A Look Back at Metheny's Sherando Career
Sherando quarterback Ross Metheny shows of his athletic ability during the game against James Wood. He would later suffer a season ending injury during the 4th quarter....
Photo By: Marc Gold / Gameday | VIEW GALLERY
Quarterback Ross Metheny looks for an open receiver downfield during a home game at Arrowhead Stadium...
Photo By: Jeff Schryver / Gameday | VIEW GALLERY
Sherando's Ross Metheny shows why he was one of the best quarterbacks to play in the area in a long time. Not only did he beat teams with his arm, he showcased his ability to elude defenders with his legs...
Photo By: Marc Gold / Gameday | VIEW GALLERY
STEPHENS CITY, VA - Late in the 2008 football season, Sherando senior quarterback Ross Metheny underwent surgery to repair a season ending torn ACL suffered in the 4th quarter of the game against James Wood. It would be the end of an era for the 4 year Sherando starter....
My focus of this column is simply to highlight the accomplishments of one of the best quarterbacks to play in this state in a long time. Four years ago, I stood in the football office at Potomac Falls high school talking with several of the Panther coaches about the region's future stars. Former head coach Casey Childs, who was from Clarke County, told me that Sherando had a freshman who was tearing up opposing defenses.
I didn't pay much attention to it at the time, but the more I discussed quarterbacks with other coaches, the same name kept coming up; Ross Metheny.
I didn't see Metheny play until he was a sophomore, the same year Gameday expanded its coverage to Winchester and the West Virginia Panhandle. My good friend and fellow Gameday publisher Kip Shallis told me that Metheny was the best the region had to offer, even as a 10th grader.
I told Kip that I had to see this kid myself before I could believe that, and so I took him up on the offer to watch # 15 for the first time. It only took one time in person to realize that the Warriors were going to be tough to beat for the coming years with Metheny at the helm.
The 2007 season turned out to be Metheny's coming out party, as he led the Warriors to an appearance in the state championship game. The journey to the final game was incredible, highlighted by a 3 touchdown come from behind performance against James Wood in the first round of the playoffs. Metheny and crew then dominated Park View, and in the state semi-finals, the left handed quarterback made play after play to will his team to the finals.
Defending champion Amherst was loaded with talent, and awaited Sherando in the finals, but like he had done so many times, Metheny led his Warriors into battle without fear. With his leadership, Sherando went right down the field and took the lead. Then late in the second quarter with the Warriors leading 10-7 and driving again, a broken ankle put Metheny out for the game. The season finished with a 56-10 defeat, but every Warrior fan believed they would have won the game if their leader hadn't gone down. I'm not so sure I would disagree.
I witnessed that James Wood comeback in person, and I became a big fan of Metheny that day. He showed me, like everyone else in attendance, that he could take a game over, and carry his teammates to victory when they needed him most.
During the off-season, Metheny did everything he could to get back to 100%, and by the summer, he was stronger than ever.
Against James Wood in 2008, Metheny played like the seasoned veteran he was, throwing for 403 yards and 2 touchdowns. With an opportunity to lead his team on the game winning drive, Metheny took the Warriors deep inside Colonel territory.
Then, showing he was human like the rest of us, Metheny tossed an interception, and after making a valiant effort to tackle the defender, his left knee gave out. The Sherando defense proceeded to make a goal-line stand, and they gave the ball back to their signal caller one last time with 0:47 seconds left.
Metheny jogged onto the field limping horribly, and right then, it was apparent something wasn't right with his leg. He could barely put weight on it, but none of us knew the extent of the injury.
On 1st and 10 from the 1 yard line, Metheny dropped back in his end-zone and delivered a perfect strike to teammate Dalton Boyd, who nearly took the pass to the house. Metheny could barely make it back to the line of scrimmage in time to kill the clock, but he found a way.
Two plays later, Metheny threw a pass to the far sideline, and during the pass, he didn't use his left leg whatsoever. The throw still had enough on it to complete it, but again, it was evident he was really injured.
The Warriors missed the ensuing field goal attempt and lost the game. It was later discovered that Metheny played that final drive with a completely torn ACL. Imagine the heartache his teammates felt for their leader knowing his season was over, and at the same time, the admiration.
Season ending knee injuries aren't supposed to happen to players like Metheny, the game needs them too much. His team needs him too much. That's my opinion anyway. It wasn't supposed to end this way, or then again, maybe it was.
His legacy is now etched in stone as the toughest quarterback to ever put on the Warrior uniform. Ten years from now people will tell others about the night Metheny led Sherando down the field on one good leg, and the heart of a champion. He left nothing on the field in his last game, and that is how it is supposed to be. It's how his playing days will be remembered by me for sure.
Sure all of the great passes and wins are fond memories too, but as a sports fan, there are some moments that live in infamy. Metheny's heroics that night against James Wood will for sure live forever in my mind when I think of Sherando football.
I know Ross wanted to win a championship, but sometimes those aren't in the cards. All you can do as an athlete is do your best, work your hardest, and be a great teammate. I guarantee you that every young man on that Sherando roster would say Metheny did all of those things and more.
The lesson every player should learn from this story is to never take a day of playing the game you love for granted. It could end in one play. Even if your team is losing, enjoy every minute you have on the field. High school football is about having fun, and before you know it, you will blink and be 15 years removed from those memories like I am. It goes fast, so make the most of every snap.
Metheny's legacy will be one that many will speak fondly of for a long time to come, and any young man that was fortunate enough to play alongside him, will take away the experience and memories of being a teammate to one of the most complete athletes to come this way in a long time.
Looking back on his career, I feel confident in saying that it will be some time before we see another Ross Metheny take the region by storm for four consecutive years. He is a rare athlete, and like the many that packed Arrowhead Stadium on Friday nights, I am one fan that feels lucky to have watched this young man play. And if I had to choose one guy to lead my team down the field with under a minute to go, the conversation starts and ends with Ross Metheny.
He was the ultimate team player, a great leader, and the ultimate Warrior.
