Oberlin gridders go to all-star game

The National All-Stars Bowl. Not exactly a household phrase, is it? Heck, aside from the Pro-Bowl and the Blue-Gray Classic, one would likely be at a loss to name any nationwide football all-star game. But the game - actually a series of games played around the country-is not as obscure in the worlds of college and professional football as it may be to its fans. Two of Oberlin's own got a firsthand look at this mysterious contest when they were invited to play in the Midwest region's game.

Seniors offensive guard Chris Davis and wide receiver Felix Brooks-Church were selected by NCAC coaches to attend the April 17 game at Berea High School in Cleveland. The game itself included players from all three athletic divisions of the NCAA. A mini-combine held in the morning before the game allowed players to demonstrate their athleticism in front of scouts from all levels of pro football, including the NFL, Canadian League and the Arena League.

"It was the first time I was up against a Division I player, that I was up against that kind of competition," Davis said. "I felt I held my own." Davis started both halves of the game, but was modest, as always, about his play. "I didn't think I was doing anything real special, but when I came off everybody was congratulating me and saying I'd had some real good pancake blocks." He added that he hadn't "seen any video or anything" and would wait until then to reserve judgment on his playing.

"Chris played a great game," Brooks-Church said. "He definitely put a few people on their backs. He's a big guy and a force to be reckoned with."

Brooks-Church shone as he has all season, leading all receivers in total receptions (5) and receiving yards (80). Despite failing to tally a touchdown, Brooks-Church felt he held his own alongside the Division I and II athletes. "I felt like I definitely represented," he said with a smile.

The team featuring the two Yeomen won the game 20-0, but both players agreed that the day was well-spent regardless of the score or statistics. Davis considered it to be a very nice way to end his college career. "We had some fun in our last game," Davis said. "Some of the team and some of our friends came up to see us and it was real nice to look up and see them in the stands."

Both seniors have been standouts in a program that has only netted one victory during their collegiate careers. Brooks-Church holds the NCAC career record for receptions, as well as numerous OC receiving records. Davis established himself as one of the conference's most dominating linemen but never received official recognition of this since his position is evaluated mostly in the basis of how much the team scores - something that Oberlin didn't do much of.

"He was the anchor of [our] offensive line," Brooks-Church said. "He deserved all-conference honors."

"We went out with the goal to win games," Davis said. "Even though we didn't meet those goals, it was good to see team unity. I've really got to give thanks to the players here at Oberlin. It's hard, but you make a lot of good friends here."

"I'm glad I came to Oberlin," Brooks-Church said. "It was nice to feel that whatever success I had was impacting the team." When asked about the future of the program he said, "They've got a couple of good leaders, and we've had a lot of good talent over the past years, but it all comes down to numbers [of players]."

Davis was optimistic. "I'm glad to have been a part of the senior class that is building a foundation," he said. "[Those remaining are] ready to get in on, ready to take it to another level. I look forward to coming back in a couple of years and watching them gunning for a championship."

With a few more players like Davis and Brooks-Church, they could be doing just that.