BETHANY — The Ohio vs. West Virginia rivalry is part of the ultimate intrigue that makes the OVAC Rudy Mumley All-Star Game even more special than most other all-star games.

A player’s chance to represent not only his school and family, but his entire state against the other state helps to add to the competitive nature. In years’ past, things have gotten a little bit chippy at times after spending a week in camp, trash talking as you cross paths in the cafeteria or dorms.

Two West Virginia players have actually seen the rivalry from both sides of the river.

Both Dylan Baker and Jacob “Butter” Murray reside in Ohio. However, come Saturday night at Purple Rider Stadium in Martins Ferry, they’ll both be wearing a Blue and Gold jersey, representing the Mountain State.

“I’ve been going to this all-star game since I was a kid and growing up I never dreamed I’d play for West Virginia,” Baker said. “I’ve had several cousins play in this game and always went and rooted them and Ohio on. I am a huge Ohio State fan, so it’s definitely weird wearing Blue and Gold, while playing against a team in Scarlet and Gray.”

Baker, who resides in Lewisville, transferred to Central before his freshman season. He had attended junior high in the Switzerland of Ohio school district and would have attended Monroe Central had he remained in the district.

“It came down totally to education,” Baker, who is headed to Wheeling Jesuit in the fall, said. “My mom wanted me to do better and she thought that going to Wheeling Central would give me a better shot and prepare me better for college. Football was just a bonus because (the decision) was 100 percent about education.”

Baker, who was a mainstay in the secondary for the Maroon Knights, finished his career with 253 career tackles, six fumble recoveries and seven interceptions from his safety spot. He remembers his first trip to Wheeling during the summer of 2013.

“I didn’t know anyone at Central and the transition was difficult at first,” Baker admitted. “What helped me was that we started football before school, so by the time we started school, I had got to meet a lot of the guys already, so I wasn’t walking into a building without knowing anyone. I have no regrets about the decision at all. It’s really paid off for me.”

For Murray, who played his prep ball at Linsly and lives in Beallsville, the transition or experience of putting on the Mountaineer jersey hasn’t been as tough.

“To me, playing for West Virginia just feels right because I’ve been playing sports in West Virginia since my freshman year,” Murray said. “Not only did I go to Linsly since I was a freshman, but I also played (American Legion baseball) for Post 1 for three years.”

Murray put forth an impressive career for the Cadets despite having his senior season cut short due to injury. He finished with 24 receptions for 413 yards on offense. Defensively, which is where he’s expecting to see his most action this weekend, he posted 63 tackles and five interceptions. He also forced five fumbles and pounced on three others.

Headed to Ohio University in the fall, Murray admitted that he’s not an Ohio State fan, which has helped the transition. He also watched his brother, Jameson, and cousin, Zak Kriechbaum, play for West Virginia in 2014 and 2015, respectively.