The All-Ohio Classic may have been a lot of work and hard-hitting, but Redgie Arden had a different opinion.

Tuesday, July 03, 2001

The All-Ohio Classic may have been a lot of work and hard-hitting, but Redgie Arden had a different opinion.

"It was a lot of fun. I had a great time," said Arden.

"There were a lot of good players. It was a lot similar to high school except except about everyone is a little faster and a little bigger. The competition level is up. It’s good for me."

Arden played linebacker and was on all special teams. He was also one of the three team captains for the South All-Stars.

"I got a good hit on one kickoff. I really like (being on special teams)," Arden said.

The South won 20-7 and cut the North’s lead in the series to 31-22-3. It marked the first year the game was played outside of Massillon in more than two decades and it was the first time the game was played at Crew Stadium.

Arden was impressed with several of his teammates. He said wide receiver Angelo Chattams of Dayton Chaminade-Julianne, Pickerington linebacker Lawrence Reid, and Upper Arlington defensive end Simon Fraser were the top players.

Arden and Chattams will be teammates again this fall. Both have signed to play for Ohio State.

"Chattams was pretty good. He could run and catch," Arden said. "Reid and Fraser were good players. Just about all our linebackers were pretty good."

The 6-foot-5, 240-pound Arden is known for his hard-hitting and strong work ethic. Arden said the South had good workouts all week in practice and he thought that added to the team’s success.

"We practiced more and we hit more. I think that was a big reason why we won. We were more prepared," Arden said.

The South’s workouts were full of hitting as Upper Arlington tight end Chris Miller, a Boston College signee, will attest.

"(Miller) was coming across the middle on a pass route and he didn’t see me. I hit him and I think I knocked a couple of teeth out."

Arden was a four-year starter at tight end and linebacker for Ironton, but he missed the last regular season game and the four playoff games in 1999 when he suffered a knee injury.

Ironton lost 16-14 in the state championship game to Sandusky Perkins which featured Brandon Schnittker, a running back and linebacker who has signed with Ohio State.

Arden said he had hoped to get one chance to tackle Schnittker since he missed the title game.

"I wanted just one chance and I got two. It doesn’t make up for losing the game, but it felt good to get a good hit on him," Arden said.

The hit for Arden came when he hit Schnittker for a 2-yard loss on a third-and-goal at the 2-yard line.

Arden’s only regret was not getting in on more tackles, but it was not through his own fault.

"The North threw the ball too much," Arden said.