Rick Rios lived and breathed Rogers football for nearly three decades, but a chance to coach at a program that draws crowds of 10,000 fans on Friday nights was too much to pass up.

Rios, 42, who has guided the Rams for 11 years, accepted the head coaching position at Warren Harding on Tuesday.

A 1987 Rogers graduate who played quarterback, he has spent 21 seasons on the Rams coaching staff. He compiled a 59-55 record, including a 42-31 mark in City League play. Last season, Rogers went 7-3, 5-1.

"I gave my heart and soul to Rogers," Rios said. "My first day in the building was in 1983. It's the one place I know. I'm very proud of what the kids accomplished."

Rios helped more than 30 players continue their education and football careers at the college level.

But he said what drew him away was "an unbelievable offer" from Warren Harding.

"One thing they have there is great resources and facilities," Rios said. "The support there is unbelievable. It is one of those dream jobs. It's a football town. It consumes the whole community. The stadium fills up 10,000 on Friday nights. They have a great football complex."

After playing two years as a flanker at John Carroll University, Rios came back to his alma mater in 1989 to take a position as the freshmen coach. He moved up to a varsity assistant position which he held from 1990-99, then took over as head coach in 2000. He has been a mathematics teacher there since 1993.

"Once I started coaching I knew I would someday like to be a head coach," Rios said. "It's been a dream come true for 11 years.

"When I told the kids, it was one of the most difficult things I've ever had to do. The biggest thing that we talked about was the fact that Rogers will go on."

His Rams won six straight games to end last season. In 2009, Rogers earned a playoff berth with a 9-1 record, but the team lost in the opening round. It was one of three trips to the playoffs Rogers made under Rios. The others were in 2000 and 2005, yet both ended with first-round losses.

"But for me, the biggest thrill was the fact that I had 17 kids either play at the Division I or Division II level," he said. "I have many others who have gone on to play at the Division III level."

He coached tight end Fred Davis, who went on to a stellar career at Southern California and currently plays in the NFL for the Washington Redskins.

Among other notable players were Diontre Earl, the CL's player of the year in 2000 who played at Akron, and Isaiah Ballard, co-player of the year in the CL in 2007 and currently a standout safety at Toledo. DerJuan Gambrell, a senior, has committed to Ohio State.

He said the most talented player he coached was Drushawn Humphrey, who would have played at Ohio State. Humphrey died when he was a junior.

"He was incredible — best I've ever seen," Rios said. "I have been blessed to have had some great kids come through Rogers. There was a lot of work to get them lined up to do what they've gone on to do. But they put in the hard work."

Warren Harding is coming off an 8-3 season in which it lost in the first round of the playoffs. The school has made eight playoff appearances and has won two state championships, the last one in 1990. Perhaps the school's most recognizable product was former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett.

"My ultimate goal is to win some state titles at Warren G. Harding," Rios said.

Wrestling

3 Mules state runners-up

Bedford had three wrestlers take second place at the Division 1 state tournament at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Senior Brian Gibbs finished with a 56-3 record in the 140-pound weight class to finish runner-up. Junior Logan Rimmer (52-9) finished second at 285, while sophomore Mitch Rogaliner (56-3) placed second at 103. Rogaliner was the first Bedford freshman to win a state title when he won at 103 last season.

Junior Bryan Smith finished fifth in the 215 class with a 48-15 record.

Gibbs set a school record for career wins with 187. He placed third at state last year.

Erie Mason junior Ty Hagar (48-12) placed sixth at 140 in Division 3.

Blissfield senior Dalton Goetz (50-7) placed sixth at 171 in Division 4.

Hockey

Findlay coach St. Jean honored

Findlay coach Dan St. Jean received the Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity Award from the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

St. Jean, who has coached the Trojans for five seasons, was selected for the award by the state coaches association. He was honored at Nationwide Arena in Columbus prior to the state title game.

The native of Montreal played professional hockey in the United States and Europe. He became an assistant coach for the ECHL's Cincinnati Cyclones. St. Jean also served as an assistant at the University of Findlay and Bowling Green State University.

His first season with the Trojans was in 2006 when he led the Trojans to a 24-7-0 record and reached the district final. Last year his team upset top-ranked St. Francis in the district final.

He has a 91-54-7 record at Findlay.

The SEI award is given annually to a coach who reflects the values of sportsmanship, ethics and integrity in all their professional responsibilities.

Other local coaches who have received the award are: Findlay's Mike Root (1998), Northview's Jim Cooper (2000), Springfield's Butch Leon (2002), Bowling Green's Dan DeWitt (2004), and Maumee's Bob Reichardt (2006).

Bowling 

State tournament

Napoleon senior Jessica Parsons finished among the top 25 bowlers at the girls state championships in Columbus.

Parsons finished 23rd after rolling a 560 series (190, 192, and 178). Eastwood senior Brandi Roller bowled a 517 series. Roller finished 56th with games of 169, 167, and 181.

Archbold senior Chandler Stevens finished among the top 50 boys. He rolled games of 170, 213, and 175 for a 558 series to finish 49th.

Contact Mark Monroe at: mmonroe@theblade.com or 419-724-6354.

First Published March 24, 2011, 4:15 a.m.