ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The coaching staffs for the 79th annual OVAC Rudy Mumley All-Star Football Game have been announced.

Ohio will be led by Union Local and head coach Bernie Thompson, while Tim Brown and Cameron will head up West Virginia. Neither are strangers to the star-studded game, which is scheduled for Saturday, July 19 at Wheeling Island Stadium.

Thompson will be making his third appearance in the mid-summer classic as he served as a team captain for the Buckeye State in 2010 and then was a member of Bruce Stiles’ Union Local staff as an assistant eight years later.

“This is a very important game. It’s a big game for the entire Ohio Valley. It’s very special,” Thompson said. “I’m just honored to be a part of it.”

Thompson and his staff led Union Local to a school-record nine victories in 2024 and a road upset of Nelsonville-York in the first round of the Division V, Region 19 playoffs.

“It means that all the hard work we’ve put in over the past few years is paying off and people are starting to take notice,” he said. “I’m extremely grateful to have a group of guys around me that work extremely hard. A couple of years ago we were 0-10, and to now have a season that we had, win nine games and make it to the second round of the playoffs, it was truly special.

“I’m beyond proud of what our senior class achieved. They are special to me, and they know that,” Thompson said. “They have set a new standard at Union Local. They will be missed, not only for their football talents, but for their leadership abilities.

“I’m just happy that people are noticing all the hard work we’ve been putting in here in Morristown,” he added. “I’m so happy for my coaching staff.”

That staff includes defensive coordinator Vaughn Butler, offensive coordinator Anthony Rocchio; offensive and defensive line coaches Ryan Kutcher and Tony Gregor; linebackers Tyler Grant; and defensive backs and wide receivers Jim Hess; along with UL Football Consultant Shawn Thompson, Bernie’s father, who also played in the game.

Brown and his staff led the Dragons to an improbable appearance in the Class A state championship game last December in Charleston. Although they fell to Wahama, they represented the northern panhandle very well. They dropped the first game of the season before reeling off 12 straight wins, including a lop-sided 36-0 triumph at No. 1 ranked Tug Valley in the semifinals.

“The Cameron football staff and community members could not be more honored and grateful to have been selected to coach the OVAC All-Star game this summer. My sincere congratulations go out to all players nominated for the game from West Virginia and Ohio, and to those who will accept the invitation to play in the near future,” Brown said. “Congratulations and good luck to the Ohio staff and team members.

“Having grown up in the Ohio Valley has given me a deep respect for this All Star Game and its rich tradition of great players, coaches and athletes,” Brown added. “I have been blessed to help coach this game in the past as an assistant coach with Jim Rogers. I have also been blessed to coach a few other all-star games in central Ohio in 2008.

“This one will be special to me forever because our 2024 Cameron Dragons football team, with an amazing season, gave our staff this opportunity. Because of our players and the support of our community, we have this blessed opportunity to coach an amazing group of Ohio Valley athletes.

“Thank you Cameron, and the OVAC administration for believing in us.”

The Cameron staff includes Gibbs Davidson, Jacob Berger, Derek Martin, Jim Rogers, Shawn Fullerton, Jason Dalesio, Matt Wiseman, Toby Brown and Tucker Brown.