Mooney’s Simon helps East win

By Joe Scalzo

Cardinal Mooney senior John Simon is used to playing against some of Ohio’s best players during the football season, something that prepared him for Saturday’s U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

“Going against guys like that [this week] in practice, you have to come ready to go,” he said on Saturday night following East’s 30-17 victory. “I thought I did pretty well.”

Simon, an Ohio State recruit at defensive tackle, had two tackles for a loss for the East squad, playing the whole game as part of a defensive line rotation.

“It was a lot of fun,” Simon said. “I had a really good time.”

Simon arrived in San Antonio six days before the game and was set to return to Youngstown today at 2 p.m. The Texas weather was in the mid-70s for much of the week.

“It was hot by Ohio standards,” Simon said. “Some of the other kids from the South were running around thinking it was cold. It was kind of funny.”

When asked to name the highlight of his week, Simon didn’t mention the game or the weather.

“Just spending time with the soldiers,” he said. “It helps you realize what they do for this country and what a great honor it is to live in America.”

Simon isn’t sure where he’ll be watching Monday’s Fiesta Bowl between Ohio State and Texas, but he knows he’ll be in front of a TV set.

“I’ll be wearing some Ohio State gear, cheering them on,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to it.”

XFor game story, see C2.