File Photo Barnesville’s Taison Starr reels in a pass during a game this past season. Starr will represent Ohio in Saturday’s 78th annual OVAC Rudy Mumley All-Star Football Game at Wheeling Island Stadium.

WHEELING — For the young men representing West Virginia and Ohio this weekend, Monday was the start of what will be a week-long voyage to the 78th annual OVAC Rudy Mumley All-Star Football Game, to be held on Wheeling Island Stadium.

It’s a voyage that includes plenty of practices for the best of the best in the OVAC’s graduating class, but also plenty of extracurriculars. And it’s a voyage with an event at the end which the players of this year’s all-star game hold in high esteem.

In a way, the game– set for July 20– stands as the final send-off of last season and heralding of the new campaign in August. It’s a game that has been around as long– and far longer– than any of this year’s participants can remember. For many, it is an opportunity to put one’s skills on display one last time, but for all, it’s a tradition that they have waited a long time to take part in.

“It means a lot,” River quarterback Kabel Isaly said of the game. “I know a lot of these guys, I played with them, played against them for many years. I’ve come up here and watched this game for many years. It just means a lot to be able to play with these guys, this high level of talent. It’s awesome.”

“It’s obviously a really big opportunity, a ton of people come out to watch this game,” Wheelign Park safety Jared Marsh said. “Even though I don’t have an interest in playing football at the next level it’s still great to be around these guys and this type of competition.”

For as far back as the all-star game goes, players are focused on the present, letting their competitive instincts and pride for their state show in their preparation for Saturday.

“It’s really an honor, I can’t thank [Harrison Central’s] coach Hayes and his staff enough for picking me,” Barnesville linebacker/runningback Taison Starr said. “It really is a prestigious honor and I’m looking forward to getting after it.”

“It means a lot because I grew up watching this game and hoping I’d be chosen for it one day,” Weir runningback Corey Lyons said. “They picked me and I’m proud to represent West Virginia.”

Last year, West Virginia defeated Ohio 13-9. While many of the players in this year’s outing remember games from far back, the more recent years have held special importance for many others– allowing them to see their own senior teammates take part, and reminding them that it would be their time soon enough.

“I’ve had a couple of receivers play, and a lineman last year,” Isaly said. “Coming to watch them play, I just saw the high level of talent and how awesome it was. People always said good things about the camp and the week, and being able to spend time with these guys and be able to play a football game one more time.”

“I had two last year and three the year prior play in this game,” Lyons said. “And my cousins played in it.”

Last year,, Park’s Erick Brothers, Weir’s Jamari Bass, River’s Brody Lollathin and Brayden Strawn, and Barnesville’s CJ Hannahs and Quintin Leasure were each on the team.

“Growing up I always came down to watch this with my uncle,” Starr said. “I always said, I’m going to play in this game one day. Here I am. It’s really an honor.”

“I’ve been watching Park guys play in this game for 10 years now,” Marsh said. “That championship team that we had in 2015, I was there watching this game and some of my favorite guys I’ve ever met played in it that year. It’s an honor to be playing now.”

Only a few short days stand in-between now and Saturday, but each year, the OVAC makes sure those days are jam-packed. With Tuesday’s George Strager Evening With The Stars, Wednesday’s Shriners Social, Thursday’s Queen of Queens Pageant, and Friday’s pep rally all adding to a week of practice, this year’s players are aiming to soak it all in before the big game.

“There’s a lot of things to do,” Isaly said. “A big schedule, supporting the cheerleaders and the band, a couple things to go to. It’s going to be a busy week but I’m excited.”

“That’s the plan,” Marsh said of staying busy. “I’m a baseball player but now I get a nice week-long break, take a step back and play some football. It’s great to be back on the field.”

No matter how many socials and pep rallies there are, Saturday will still come. Though, not soon enough for the eager all-stars.

“It’s a great opportunity to have a great week and end it by representing West Virginia,” Lyons said.

“These guys are all great athletes,” Starr said. “And I can’t wait for Saturday.”

NOTE

The Queen of Queens Pageant for this Thursday has changed venues to the JB Chambers Performing Arts Center at Wheeling Park High School. Tickets are available at http://ovac.org and tickets at the door will be cash only.