THORNVILLE – Paul Culver has earned a restful retirement.

After coaching prep football for 44 years, the Ohio legend has opted to call it a career. And what a career it was.

The Athens County native moved to Cadiz at an early age. His Eastern-Ohio roots ingrained in him a blue-collar and hard-working mindset that he carried over into his coaching life.

It worked exceedingly well.

Culver officially hung up his whistle Friday night after leading Sheridan to a 20-14 triple-overtime victory against rival New Lexington that enabled the club to finish with a 7-3 mark.

The nail-biting final dropped the curtain on a remarkable relationship between Culver and Sheridan. He coached the Generals for 35 years, guided them to 17 playoff appearances and 14 Muskingum Valley League championships.

Prior to Sheridan, Culver served as head coach at Glouster Trimble for six years before moving back to the Ohio Valley where he guided Buckeye North for two seasons. He led the Huskies to a 15-5-1 record in the 1979 and 1980 seasons, propelling him to the Sheridan post.

All told, Culver finished with a 324-132-5 career mark. That victory total places him in the top 10 in all-time Ohio football annals.

“It has been a great career. It is hard to pinpoint just one or two highlights. I have so many tremendous memories,” Culver said. “I have had great coaches to work with and have great admiration for them as we all stayed together.

“Also having your players buying into your program for so long makes it rewarding. Deciding to retire was the hardest decision I ever had to make.”

Culver and his family moved from Cadiz to Hopedale after his dad got a job in a coal mine near that town. He was graduated from Hopedale High in 1968, starring as a quarterback. He went on to play at West Liberty.

“My first coaching job after West Liberty was with the Cadiz freshmen. We went unbeaten but the entire varsity staff was fired, including me,” Culver said. “I needed a job and was fortunate to have Glouster Trimble hire me. I enjoyed my six years there, but it was nice to come back to the valley.

“We had success at Buckeye North which opened the door at Sheridan for me. It has been a very fruitful stay at Sheridan.”

That stay has been quite bountiful indeed.

Culver marched the Generals to seven unbeaten regular seasons. In 1987, Sheridan advanced to the Division-II state championship game, defeating Dover, Ironton and Cincinnati Forest Park along the way. The Generals bowed to Cardinal Mooney in the title tilt.

He was named MVL Coach of the Year on 14 occasions and was inducted into the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2014.

“I have had offers to leave. I could have had the Cadiz job but they had no position for my wife. I never made bad choices. Choosing to stay and live in Thornville was a good decision,” Culver said. “I am 65 years old, have a bunch of grandkids and spent every day of my life thinking of football in some fashion. It is time to retire.

“I am the first person in my family to graduate from college. For 44 years I got to go and play. My dad had to go to the coal mine for 45 years.”

PURPLE STAR

Shaye DeLeonardis is a three-sport standout at Martins Ferry. The talented senior has been recognized as an outstanding student-athlete in the initial phase of the Wendy’s High School Heisman Award.

DeLeonardis has been named the school’s winner for the Wendy’s Heisman Award which highlights exceptional high school seniors and their achievements in the classroom, on the field and the community. She is in consideration for becoming a state finalist.

DeLeonardis was honored for her myriad of accomplishments. She was a four-year varsity starter in volleyball, making first team All-OVAC and all-district plaudits.

DeLeonardis was also a second team all-district basketball honoree as a junior and a honorable mention All-Ohio softball hurler.

She is also a star in the classroom with a 4.545 GPA. The national finalists will be announced this month.

BUBBA’S BITS

— This is a watershed Saturday in Morgantown. The struggling Mountaineers will look to save their season when Texas Tech comes calling. WVU is 3-4 and 0-4 in the Big 12. Should the high-octane Red Raiders hand the Mountaineers a fifth straight loss, the wolves may be knocking on Dana Holgorsen’s door.

— Muskingum University recently inducted five into is athletic hall of fame. Among the honorees was Jeff Heacock. The 1976 Muskingum grad was an Associated Press All-American defensive back and first team All-Ohio Athletic Conference honoree. Heacock later served as Muskingum football coach for 26 years. He was twice honored as OAC Coach of the Year.

— I am a big fan of local Thursday night football. West Liberty University is playing host to Glenville State tonight in the Hilltoppers’ final home game of the season. WLU will honor 13 seniors. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

— Samm Reese is off to a good start with the Purdue University swimming and diving team. She and her Boilermakers teammates defeated Ohio State and Notre Dame in a triangular meet this past weekend. Reese placed second in the 3M dive and fourth in the 1M drive. She is the daughter of Martins Ferry natives Don and Janey (Patrone) Reese. Don was a quarterback for the Purple Riders while Janey is the daughter of Bellaire High hoops legend Lee Patrone.

— Bob Palmer of Wheeling aced the No.-14 hole at Belmont Hills Country Club recently. He used a 6-iron on the 133-yard, par-3. Pat Coyne, Casey Coyne and Mike Brickner witnessed the ace.

Bubba Kapral can be reached via email at: bkapral@timesleaderonline.com.