By Nick Buglione
Ohrnberger, 17, in his third season, again piled up monster numbers this year, and recently won both the county Thorp Award and the Martone Award for his stellar play and leadership on the field.
I kind of expected the Martone, Ohrnberger said of the award presented by the Nassau County Football Coaches Association to the countys top lineman. I went up there and I had a speech prepared. I was very satisfied with that. And when they said my name for the Thorp, it was jaw-dropping.
Named after the late Tom Thorp, the award is given to the best overall player in the county in both the public and parochial schools.
Ohrnberger is just the third lineman in 25 years to win the Thorp, and hes the first East Meadow Jet to get it since Phil Barbaccia in 1967. He has definitely earned it. He was the best player in the county, said Vinnie Mascia, East Meadow's coach. He played a huge role [in our season]. He was the leader of the team; he made sure the guys were doing what they were supposed to be doing.
This year the senior accounted for 66 tackles -- 13 for losses -- four sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Determined to turn things around for the Jets this season, Ohrnberger and Mascia together created a workout regimen for the team and made weight-room appearances mandatory for all players.
I kept repeating over and over, ÔIts going to be different, said the 6-foot-3, 266-pound lineman. Things were different. The Jets were a force to be reckoned with this year, and played a tough Farmingdale team close in the playoffs, though they fell short in the end.
It was a thrill, Mascia said about getting to watch his team run onto the turf at Hofstras Shuart Stadium for the Farmingdale game. Seeing them run out there was the best.
Ohrnberger started raising eyebrows on the gridiron in his junior year, when he logged 47 tackles, three sacks, seven forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries, not to mention a few batted-down passes.
On the offensive side of the ball, he recorded an astounding 65 pancake blocks, in which he knocked his opponent to the ground.
His play drew attention from college coaches from throughout the country. Coaches from Nebraska, Maryland, Miami, Syracuse, Boston College, West Virginia and Penn State all inquired about Ohrnberger. Last summer he committed to a full scholarship to Penn State, one of the countrys elite collegiate football programs, headed by the legendary Joe Paterno.
Even though he committed with a year of high school still to go, Ohrnberger didnt even think of taking it easy on the field in his last season.
He isnt sure whether the Nittany Lions will use him on the offensive or defensive line, but it doesnt really matter to him. I dont care where I play, just let me play, he said.
With the size, strength, speed and drive to succeed, Ohrnberger should be successful wherever he winds up in Penn State's lineup, Mascia believes. I think hes going to have a great career, the coach said. Hopefully hell throw me tickets so I can go to the games.
Ohrnberger is taking a brief break from working out until Dec. 15, and then its back to the weight room, where, incidentally, he benches 325 pounds and squats 505. He hopes to have his weight up in the 275- to 285-pound range by the time graduation rolls around.
Im not leaving the weight room until July, when Penn State comes and scoops me up, he said.
