2024 Season-Ending Interview With State Champion Charlie Donehue from Olentangy Liberty


 

Charlie Donehue

Olentangy Liberty

Defensive End

2025

6’2 260

Awards won or earned: All Conference, All County, District Champ, Conference Champ, Regional Champ, State Champ

What are you going to miss the most from playing high school football?

Playing beside my teammates and lifelong friends.

What mark do you believe your class left on the Liberty football program?

As a class, I believe we were all great leaders. Every senior was trying to help coach up the younger guys and prepare them for their time on the varsity field.

What do you feel winning the state title will do for future Liberty football teams?

Bringing home the state title to Liberty has set a new standard not just for Liberty but also for public schools and all of central Ohio football. 

Was playing in Tom Benson Stadium as good as everyone says it is?

It was amazing; the atmosphere was like nothing I have ever played in. It’s always been a dream, and to finally do it was something special.

What were your feelings when you realized you guys were going to take state?

To be honest, it was something our team has been expecting all year. We set a goal of becoming state champs and worked at it all year. I am extremely proud of our team for sticking to that goal and getting it done.

What makes you a good teammate?

I think the number one quality I bring to the table is selflessness. Playing d-line is a position that requires you to put yourself and your own stat line aside so that your teammates can make plays.

Where on the field do you believe you are best?

I’m best with my hand in the dirt down in the trenches. It’s a battle every play at the line of scrimmage, and I love everything about it.

Looking back at just the road games that you played, which stadium was the toughest to play in, along with the reason it was so tough?

Upper Arlington is always a really hard environment to play in. Their fans and community always show out, so that mixed with the history of our two programs causes games between us to be really close.

During your high school career, who was the best team that you played, along with the reasons you believe they were so good?

I would say the best team we played was either Pickerington North or St. Ed’s. Pick North was by far the most athletic and talented program we have seen. Eds is extremely well-coached and disciplined, which made it hard to pick apart their offense. 

Fans and media members are always talking about the size of the crowd and the effect it has on the players. So, does a big or small crowd affect you at all?

I always love to play in front of a big crowd, but when I’m out on the field, I try to tune everything out and focus on the next play.

What has been the best and worst part of the recruiting process?

The best part is definitely seeing all of your hard work pay off. One hard part about it is the portal and the complications that come with it.

Would you share with the readers some of the schools that are recruiting you?

I have offers from Mercyhurst, Charleston, Edinboro, Thomas-Moore, and Wheeling. Some other schools that are recruiting me are Toledo, Davidson, Dayton, Valparaiso, and others.

If you are invited to play in any of the all-star games, will you? Explain

I am going into wrestling season, so I won’t be playing in any more games.

Outside of sports, what are you doing for fun?

Hanging out with friends and watching sports.

What is your favorite home-cooked meal?

Steak

Who are your role models?

My parents

 


 

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