Thursday, May 10, 2007

Ashley named U.S. Army All-American

St. X junior first Bomber football player to earn honor

St. Xavier High School junior running back Darius Ashley picked up the first of what Bomber fans hope will be many honors heading into his senior season as the U.S. Army All-American Bowl named him a 2007 All-American.

Ashley is the first St. X football player to be so honored by the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

St. Xavier will host a press conference for the official announcement of Ashley’s selection at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 9, in the Reynolds Room (Rm. 1558-1560) at the school, 600 W. North Bend Road.

“I’ve said it all along, Darius is a special, special player,” said Steve Specht (’86), St. Xavier head football coach. “More than that, he’s a special young man. This is a great honor for him and we’re excited for the recognition. Hopefully this is something that will inspire Darius and the rest of the team. We have a lot of work to do to get ready for next season; an honor like this is something they will know they have to work hard to live up to.”

Ashley – a 5-foot-9, 180-pound running back - has led the Bombers in rushing and touchdowns each of the last two seasons. He is considered a Division I NCAA prospect and already has scholarship offers from several schools.

The St. Xavier football team went 10-2 last season and was regional runner-up in the playoffs. Ashley was a key component in the Bombers 2005 state championship season as a sophomore, scoring a 50-yard touchdown in the third quarter of the title game.

St. X opens the 2007 season August 25 against Winton Woods High School at Nippert Stadium. 

For more information on the All American announcement, please contact Staff Sergeant George Robinson of the U.S. Army at GEORGE.ROBINSON@USAREC.ARMY.MIL or contact Steve Specht at 761-7815, ext. 325 or sspecht@stxavier.org.