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WHEELING -- Mason VanNest will be the first to admit that he was extremely disappointed when he saw his senior football season cut short.
The Shadyside graduate was coming off an All-Ohio junior season and primed for a big year both at wide receiver and in the secondary for the Tigers. However, he sustained a broken foot during the season opener against Martins Ferry.
He missed upwards of six weeks before returning for the final couple of regular-season games and the Tigers' run to the Division VII, Region 25 championship game.
Rather than sulking. VanNest made it a point to turn his misfortune into as much of a positive as possible.
When you consider he helped the Tiger basketball team to an OVAC 2A championship and then shifted to spring where he was named OVAC 2A Player of the Year and oh by the way he was Division III state runnerup in the 200 meter dash and an All-Ohioan in the 100, too.
VanNest will now look to put the finishing touches on his illustrious prep career with another chance to play football as part of the 76th annual OVAC Rudy Mumley All-Star Football Game on Saturday.
"I was picked late for this (OVAC) game, but it didn't matter," VanNest said. "When I found out I had been chosen to play, I was so excited and thankful. I honestly thought my football career was done."
Along with his prep sports accolades, VanNest has also spent the summer playing in the Ohio Valley Baseball League for Maynard, which is playing in the championship series. Should it extend to at least a fourth game, on Sunday, VanNest would rejoin his squad.
Add everything up and it leaves even VanNest shaking his head in somewhat disbelief.
"It's really been a once-in-a-lifetime couple of months," VanNest said. "I'll never get to experience this stuff again in my life, but high school has been awesome.
VanNest -- like so many football players in the Ohio Valley -- dreamed of representing the Buckeye State in the annual summer classic. He's been attending the game since he was a young boy.
"When you think only 32 guys get picked and then think about all of the people who have played in this game before us, it's truly an honor to be a part of it," VanNest said. "The group of guys is great. We've made so many memories already and I am sure we will make a lot more as the week goes on."
Though he missed almost two months, VanNest caught 24 passes for 273 yards and two touchdowns. His biggest production of the season came in the opening round of the playoffs, against Fairfield Christian, when he caught five passes for 127 yards.
Actually, VanNest is one of three Tigers in the game.
He's joined by defensive lineman Ryan Florence and running back Wyatt Reiman.
"To be able to share this experience with Ryan and Wyatt and play one more game together is awesome," VanNest said. "I never thought I would get to play (football) with anyone from Shadyside again, so to be here with Wyatt, who is my best friend, and Ryan, who I have known my whole life."
As for what lies ahead, VanNest hasn't officially signed any letter of intent or made up his mind, but the spring he enjoyed on the oval brought a sport into the equation he didn't even participate in until this year.
"I've not made up my mind, but most likely, I'l end up (at Wheeling)," VanNest said. "I never would have thought I would possibly be running track in college."
OVAC NOTES
ACCORDING TO West Virginia head coach John Kelley, his team is down to 29 players that will suit up for Saturday's game. One players didn't report on Sunday to camp and both Grant Neiswonger (John Marshall) and Elija Jackson (University) have been ruled out due to injury.
OHIO HEAD coach Mike McKenzie indicated his team has hit the middle of the week with nary an injury and all players are on track to play on Saturday.