All in the family: 3 generations of Tusky Valley gridders

Sports are an important part of the high school experience for most students in the Tuscarawas Valley, and playing for a school team can generate a passion that spans decades. Such is the case for one family, which has seen three generations of Burrier men play football at Tuscarawas Valley High School at Zoarville. From baby boomer to millennial, Dan Burrier of the class of 1966, Trevor Burrier of the class of 1990, and now Tyler Burrier of the class of 2016 have passed around footballs. All three men currently reside in Dover. When Dan Burrier, now 68, played out his senior year season under coach Jack Bair, the team ended up with a third-in-state ranking. The senior Burrier said the big game that year was against St. Joseph’s, who was also having a stellar season. Playing offensive and defensive tackle positions, Dan Burrier went on to make second team All-Ohio with his stint with the Trojans. Dan Barrier said he still enjoys watching games on television. Trevor Burrier, now 43, also playing offensive and defensive lineman, literally picked up the ball from his father in the 1980s, playing neighborhood football with friends. Ending with a 5-5 season his senior year under coach Dave Tucci, he went on to play for Ashland University for three years as nose guard. For his part in the Burrier football dynasty, 18-year-old Tyler Burrier started out playing in middle school and played through high school, with six total years on the field. The youngest Burrier footballer played wide receiver and cornerback, ending his senior year replicating his dad’s, going 5-5 under Tusky Valley’s head coach George Zagales.All three said they get together when they can to take in a Sunday game on television. “We try and have dinner together and watch a game after,” Tyler Burrier said. Dan Burrier said the three were always fortunate in avoiding getting hurt. “None of us picked up any serious injuries while playing,” he said. “Just a few bruises, scrapes and stitches here and there.”All three are in agreement about their favorite college team, avidly following The Ohio State University Buckeyes. Dan Burrier said OSU is making it much easier to be a fan this year than his favorite pro team, the Cleveland Browns. “I kind of hate to admit to being a fan this year,” he said, “but you have to root for the Browns any year.” While Trevor Burrier is also a Browns fan, young Tyler Burrier varies in his choice of pro team, following the Cincinnati Bengals. Tyler Burrier isn’t the only current athlete in the family; his sister Katie Burrier plays both volleyball and basketball at Tusky Valley. Tyler Burrier said balancing such an active extracurricular schedule first semester year after year with school work was never a serious problem, though he is unsure about following his dad to a college football career. “I haven’t picked a school for next year yet,” he said. The three men span almost all of Tusky Valley Trojan football’s history. The Trojans first officially took the field in 1957 and have fielded teams under 11 different coaches since.