Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
BAINBRIDGE — For decades, Paint Valley’s football program has been known to churn out tough-nosed players with one-track mindsets focused on winning.
Colton Yoakum fits that description perfectly.
The junior linebacker seemed to always have his hat in the ring this past season, serving as one of the team’s defensive leaders with 74 tackles and an interception. He was seemingly everywhere, flying to the football and pushing his teammates to do the same.
Some kids are just born to be football players. Yoakum is one of those kids. And he’s well aware of the responsibilities that come with being a Bearcat.
“My love and passion for football came from just going to Paint Valley my whole life,” Yoakum said. “Seeing all the grades ahead of me be so successful at what they did, I wanted to be a part of it.”
Yoakum’s play on the defensive side of the football helped Paint Valley finish 8-4 overall this fall, including a 5-2 mark in the Scioto Valley Conference.
And, on the offensive side, he was just as remarkable. At his guard position, he helped PV rack up a school record 5,271 yards. He was often the one paving the way for the Bearcats’ backs to extend drives and score.
CREDIT: Marissa Spradlin/SOSA
The end of the season, as always, came too soon. But before a Week 12 loss to Cincinnati Country Day, Paint Valley earned the program’s 16th playoff berth and 11th postseason win — a 37-23 decision over Rockford Parkway.
Because of the way he played and his leadership throughout his junior season, Yoakum is SOSA’s Pickaway-Ross Athlete of the Month.
“The key to success this past season was everyone being all in from the start,” Yoakum said. “That’s what made this season so special. I’m in commercial carpentry at Pickaway-Ross. There are so many opportunities I have coming out of high school with that trade.”
Looking for opportunities is something Yoakum has become excellent at doing — both on the field and in the classroom.
His decision to attend Pickaway-Ross has provided an opportunity to get a head start in his eventual profession.
“Pickaway-Ross, I feel, shows you what it’s like to be on a job site which is good for experience,” Yoakum said. “I feel that it prepares you for coming out of high school, knowing more when you first start on a job.”
With an idea of what he’s going to do after he graduates high school, he also has an idea of what he’d like to accomplish during his senior football season.
“My goal for next season is a Gold Ball,” Yoakum said. “We missed our opportunity this year and I’m going to better myself this next season by just putting in more work than I did this past season. I’m going to keep everyone locked in next season.”
