ATLANTA — The sports activities world can be watching Ohio State and Notre Dame on Monday evening with the nationwide championship on the road.
So will Wealthy Hansen, however he’ll deal with two guys particularly: Ohio State linebacker Cody Simon and Notre Dame linebacker RJ Auben.
St. Peter’s Prep of Jersey Metropolis will take heart stage with two of its alumni enjoying in faculty soccer’s greatest sport. The duo performed collectively for 3 seasons.
“I am excited for them, man,” mentioned Hansen, the college’s athletic director and former soccer coach. “These two guys are among the many greatest folks on the planet and I imply that. Clearly, they’ve an athletic talent set, however there’s much more to them, you already know.
“They’ve embraced the grind, the competitors and the problem, and that actually units them aside. Their work ethic, they carried themselves with maturity and sophistication right here. I can not consider two guys who’re extra deserving of being on this setting and having this chance. It was an honor in my profession to educate two guys like that.”
Each Simon and Auben have helped make their defenses among the many greatest within the nation.
Simon led Ohio State in tackles with 104 and recorded seven sacks and 7 passes defensed.
He was the defensive MVP of the Rose Bowl, the Buckeyes’ lopsided win over Oregon, by which he had 11 tackles and two sacks.
In his first season at Notre Dame after spending the primary 5 years of his profession at Duke, Auben had 18 tackles, one sack and a pressured fumble.
Each needed to be affected person.
Simon waited his flip at Ohio State, lastly breaking out as a fifth-year senior.
Auben, the son of former Giants offensive lineman Roman Auben, hasn’t performed as a lot as he might need appreciated this 12 months, however he got here up huge within the quarterfinal win over Georgia with a strip sack.
Now the 2 former highschool teammates will share the identical discipline as soon as once more as opponents at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
“I spoke to RJ a number of days in the past. It is at all times greater than a rivalry or something like that,” Simon mentioned. “I simply recognize that he is within the place with me and we will all share the second. Two boys from the identical highschool are very cool.
“We have now a time period referred to as ‘Preparation for Life.’ That is actually deep. There are various individuals who have come from our college and we at all times attempt to be in contact. It means loads to our highschool.”
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Ohio State linebacker Cody Simon and Notre Dame defensive finish RJ Auben.
The one drawback for St. Peter’s Prep and Hansen is the aspect alternative. The previous coach can’t. Nonetheless, there’s a dream for Monday evening.
“I welcome the primary 0-0 tie in faculty soccer nationwide championship historical past,” Hansen joked. “That is the unhealthy a part of the entire thing. Somebody goes to stroll away shedding, and none of them need to lose. However truthfully I am simply going to take pleasure in their efforts and I do know they actually need to be on this setting.”
