DON McCORMACK
Star Beacon
August 27, 2008 02:58 am
—
Anthony Mirando has been to many parts of the country as a member of the Kent State University football team.
He has played the Lincoln Financial Field (the home of the Philadelphia Eagles), Virginia Tech, Kentucky and a year ago, storied Ohio Stadium.
On Saturday night, Mirando & Co. will play their first game at Cleveland Browns Stadium when they host Boston College in the FirstMerit Bowl (7, ESPNU).
However, Mirando admits while playing in such bigtime venues is great, it doesn’t hold a candle to playing in the likes of Falcon Pride Stadium and other high school facilities.
“I can’t say enough about what the whole experience of high school football meant to me,” the KSU junior linebacker said. “I’ve played in the Horseshoe, etc., but nothing — and I mean nothing — compares to high school football.”
In terms of just playing the game?
“No, I don’t mean it that way,” he said. “Don’t get me wrong, I loved playing, but what the game teaches you — on and off the field... I don’t think you can find anything to compare to it.”
Asked to elaborate, he didn’t hesitate.
“Football is tough, it’s not easy,” Mirando said. “It’s a physical game and it beats on you.
“But at the same time, it makes you tougher, physically and mentally, and that has an effect on a lot of what you do.”
Not that Mirando doesn’t enjoy playing the game at the collegiate level.
“Oh, I still love it, but it really is more of a business,” he said. “They don’t put up with much here.”
Like most kids, Mirando made his share of mistakes growing up, which he admits. But he said football — high school football — was one of the things that helped get him pointed back in the right direction.
“I did some things I regret, sure,” he said. “But the thought of not being able to play this game and to experience all of what it gives... well, let’s just say I can’t imagine that.”
Mirando said he received his indoctrination into the game at an early age.
“I’ve played it since I was a little kid in the back yard,” he said. “And of course, growing up and watching Angelo do his thing really, really inspired me.”
Angelo is Mirando’s older brother, who starred at quarterback for Jefferson and played collegiately at Case Western Reserve University.
When Angelo was setting Jefferson school records in yardage (1,528) and touchdown passes (12) as a senior for coach Jason Root’s Falcons in 2003, Anthony was a sophomore.
“Watching Angelo also motivated me,” he said. “Having an older brother who played like him really got me going.”
Mirando said football is a great metaphor for life.
“It teaches you discipline, toughness, aggressiveness and leadership,” he said. “It teaches you life lessons.”
Which he said he’s already putting to use.
“I’ve just moved into my first apartment, so that’s a big adjustment for me since I’ve been in the dorms the past two years,” he said. “Me and four other guys share the place. And classes started (Monday), so there’s no time to be messing around.”
Still, even though he will be playing on Saturday night in a 73,000-seat stadium, one gets the feeling Mirando holds those Friday nights in Jefferson, or Ashtabula, or Geneva, or Orwell, or Ashtabula Township near and dear to his heart.
“There’s no doubt,” he said. “High school football... there’s nothing better in the world.
“I sure hope the kids playing now appreciate that because I know I sure do.”
McCormack is the sports editor of the Star Beacon. Reach him at donmac@suite224.net.
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DON McCORMACK Star Beacon