10:06am: Talkline with Hoppy Kercheval

Madonna’s Comis voted the MetroNews Player of the Year

WEIRTON, W.Va. — It was a monumental season for Madonna senior quarterback Ross Comis and the Blue Dons as they finished the year as the only undefeated team in the state, picking up the school’s third football championship along the way.

Comis, meanwhile, has been named as the MetroNews Player of the Year following a vote of 19 radio broadcasters from across the state that factored in postseason success as well.

The voting scale awarded three points for a first place vote, two for a second place vote and one point for a third place vote. Comis garnered 15 of the 19 first place votes, finishing with 49 points.

Martinsburg quarterback Malique Watkins received the other four first place votes, overall coming in second. He was followed by Morgantown running back Chazzy Thomas and Bridgeport running back Anthony Bonamico.

RANK METRONEWS PLAYER OF THE YEAR TOP FOUR POINTS
1 ROSS COMIS, MADONNA
49 (15)
STATS: Madonna quarterback Ross Comis finished the 2013 campaign with 3,630 total offensive yards and 57 combined touchdowns (1,942 rushing and 35 TDs, 1,688 passing and 22 TDs). The senior signal caller had just four interceptions on the season, leading the Blue Dons to a 14-0 record and Class A state championship.
2 MALIQUE WATKINS, MARTINSBURG
25 (4)
STATS: Martinsburg senior quarterback Malique Watkins finished 2013 with 2,784 total offensive yards and 36 total touchdowns (1,811 rushing yards and 20 TDs, 973 passing yards and 16 TDs). He had just six interceptions, leading Martinsburg to its fourth straight Class AAA state championship.
3 CHAZZY THOMAS, MORGANTOWN 15
STATS: Morgantown senior running back Chazzy Thomas led the Mohigans and all of Class AAA with 2,108 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns on 174 carries. A nagging late-season injury, however, severely limited Thomas down the stretch as the Mohigans made an early playoff exit.
4 ANTHONY BONAMICO, BRIDGEPORT 9
STATS: Bridgeport senior running back Anthony Bonamico led all of Class AA with 2,141 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns on 205 carries. His Indians finished the year 13-1 as Class AA state champions.

Comis accumulated 3,630 total offensive yards during his senior campaign and 57 touchdowns (1,942 rushing and 35 TDs, 1,688 passing yards and 22 TDs). He had just four interceptions.

“I didn’t anticipate to have the stats that I did,” he said. “But I knew after last year with the offense we ran and the guys we had around me, that I was going to be able to put up some good numbers.

“Our receivers like Will Bowser, Tyler Ewusiak and Marcello Biondello, Eliott Nero in the backfield is a big threat, so people have to key in on him, which opens up running lanes for me. Of course, the line as well – everyone has contributed to it and I take no credit for myself.”

Comis turned a lot of heads even a season ago in the 2012 Class A state championship game, totaling six touchdowns in a 43-42 overtime loss to Wahama.

From that point on, Comis and the Blue Dons were near unstoppable offensively, avenging that title game loss to the White Falcons in this year’s quarterfinals, 77-50 and eventually beating Greenbrier West 24-14 in the championship game.

“We were very confident,” Comis said. “We knew we had the talent to win (a championship), the players to win it and the coaching staff. We obviously had to deal with some pressure, realizing it was out last year and we had no more chances.

“Our main goal was to get back to the state championship. We realized once you get there, it’s even harder to win it. We fell last year and this year we were able to come out on top – it’s a great feeling.”

The most talked about play of the Super Six was Comis’ over the shoulder/behind the back flip-pass to Eliott Nero as he was being sacked.

“I remember dropping back, pressure came and I tried to escape,” he said. “I wasn’t able to, but for some reason I always find Eliott. I took a quick look over my shoulder and just trusted him to be there, so I just tossed it.”

Madonna quarterback Ross Comis has been named the MetroNews Player of the Year – he’s pictured here with Blue Dons’ head coach Doug Taylor during the Class A state title game.

With his high school football career complete, Comis turns his focus to getting a shot at the next level.

“I definitely want to play college football,” Comis said. “My main goal is to play Division I. There are many small schools after me, but I’ve always wanted to play Division I and I want to play in front of a big crowd. I don’t know if I don’t go Division I that I will end up playing.

“Pitt has been contacting me for the last couple weeks – they came to our school and talked to me and (7-foot-2 Josh Martin),” he said. “They’re very interested and I went to their game the other week – I love it down there and hopefully that’s where I go. These next couple of months will be very stressful, but I’m looking forward to it.”

As for potential interest from WVU?

“I went to their spring game, the first game of the season, and then they invited me to the Texas game,” Comis said. “They offered me a preferred walk-on spot, but other than that, haven’t really talked to me since. I would love to go there, but Pitt is my top choice right now.”

Regardless of where he ultimately lands at the next level, Comis concluded his high school career at the top.

“I don’t know that it’s all completely sunk in yet,” Comis said. “We all got together after the championship, having a pep rally this week. It feels good and I will miss playing with these guys – but it’s a great way to go out.”





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