Wayne Train set to debut tnite vs Reynoldsburg (7pm)

After seeing how the GWOC fared last night, it's time for the main event as the Wayne Warriors look to battle Reynoldsburg (7-3) at Heidkamp Stadium tonight (7pm).

Will the Wayne Train unleash on Reynoldsburg?

  The Warriors have been ranked in the USA Today and National Top 25 polls all season, ranking as high as 8th Nationally.

But tonight they will be tested by a sound  Reynoldsburg squad who has nothing to lose.
 
 They know winning this game could result in legendary status.
And on top of that, they have been in playoff mode for weeks.

However,  the Wayne Train playing in front of its ruckus fans who will generate a 12th man like few places can.

Then there's the team.
With D-1 talent littered all over both sides of the ball, this squad looks focused like no other.

Coach Jay Minton has done a great job of keeping the team hungry, and I'm sure they will be ready tonight.
Could this be the start of the most celebrated Wayne run towards HS Football history?

We think so.

Expect a Wayne win 37-14.

Week 7 Recap: Belmont wins sixth straight, Wayne steamrolls, Troy upsets Trotwood

As we hit the final stretch of HS football, we take a look at the Headlines and results from week 7:

 Belmont shuts out Cincy Prep, wins first City Title in over 35 years 

Bison win first City League title in over 35 years 

After all the years of being the doormat of the City League, the losing times are over.
  Belmont pounded Cincy Prep 38-0 and in the process became the first League Champ of the Cincy - Dayton Public HS Football League merger, and first in 37 years.
Sr. Star 2-way player Davion Lankford ran wild on Prep and the Bison cruised to a huge W in Cincy.


Troy pulls off upset, defeats Trotwood late
The Trojans were able to hold on late to shock the Rams 21-20 in Trotwood.

Trotwood Swarming D

The Rams were coming off a beatdown of Sidney, but Troy was much more game, as the score showed. Trotwood had their chances, but couldn't captialize.
Now Trotwood is 5-2 & makes that playoff berth a lot more challenging. Troy moves to 3-4.


 The Creek' survives the Wildcats, wins late
Beavercreek was able to hold on to a huge win in a epic battle, an albeit sloppy one til late as they defeated Springfield 31-28.
Tim Bradshaw ran for a tough 92 yards, (giving him 1,000 on the season) and 2 big TDs, as the Creek moved to 6-1.
Springfield falls to 2-5.


Meadowdale wins 3rd straight,  defeats Ponitz
The Lions won their 3rd straight game as they took out Ponitz 25-6. The Lions were led by Kevan Hughley and looked solid in the offensive game, while shutting down Ponitz offense.


WayneTrain throttles Fairmont 
While it wasn't another shutout, it was close to being one as Wayne (7-0) jumped out early and won easily. The #2 ranked team in the state continues to roll.


Dunbar shuts down Western Hills
The Wolverines took out some frustrations on the Cincy squad as they routed Western Hills. Dunbar moves to 3-4.

Week 6 recap: Wayne Train rolls, Lions beat Dunbar, Trotwood cruise.

Here's a recap of the key games in Week 6 that went down on Friday:

Wayne shuts out Springfield in rivalry game -
In what most thought would be a battle, turned out to be all Wayne on a rainy night as Matt Wilcox scored on a long TD pass, and RB-WR Daryl McClesky Jr. scored twice in the second half to help Wayne move to 6-0. Maybe the warriors were fired up. But it's been the Wayne Train on a one way ticket to the state.


Meadowdale squeezes past Dunbar -
With both teams trying to make a push for the playoffs, The Lions came out on top as they held the Wolverines late in the game for a big 15-12 win. The Lions move to 3-3, while Dunbar falls to 2-4.


The 'Creek defeats Northmont, moves closer to playoffs -
Although it wasn't pretty, Beavercreek held on for a key win, as Tim Bradshaw scored late to seal the deal. The Beavers (5-1) seems in position for a playoff berth.



Rams roll past Sidney -
Trotwood scored early and often and led comfortably by halftime. Sidney had no match for the vaunted Rams running game. And now standing at 5-1, it looks like the Rams are prepping for another postseason run.


Taft defeats Thurgood -
Cin Taft came in with a game plan and executed it almost to perfection in downing Thurgood 49-7.
Thurgood (2-4) was looking to gain steam for a late push, but had trouble moving the ball throughout the game.

Dream Matchup arrives as Franklin wallops Bellfontaine and Dunbar cruises by Col South; WayneTrain and Springfield collide for State; C-J one win away

 

  When the high school basketball season started in Southwest Ohio there were three teams that were "teams to watch" and two players who were the "players to watch".

2 of those three teams (Wayne, Dunbar, Thurgood) have a chance to get to state...
 and those two players to watch? 

A.J. Harris and Terrance Landers ball out vs Col South

Luke Kennard (Franklin) and A.J. Harris (Dunbar). Oh yeah, and they will play each other.

   The AAU teammates who have been as coveted as it can get in the High School ranks here in Southwest Ohio will face off against each other on Saturday (3pm UD Arena) as perennial contender Dunbar 22-5 will welcome upstart Franklin (25-1) as the stakes couldn't be any higher.

