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Home > Blogs > High School Huddle > Archives > 2010 > September > 05 > Entry
Wayne freshman QB gets the call after Miller, Harrison go down with injuries
COLUMBUS - Wayne freshman QB Dorian Hendrix was looking forward to being on the Ohio Stadium field on Sunday, Sept. 5 in the Kirk Herbstreit Classic.
What he wasn’t counting on was running for his life from highly touted Canton McKinley defensive ends Steve Miller and Se’van Pittman.
“It was different,” said Hendrix, who got the call midway through the first quarter when starting QB Javon Harrison was knocked out with a separated right shoulder in the 26-0 loss.
“I wasn’t prepared, but you’ve got to make the most of what you’ve got. … I’ve been with the varsity a little bit with some things going on in practice, but overall, no, I haven’t been getting snaps.”
Harrison got the starting nod when Braxton Miller couldn’t go because of a high ankle sprain he suffered in the previous Week 1 loss to Moeller.
Wayne already was offensively challenged to have anyone other than Miller to produce. Without Miller, the Warriors had no chance.
If his first series was a blur, there wasn’t much for Hendrix to savor afterward. Wayne had just four first downs and 88 total yards.
“To tell you the truth, I can’t really (remember the first series),” Hendrix said.
“It was amazing but at the same time it was nerve-wracking. You just never know what can happen. No matter who you are, you’ve got to be ready. … I was starting to get a little more comfortable, but I’ve got a lot to work on in practice. … I’m just going to tell myself over and over again to be prepared. Get ready every practice like I’m ready to start, even if I don’t.”
Both Harrison and Hendrix are extremely high on the Warriors’ staff as emerging QB’s. No one thought they’d be counted upon this early, though.
Miller should be ready for Seneca (Ky.) in the Week 3 home opener on Friday, Sept. 10. Harrison it out indefinitely.
Two of the biggest reasons that Hendrix had a hard time igniting the Warriors’ offense were Miller and Pittman. Miller, a 6-4, 242-pound senior, has verbally committed to OSU, meaning he’ll join Braxton Miller with the Buckeyes next season.
Pittman, a 6-5, 235 junior, is being recruited by most of the BCS powers, including Ohio State.
They consistently pinched down on the Warriors, who manged just 6 rushing yards. And when Harrison and Hendrix dropped back to pass, the defensive bookends locked in with hurrying results.
“It was tough,” said Wayne sophomore offensive left tackle Lovell Peterson, who was matched vs. Smith most of the long day.
“He’s quick and physical. It showed me that I’ve got a lot to improve on. I’ve got to work harder in practice and the weight room.”
Everyone, including Miller and Harrison, came to Hendrix’s aid once the freshman was inserted into the lineup. It didn’t help.
“We knew that we had a freshman quarterback who hadn’t played any varsity,” Peterson said.
“I tried talking to him and calming him down. There was nothing we could do at that point. We’ve just got to get healthier.”
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment | Categories: Kirk Herbstreit Kickoff Classic
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By broken ankle
September 6, 2010 12:35 AM | Link to this
Miller,……………… Save yourself for the big leagues. Don’t waste your health at the junior level.
By Wildwood Flower
September 6, 2010 1:06 PM | Link to this
Go Warriors! The DDN seems to cover Wayne athletics more extensively when they lose than when they win. Go figure.
By Grandma Wyatt
September 6, 2010 4:38 PM | Link to this
Great point, Wilted Flower. Of course the DDN knows which games Wayne is going to lose. You idiot.
By Rob Mason
September 10, 2010 6:38 PM | Link to this
That Dorian Hendrix, has got a lot of Heart to step up even though they lost-There is a lot of Talent in that Kid, Keep your eye on him and remember this post Predicted “Greatness” for that “Hendrix” Kid….