Oberlin, Ohio - The Yeomen welcomed two exciting recruits to the class of 2012 this past Friday at Western Reserve High School for local players Lucas Poggiali and Blake Buckhannon.

Poggiali (6'2” 192, QB Sandusky, Ohio) and Buckhannon (5'10” 195, RB Collins, Ohio) have committed to Oberlin following highly decorated careers on and off the field.

Last fall Poggiali, a duel-threat quarterback out of Sandusky High School, capped off a stellar career that saw him throw for over 3,700 yards, with 800 yards rushing and 47 total touchdowns in just two seasons under center. As a sophomore outside linebacker, he recorded 48 tackles, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one interception in just six games. After leading Sandusky (sixth all-time in Ohio with 616 wins) to a second-straight playoff appearance last season, he was recognized as the Sandusky Register Player of the Year to go with First-Team All-NOL, First-Team All-NW District, Academic All-Ohio and Second-Team All-Ohio honors.

A 10-time scholar athlete, Poggiali captained the football and basketball teams before lighting up the track in the spring. Thrice-selected to the All-GBC team, he was ranked among the region's top distance runners during his sophomore and junior seasons and named the team's Distance Runner of the Year in 2011.

More than an accomplished athlete, Poggiali was an active member of Sandusky's theater department, a regular on the Honor Roll, a member of the National Honors Society and the Class Vice President.

Today he will participate in the Ohio North-South All-Star Classic at Ohio Stadium, an exclusive contest featuring the top high school football players from all divisions in the state.

Buckhannon, a hard-nosed runner with outstanding speed, comes to Oberlin after finishing one of the most accomplished careers in Western Reserve's athletic history.  

The owner of seven school records in football and track and field, he is the school's all-time leader in rushing yards (over 5,000) and scoring (60+ Touchdowns), and led the Roughriders to their first playoff appearance in 20 years in 2010 while also winning the Firelands Conference Championship with an undefeated regular season. Buckhannon also holds school records in the 100 M dash and 4 x 100 relay.

A threat every time he touches the ball, Buckhannon scored 57 touchdowns during his junior and senior seasons while rushing for 1,965 yards to go along with over 400 receiving yards last season. He is a three-time All-District selection (twice named to the first team), a two-time All-Ohio honoree and was named the Firelands' Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2010. Buckhannon also captained the squad during his senior campaign.

Both players will look to make an impact next fall for an offense already ranked among the conference leaders in total yards and scoring.