Edward “Buzzy” Evans of St. John Central and St. Clairsville’s Jeff Rice join previously announced Hall of Fame selections: Weirton Madonna’s Ross Comis and Cambridge’s Eric Fox from the decade of the 2010s; Bellaire’s Ashley Vavrek and Trent Luyster of Harrison Central from the decade of the 2000s while Cameron’s R.C. Anderson and Barnesville’s Ryan Grear are the honorees from the 1990s. Weir’s Erica West and Bellaire’s Charlie Ward were chosen for the 1980s.

All the honorees will be feted at Wheeling’s WesBanco Arena on Saturday, Aug. 15.

Here is a capsule look at the 1970 HOF additions:

ED “BUZZY” EVANS (St. John Central, Class of 1971) – Evans is being enshrined in the OVAC Hall of Fame for his outstanding athletic success. He also was considered for induction as a coach and official.

Evans starred in football and wrestling at St. John’s. He also set the school record in the pole vault.

He was a three-year starter in football for the Fighting Irish. He earned first-team All-OVAC and second-team All-Ohio honors as a senior when SJC went 5-4-1 for Coach Denny Bowman. He was also named captain of the All-Valley Big School Team. He was later named first-team defensive end for the Wheeling Intelligencer All-Decade Team.

Evans was also a dominant force in wrestling. He was an OVAC champion as a sophomore in the 167-pound class while taking third as a junior in the 175-pound class.

He enjoyed a banner mat season as a senior. He was OVAC and district champion at 185 pounds. Evans took home third place in the OHSAA Wrestling Tournament as St. John’s was in the state’s largest school category.

Evans continued his outstanding athletic success on the collegiate level, both on the gridiron and on the mat.

He was a four-year letterman as a defensive lineman for the Hilltoppers. As a freshman, he helped West Liberty put together an undefeated regular season while advancing to the NAIA playoff semifinals.

Evans was honored as WVIAC Defensive Player of the Year as a senior. He was the Hilltoppers’ team captain that fall.

Evans was a three-year letterman for West Liberty’s wrestling program. He was WVIAC 177-pound champion as a sophomore, junior and senior. He qualified for the national tournament in Iowa in his final mat campaign for the Black & Gold.

Evans was inducted into the West Liberty Athletic Hall of Fame in 1977.

When it came to coaching, Evans also excelled in wrestling. He cut his head coaching teeth at Bridgeport in 1976. After three years at the Bulldogs’ helm, he served as an assistant at Martins Ferry, then became an assistant at Wheeling Park before assuming the head Patriots’ mat post.

Evans’ guided the Patriots for five years, winning several OVAC titles as well the West Virginia Class AAA state championship in 1986. That squad was ranked 25th nationally by National Wrestling News.

After retiring as a coach, Evans turned his whistle to become a wrestling official, a position which he still currently excels in. Evans has been accorded numerous awards for his officiating prowess.

JEFF RICE (St. Clairsville, Class of 1970) – Rice is still regarded as one of the finest running backs to ever grace the Ohio Valley gridiron.

His senior year also marked the first season legendary George Strager served as head coach of the Red Devils. Rice and Strager teamed up to turn in a magical season on the hilltop.

Rice was the major reason St. Clairsville went 9-0 on the season. It marked the school’s first unbeaten season since 1956 and first perfect season since 1947. Strager’s prolific offense, fueled by a mammoth rushing campaign by Rice, averaged 41.4 points per game.

Rice galloped for 1,803 yards on only 195 carries, averaging better than 200 rushing yards per game. He scored 174 points on 27 touchdowns and 12 PATs.

His impressive totals earned Rice first-team All-Ohio Class AA Associated Press honors, the biggest classification in the Buckeye State. He became the first Red Devil back to earn such prestigious plaudits. He was tabbed second team All-Ohio by the UPI.

Rice was also named captain of the All-Valley Big School Team as well as first-team All-OVAC and every other honor possible.

He also lettered in basketball and track for the Red Devils.

Rice’s electric rushing skills landed him countless D-I offers. He cast his lot with West Virginia University.

At WVU, he led the frosh squad in rushing and scoring. Freshmen were not allowed to play with the varsity teams.

Rice gained 411 yards on 65 carries for a 6.3 yards-per-carry average and seven touchdowns. He also had great speed and was clocked at 4.5 seconds for the 40-yard dash.

As a sophomore, he played tailback until the latter part of the season when the coaches switched him to defense, and the coaches liked what they saw. He was considered an excellent tackler on kickoff coverage. However, he saw little action during his Blue & Gold career because of injuries.

Rice is also in the St. Clairsville High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

The next release in two weeks will announce the OVAC Hall of Fame honorees for the decades 1960s.