Surrounded by family in the Media Center, Frontier High School senior JD Schmidt signs his celebratory letter of intent to play football and study criminal justice at Muskingum University. Left to right, Grandparents Doug and Joani Reese; mother Janetta; JD; father Johnny; sister Jamison; and grandfather John Schmidt. (Photo Provided)

NEW MATAMORAS — Frontier senior JD Schmidt recalls watching a YouTube video of an old school Beallsville football player running off the field celebrating after a win.

“It was like a rugged warrior,” said Schmidt, who announced his commitment to play football at Muskingum University Wednesday. “I told my dad coming into the season that I wanted to recreate that image.”

During a game against Magnolia, with a spot in the playoffs at stake, the Frontier defense needed a stop. Schmidt, playing middle linebacker, read the quarterback’s eyes off the snap and stepped in front of the pass for an interception. Also the quarterback for FHS, Schmidt ran for a first down to drain the clock and secure the victory. Following the win, he ran off the field celebrating in a similar fashion to the Beallsville player he watched on YouTube.

Schmidt is hoping to be a part of more highlights like that with the Fighting Muskies, a Division III program which competes in the Ohio Athletic Conference.

“I wanted to play somewhere I could make a difference and be the best I could be,” Schmidt said. “I visited the Muskingum campus, and it felt like home. They’re working to become bigger and better, which is what I’m about.”

The Muskies are getting a talented, versatile player in Schmidt. A four-year starter for the Cougars, Schmidt has played “just about every position but lineman” during his football career. He’s unsure of what his role will be at the college level, but was told he “might play a little bit of everywhere. I’m looking forward to being the best Muskie I can be.”

Frontier football coach Russ Morris knows firsthand what kind of player and person Muskingum recruited.

“They’re getting not only a great athlete but an outstanding young man who works his tail off and does things the right way on the field, in the classroom and in everyday life,” Morris said.

“He plays at 100 miles-per-hour all the time. He doesn’t take plays off. He sets an example for the younger kids. I’m proud of him and excited he’s going to further his playing career and his education.”

The son of Janetta and Johnny Schmidt of New Matamoras, JD is on track for the honors diploma and in the top 20 percent of his class while enrolled in College Credit Plus courses. He is a two-year member of the National Honor Society and has volunteered as a Mentor and Tutor in one of Frontier’s elementary buildings. Outside of school, Schmidt is involved in his church youth group and runs a lawn care service. He has volunteered with Cougar Youth Football, Kay’s Closet, and his church among other community events.

On the field, Schmidt earned several accolades following his senior season, including honorable mention All-Ohio, first team All-East District; first team All-OVAC and All-MOVL.

As a senior, he completed 90 of 172 pass attempts for 1,140 yards and 13 touchdowns while rushing 94 times for 446 yards and eight more scores. Defensively, he racked up 112 tackles, four interceptions and three sacks. He helped the Cougars go 17-11 over the last three seasons, including a pair of playoff berths.

“It’s been an honor to be his coach,” Morris said. “He’s a top-notch kid on and off the field. His work ethic is second to none. He didn’t succeed by accident — he worked to achieve that.”

Schmidt has been influenced by his late grandmother Susan, who died of cancer last year, his father Johnny, who has “always been there for me,” and former NFL player and Army veteran Pat Tillman, who put his football career on pause to serve in the Afghanistan war. He died in combat in 2004.

“I’ve been a big fan of (Tillman) forever,” Schmidt explained. “I wasn’t alive to watch him, but I was always on YouTube as a kid and would watch his highlights. He is kind of like me — undersized, a good player but maybe not the best, but had a great work ethic. That’s my mentality. No matter what, no one can take my work ethic away.”

Jordan Holland can be reached at jholland@mariettatimes.com.