Review Football Player of the Year
Oak Glen's Chance RowlandBy PAUL EDGAR pedgar@reviewonline.com
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NEW MANCHESTER - There isn't much Oak Glen's Chance Rowland can't do on a football field.
This season, Rowland was the team's leading rusher, receiver, kick returner, defensive player, and even filled the role of long snapper.
"With his talent, it's hard to take him off the field," Oak Glen coach Tony Filberto said. "I've seen him banged up and told him I had to get him off, but he always says no. When you look at this kid, he's the total package. There's just so many things he can do."
The numbers speak for themselves.
Rowland finished the year with 1,194 yards and 13 touchdowns rushing on 220 carries, second only to Wellsville's Jeremy Carter (1,239 yards). Rowland led the area in receiving with 51 catches for 591 yards and six more scores.
"I think it's safe to say, he's the best back, Oak Glen has ever seen," Filberto said. "He does so many things. You'd be hard pressed to find a better all-around back."
Because of his diverse set of skills, and his part in helping the Bears to their first playoff appearance in 16 years, Rowland was selected as The Review's 2009 Player of the Year.
Also in consideration for the award, were Oak Glen's Seth Barnhart, Wellsville's Jeremy Carter and East Palestine's Shane Peterson.
The Oak Glen football program has come a long way in the last three years. During Rowland's freshman year, the Bears struggled to a 1-9 season. His sophomore year - Filberto's first year back with the team - Oak Glen improved to 5-5. This season, the Bears (6-5) made history, advancing to the postseason for the first time since 1993.
"Coming in as a freshman, I wasn't thinking about winning," Rowland said. "I just wanted to try and earn some playing time. But when (coach Filberto) came in, he told us we could win. We worked hard, and we won this year.
"We expect to win now. The tempo is better, and people are excited again about Oak Glen football."
Filberto said that when he saw Rowland step onto the field in the first game of his sophomore year, he knew he had "something special."
"If I had to find one word to describe Chance, it would be 'tough,'" Filberto said. "It's something you can't measure, but he definitely has it."
Few teams were able to bottle up Rowland for an entire 48 minutes. While many teams put their defensive focus against the junior tailback, he was able to eventually find a way to break a big play.
"I'm not explosive," Rowland said describing his running style. "But I can wear a defense down. I feel like I get stronger as the game goes on. I go hard in practice, and it helps come game time. Football is my everything."
Rowland also stands out on defense and special teams.
He totaled 118 tackles on the year, 10 for a loss, and added three sacks, three forced fumbles, seven pass breakups and five interceptions and returned a kickoff for a touchdown.
This season, Rowland made the switch from linebacker to safety.
"That was the best defensive move we made all year," Filberto said. "Now he has the whole field in front of him. He has the whole field he can run to. He has a very instinctive feel for where the football's going."
This season Rowland and the Bears got their feet wet in postseason play. Oak Glen fell to No. 1 Wayne, 34-12, in the first round, but Rowland believes it was a good experience.
"This year we got in and lost the first game," he said. "That's going to motivate me. I want to get to a state championship. I got a taste of it and I want more."
With Rowland returning to lead Oak Glen for his senior season, the Bears have plenty of reasons to be optimistic. Oak Glen will also return the entire offensive line next year.
"There's no limit to what Chance can do," Filberto said.
What next season's opponents should worry about is Rowland is not content to rest on his accomplishments. He has already begun to prepare for next year.
Filberto is aiming to add 15-20 pounds of muscle to Rowland's 6-foot, 185-pound frame.
"It's going to be a lot of work," Rowland said. "I need to be in the weight room three to four days a week from now until next season. I need to be the best I can be at football."
Rowland, who previously participated in basketball and track, will now put his entire focus on football.
"I'm still going to run track," Rowland, who competes in the 400, 800 and several relay teams, said. "Track can help me keep my speed, but I had to drop one sport."
Rowland is hoping to lead by example. Filberto believes the team was already looking up to Rowland during his sophomore year because he was making plays. The leadership role is one Rowland is embracing.
"I like to think I am a leader," he said. "I help out in as many ways as I can. It's pretty awesome to know people look up to me. It makes me work harder."
Rowland is leaving nothing to chance.
NOTES: Rowland, who is interested in continuing his athletic and academic careers in college, is more than just an athlete. He currently maintains a 3.5 GPA. "I usually get two A's and two B's," Rowland said. "I take being a student seriously." ...According to Filberto, Rowland is also somewhat of a comedian. "He has a great sense of humor," Filberto said. "He's always smiling. He has fun with whatever he's doing. He has fun a practice, and he has fun at school."
