Two NWOers Win USFL Championship

Volume 1 Issue 1

Two local athletes took home the rebooted USFL Championship this past Sunday. Safety Nate Holley (Toledo/Whitmer) and Quentin Poling (Elida) both got their first ever rings as pro athletes. Holley did not appear in the championship game but has recorded 19 tackles on the year as a safety. Prior to the USFL Holley was a first team All-MAC performer at Kent State. He then had brief stints on NFL practice squads before playing for the Calgary Stampeders and winning the CFL Rookie of the Year. He then had a brief stint with the Miami Dolphins before joining the USFL. Teammate Quentin Poling appeared in the championship game and recorded one tackle to give him six on the year. Before the USFL Poling was a first team All-MAC linebacker at Ohio and was drafted by the Miami Dolphins. Poling has been on NFL practice squads from 2018 to 2021 and appeared in one game with the Oakland Raiders. Holley and Poling are the second set of NWO teammates to win the USFL Championship. The others being Tony Osbun (Kenton) and Jeff Jackson (Toledo/Toledo Scott) for the 1983 Michigan Panthers.

Leading Updates

• Natasha Howard (Toledo/Waite) was selected to the WNBA All-Star game. This is her second time earning the honor (2019). The New York Liberty Forward is currently in her 9th WNBA season. The All-Star game is today (July 10th) at 1pm on ABC.

• Vince Williams (Toledo/Toledo St. John’s) signs a two-deal with the Memphis Grizzlies. Allowing him to play in the NBA and G-League.

• Gordi Myer (Sylvania/Northview) re-signs with Toledo Walleye for 2022-23 season.

• Upcoming Senior Max Hermes (Milan/Edison) announced his commitment to wrestle for Rutgers University

Notable Game Updates

• On July 3rd Natasha Howard (Toledo/Waite) had 13 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals in a loss to the Los Angeles Sparks.

• On July 5th Vince Williams (Toledo/Toledo St. John’s) had 9 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 1 block in his Summer League debut against the 76ers. Meanwhile, teammate Dakota Mathias (Elida) had 10 points, 2 rebounds 3 assists, 1 steal and 1 block in his season debut.

• On July 6th Jase Bowen (Northwood/Toledo Central Catholic) went 3-for-5 from the plate with 3 RBI’s and a Home Run for the Single-A Bradenton Marauders.

• On July 6th Natasha Howard (Toledo/Waite) had 18 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 block in a win over the Las Vegas Aces.

• On July 6th Dakota Mathias (Elida) had 11 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks and 1 steal and assist in a loss to the Thunder.

• On July 7th Adam Wolf (Milan/Edison) got his fourth win of the season for the Double A Erie Seawolves. He had 2 strikeouts over two innings to move his ERA to 3.42.

• On July 7th Zavier Simpson (Lima/Lima Senior) had 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 block in his Summer League debut with the Orlando Magic.

Interesting Reads

• Natasha Howard, Sabrina Ionescu: portrait of two New York Liberty All Stars

• Chris Bassitt Regrets Telling New York Mets About Positive Covid Test

• Margaretta student-athlete named Gatorade Ohio Girls Track & Field Player of the Year

• Central Catholic’s Johnson faces uncertain basketball future with positive outlook

• In a well-deserved first, a Toledoan gets inducted into Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame

Just for Fun

Top 5 NWO Browns Players

5. Mel Long

Mel Long (Toledo/Macomber) played three seasons for the Browns from 1972 to 1974. Long primarily played as a back up linebacker to veteran Browns players. Long also was kick returner during the 1973 season.

4. Emerson Cole

Emerson Cole (Swanton) was a Cleveland Browns running back in the early 1950’s. Cole was the first black athlete the Browns drafted in the NFL (the Browns previously played in the AAFC). In 1950 Cole was the backup to Marion Motley and helped the Browns win the NFL Championship. The following year in 1951 Cole rushed 42 times for 252 yards and 1 touchdown. In 1952 Cole played three games for the Browns before joining the Bears.

3. DeShone Kizer

DeShone Kizer (Toledo/Toledo Central Catholic) is often regarded in infamy amongst NFL fans. However, as a rookie quarterback Kizer was pushed into a literally unwinable situation. In 2017 Kizer threw for 2,894 yards, 11 touchdowns and 131 first downs. Following that season Kizer was traded to the Packers.

2. Charlie Frye

Charlie Frye (Willard) played for the Cleveland Browns from 2005 to 2007. In 2006, his sole year as the primary starter, he threw for 2,454 yards and 10 touchdowns along with 115 first downs and a 64.1% completion percentage. In total Frye lead the Browns to 6 wins during his time in Cleveland.

1. Thom Darden

Undoubtably the best Browns player from Northwest Ohio, Thom Darden (Sandusky) played for the Browns from 1972 to 1981. During his time as a Brown Darden was a 3x second team All-Pro (1976, 1978 & 1979), a Pro Bowler (1978) and lead the NFL in interceptions in 1978. Darden was a primary starter at safety every year of his career except for 1975 when he missed the season with a knee injury. Darden finished his career with 45 interceptions which is still a franchise record.