By KEVIN HARRIS
On Saturday afternoon, Jeffersonville senior Toba Omotinugbon received a surprising belated Christmas present.
The 6-foot-1, 245-pound defensive end discovered in a phone interview he had been named The Evening News and Tribune Area Player of the Year for the 2009 season. Omotinugbon beat out Providence senior linebacker Jacob Golembeski and Floyd Central senior quarterback Max Guenther for the annual honor.
“Wow! I’m speechless,” Omotinugbon uttered once he found out he was this year’s top player. “It’s a great present. It’s good to see that the hard work is paying off.”
Omotinugbon established himself as one of the top defensive players in the Clark-Floyd area the past two campaigns. This season he tied for the team lead in tackles with 71 with teammate Kris Thompson. Omotinugbon’s team-high 11 tackles for loss were the second-most in a season in Red Devil history.
In addition, Omotinugbon led Jeff in quarterback hurries with three and made two sacks, helping him earn a spot on the all-Hoosier Hills Conference team for the second year in a row.
Omotinugbon’s presence alone on the Red Devil defensive line made him one of the most feared pass rushers in Southern Indiana.
“He is very deserving,” said former Jeff head coach Steve Cooley, who recently resigned from the post. “No one works harder than that young man. He works hard on the practice field, he works hard in the weight room and he works hard in the classroom.”
During his 10 years on the Jeff sidelines, Cooley coached several defensive stalwarts like current Indiana University linebacker Brandon McGhee and former All-State players Chris Zelli, Larry Taugher and Dane Corrick.
Omotinugbon definitely ranks right up there with that group.
“He’s an unbelievable talent,” Cooley said. “It’s a great honor for him. It shows that hard work and effort pay off.”
Omotinugbon credits Cooley, his assistant coaches and teammates for assisting him in receiving this year’s Player of the Year honor.
“I give all the credit to them,” Omotinugbon said. “In practice, they pushed me and I pushed them.”
If there was one thing Omotinugbon wanted to change about the season, it was how the Red Devils fared in Class 5A Sectional 8. Jeff suffered a 21-14 first-round loss to Castle, ending its season with a 5-5 record.
In 2007, Omotinugbon helped the Red Devils win their fourth sectional title in school history. He was hoping to duplicate that result during his senior year.
“It was really, really disappointing. Our goal was to come up with a sectional championship like we did two years ago,” Omotinugbon said. “(The season) didn’t go as planned. We wanted to accomplish more, but we jelled as a team.”
The next decision Omotinugbon will make is where he will play college football. He is yet to make a verbal commitment, as several NCAA Division I schools have shown interest in him like Indiana, Kentucky and Army.
Omotinugbon says he has what it takes to play at the D-I level.
“I’m highly confident. If I put my mind to it, I can accomplish it,” said Omotinugbon, who added that Division III Wabash is “heavily interested” in him.
Cooley thinks his star defender has the credentials to play D-I football.
“He’s a little undersized to be a defensive end, but he is the right size to be a linebacker,” said Cooley, who stated that a school’s academic standing will play a huge role in Omotinugbon’s decision. “He’s relentless and a great well-rounded kid.”
