say, “our coaches came in and said this guy has a chance to be our right tackle next year. He’s going to be 6-7, 300 pounds by the time spring happens. I’m excited about him.”

The Ohio Valley presence at WVU next year will also include St. Clairsville graduate Michael Ferns, who is sitting out this season after transferring from Michigan.

Meadowbrook senior Josh Sills has already committed to the Mountaineers. St. Clairsville senior Brendan Ferns has the Mountaineers in his top two – along with Penn State.

DIVISION I – FBS

DAN MONTEROSO, Purdue – St. Clairsville graduate played in last week’s 41-13 loss to Minnesota.

NAJEE MURRAY, Kent State – Steubenville graduate posted nine tackles in a loss to Toledo.

JERRID MARHEFKA, Ohio – St. Clairsville product appeared in the Bobcats’ win against Miami of Ohio last Saturday.

SHAQ PETTEWAY, West Virginia – Steubenville graduate finished with a team-high eight tackles, including six solos. He also had a pass break up and a quarterback hurry in the Mountaineers’ loss to Oklahoma State. He actually left the game for a few minutes with a knee injury.

ROSS COMIS, Massachusetts – Madonna graduate saw action at quarterback last week in a 62-38 loss to Bowling Green. He completed 3-of-5 passes for 77 yards and a touchdown.

CONNOR ARLIA, Kent State – Madonna graduate played in the Golden Flashes loss to Toledo last week.

DIVISION I – FCS

AKIL BLOUNT, Florida A&M – Linsly School product posted six tackles in the Rattlers’ loss to Savannah State.

MARK DODD, Lafayette – Linsly School graduate recorded four tackles in a loss to Georgetown.

DIVISION II

JESSE STOUDT, Tiffin – Barnesville product was in on six tackles in last week’s victory against Ferris State. For the season, he has 21 tackles and a sack.

MATT KINNICK, West Virginia State – St. Clairsville graduate completed 35-of-55 passes for 370 yards and 2 touchdowns in last week’s win. Included was the game-winning touchdown pass with 55 seconds remaining.

COREY ERNEST, West Liberty – St. Clairsville product started once again at left guard for the Hilltoppers.

COLE STEPHEN, West Liberty – St. Clairsville graduate posted a tackle for the Hilltoppers last week.

MARCUS SCHUMACHER, West Liberty – Monroe Central graduate was in on four tackles from his linebacker spot for the Hilltoppers.

DAREE GOODWIN, West Liberty – Wheeling Park product caught 6 passes for 155 yards and a touchdown in last week’s victory.

STEPHEN ROGALSKI, West Virginia Wesleyan – Magnolia product caught 1 pass for 27 yards in last week’s setback.

TANNER WRIGHT, Glenville State – River product punted six times for 212 yards, which is a 35.3 yard average. He did drop two inside the 20.

ZACH PHILLIPS, Gannon – Wheeling Park grad saw time last week and rushed once for 5 yards.

GEREMY PAIGE, Gannon – Wheeling Park grad appeared in the team’s victory against Mercyhurst.

DIVISION III

DALTON SECHREST, Marietta – Beallsville grad posted eight tackles, including one for loss in the Pioneers’ loss to Baldwin-Wallace.

JACOB CLARK, Muskingum – Shadyside High grad started once again at left guard for the Muskies, who are still seeking their initial victory.

JONATHAN CARLIER, Waynesburg – Martins Ferry grad appeared in the Yellow Jackets’ loss to Case Western.

LESHAWN LUKE, Mt. Union – Steubenville graduate posted one tackle in the Purple Raiders’ win.

DASHON REDMAN, Mt. Union – Steubenville grad was charted for two tackles in last week’s Purple Raiders’ victory.

MIKE FURDA, Mt. Union – Indian Creek graduate posted four tackles and 1.5 sacks in last week’s victory.

NICK ASTURI, Muskingum – River product played in the Muskies’ loss to Heidelberg.

BRETT ROSEN, Muskingum – River graduate posted 3 tackles in a loss to Heidelberg.

DAULTON FREEMAN, Bethany – St. Clairsville graduate made his debut with the Bison one to remember. He picked off his first pass and recorded five tackles.

CROSS COUNTRY

HANNAH SURFACE, Alderson-Broaddus – East Richland Christian graduate ran a 24:47 to finish 30th at Slippery Rock.

JAMIE TRUCHAN, West Liberty – Martins Ferry graduate finished 100th in a field of more than 220 competitors with a 22:39 last weekend.

KELSEY CHAMBERS, Wheeling Jesuit – Oak Glen graduate was sixth in 23:31 to lead the Cardinals at Slippery Rock.

FALLON DOYLE, Wheeling Jesuit – St. John Central grad was 14th in the meet with a time of 24:16.

ALBERT SCHRIMP, Wheeling Jesuit – Wheeling Park product finished in 26:37, which was good enough for eighth place at Slippery Rock.

LEAH FIGURSKI, West Liberty – Buckeye Local grad finished 76th to lead the Hilltoppers last weekend in a time of 21:27.

GOLF

ADAM JEFFRIES, Alderson-Broaddus – St. Clairsville grad finished the Midwest Regional with a two-day score of 158. He also posted an eagle during the tournament, holing out from 111 yards away.

SETH VANNOY, Alderson-Broaddus – St. Clairsville grad posted a two-day score of 165 in the Midwest Regional.

ZACH KEYLOR, Walsh – St. Clairsville graduate signed for a two-day score of 169 in the Midwest Regional.

KAITLYN BLISS, West Liberty – Martins Ferry graduate finished 10th in the Mountain East Conference Championship tournament.

WOMEN’S TENNIS

OLIVIA MYERS, Western Michigan – Belmont native finished the Western Michigan Bronco Invitational with a 1-1 record.

SWIMMING

KATELYN CURNES, Wheeling Jesuit – Wheeling Park graduate finished 13th in the 200 free and 16th in the 200 breaststroke at the West Virginia State Games at WVU last weekend.

IF YOU’RE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

If you’re heading to Columbus Saturday for the Ohio State and Penn State game, the wrestling team is holding an open practice outside of St. John Arena. The mats will be down and the Buckeyes’ grapplers, which are the defending national champions, will be going through their drills.

St. Clairsville graduate Dominic Prezzia is a red-shirt sophomore for the Buckeyes’ wrestlers and expected to make a push for their lineup this season. Prezzia was a state runnerup at 152 pounds as a senior and began his collegiate career at West Virginia.

Staskey can be reached via email at sstaskey@timesleaderonline.com