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Wayne, Trotwood-Madison make GWOC statements
Wayne took center stage Saturday night. And it didn’t want to disappoint.
“We knew this was a statement game,” said Warriors running back Anthone Taylor after an impressive 28-14 dismantling of previously unbeaten and defending Division I state champion Hilliard Davidson at Welcome Stadium in a D-I state semifinal.
“We wanted to show the whole nation what we were coming with. We got to show the state of Ohio; don’t sleep on the GWOC. We weren’t just doing this for us. We were doing this for all of Dayton.”
At least for one season, Greater Western Ohio Conference football has elevated itself to heights previously unreachable.
Wayne (11-3) earned a D-I state-title date next Saturday against Lakewood St. Edward (14-0) at Canton. And the Warriors will be joined by GWOC brethren Trotwood-Madison, which earned its D-II title berth with a thrilling 34-27 comeback defeat of Uniontown Lake on Friday.
That’s two GWOC teams in the largest division state finals in the same season. Cleveland, Columbus and mighty Cincinnati D-I stud teams? Long gone.
“It’s always been good (area D-I football), and we know it around here, but I hope now people outside can feel it,” Wayne coach Jay Minton said.
“That’s not going to happen unless we go up there and get this next one.”
Centerville (twice) and Wayne (1999) are the only other area teams to advance to the D-I state title game. That was the state-wide knock on area D-I football, great players with underachieving teams. Not this season.
“We don’t have any scrub teams right here,” Warriors receiver Seth Stuart said.
“Us and Trotwood will represent the GWOC well. We’re there now; we can say it’s magic.”
Wayne had to hold its collective breath after the final game of the regular season just to see if it would qualify for the playoffs. It did, as the last No. 8 seed. Good enough.
“We knew once we got in we could go all the way,” senior linebacker Teven Williams said. “We just had to get in.
“It just shows how the GWOC is and how much talent is in the conference.”
No one is denying the effect that quarterback Braxton Miller has had on the program for four seasons. Of course this team is more than Miller, but it begins with number 5.
Sharp when he was needed most in the three previous playoff games, Miller was unstoppable against a defense that was labeled among the state’s best.
“We’ve been saying this (win state) since my freshman year, but it’s here now,” Miller said.
“ We’ve just got to put it away.”
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Football playoffs
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By Hawk
December 1, 2010 12:32 PM | Link to this
Good Luck to Wayne and Trotwood. You have fought to be where you are and deserve this ride.
By PROUD
December 1, 2010 6:32 PM | Link to this
Wayne/Trotwood you have already made us proud so anything else is Icing on the Cake. GOOD LUCK one more game to give it your best and its over. Hold head up high as Proud Winners knowing you will not lose.