 In the first game, Dunbar defeated Columbus South as South jumped out to a early lead (7-3). Dunbar took a step back and unleashed a fury on South as they dominated the rest of the half to hold a 11-point lead at half 41-30. Terrance Landers and A.J. Harris led the charge.
  
  In the second Dunbar held serve, moved the lead up to as many as 20, before cruising the finish. Landers (13), Harris (20) and Dawson (11) scored double figures and Evan Clayborne led the defense with 7 boards, 3 blocks and a steal. And freshman phenom Devon Baker was solid, with 8pts, 4 boards, 3 assists & a steal.

Col. South was led by Marquez Hargrove (16 pts) and Tamal Watkins (11 & 6 reb) and although their coach was disappointed with the result, he was proud about the season and optimistic about next year.

As for the Franklin - Bellfontaine game?

Franklin, jumped out 17-0 and never looked back. Bellfontaine looked rattled from the start, and by the time their top scorer took his first shot?
It was 3 min left in quarter and down 17.
 No chance.

Evan Crowe, Matt Thompson and Kennard outscored Bellfontaine in the first half themselves. They hit 10 3's and 11 overall - in the 1st half alone.

It was 45-15 in the second, the Wildcats rode that hot shooting, Kennard hot start and deadly playmaking to a rout which had the Wildcats fans in a frenzy.

Now while it was always thought that Dunbar would be here, it was a wonder if Franklin could get here. Well they're here and the matchup is here, so bring it on.
This game could be a Dayton High School classic.



Wayne Train, Springfield to meet up for State Title hopes

When Wayne played in Springfield earlier this year, it turned ugly. Real ugly. Suspension ugly. And since then, there has been some chippiness between the schools. Well, on Saturday night in Cincy, a state berth is on the line.
      The Warriors and Cats both had multiple players suspended, and both programs have since  focused on the game, and have both been on great runs late in the season.
      
    Which team will be able to play the game, and not get caught up in the hype, the desire to pummel its opponent and execute the game plan?
   It has been a amazing run for the Wildcats. I salute them.

But the Wayne Train this year hasn't lost in a regional game yet.
Don't think I'd bet on it either.


C-J defeated Northridge and will move to another regional final. Northridge had a great season, and should be in the regional running for next season.

Dunbar, Franklin, Centerville, C-J, Northridge, Springfield, and Wayne Train remain in State Title Hunt; Dayton teams smack Cincy teams

With so many teams still in the tourney, its no wonder why Dayton is the epicenter for hoops in March. Entering this week, there are 6 teams from Dayton area vying for a spot at state, & there could be as many as 3 teams in the Ohio High School State Championships.
Here's the recap on what went down last weekend:

Dunbar rolls through Cin. McNicholas

Dynamic Backcourt Duo A.J. Harris and Doriane Dawson

Dunbar was much more offensive in this game and AJ Harris and Doriane Dawson led a balanced charge as they defeated Cin McNicholas 69-57. The Wolverines never really seemed in trouble, even with the score under double digits late in the game. Hughes, coming into the game on a hot streak, quite frankly, didn't have enough muscle and only one player who was consistently hitting shots. Assistant Coach Darran Powell felt like the Wolverines were much more offensively in tune, as opposed to the clash with Alter last week.
The Wolverines will take on Col. South (19-6) on Thursday.


Franklin survives with Kennard in foul trouble, defeats Shawnee

Franklin came in with a swagger and a confidence that was brimming from their dismantling of Ponitz last week. But Shawnee provided a valuable lesson to the Wildcats:
Don't sleep on anyone this late in the tourney.

  Shawnee went toe to toe with Kennard and Franklin, grabbing the lead early in the second quarter, and seemingly having momentum. Then the Kennard Show began, and Franklin grabbed the lead back - a lead they would expand to 10 until late in the third, when Kennard picked up his 4th foul.
The entire city of Franklin took a gasp. Could Shawnee take advantage?
No
Senior Forward Austin Doliboa kept the ship steady with a couple of big buckets and Franklin was able to play even with Shawnee for half of the fourth quarter, which was enough time to get Kennard back in the game.
Shawnee got it to 5, but Franklin hit free throws, executed late and will move on to its first Regional in decades winning 62-55.
They will face Bellfontaine (16-9) Thursday night (8pm)


The Wayne Train continues to roll

This season at Wayne has to rank among the best in their sports history, as the Warriors throttled Cin. Milford 63-39. The Warriors had a balanced attack, and have been downright scary in the tourney, winning by a average of 50+ points. The Warriors will be tested in the Regionals, as they face one of the only teams to defeat them - Centerville - next. I'm sure the Warriors will be fired up for the matchup, as they look to avenge the late season loss to the Elks.



Northridge magic ride continues, faces C-J in Regionals
  The Polar Bears (21-2) great ride continues as Northridge defeated Cin Roger Bacon 74-61.  Before the game, there were still some skeptics, as the Polar Bears have reached heights that haven't been attained in decades. When they defeated Stivers last week, it was, "Oh but they will lose to Cincy Schools"
Not so fast my peeps.
Northridge controlled the game, and showed its next opponent (C-J)  that, if you underestimate, you will lose.
Speaking of C-J, the Eagles continued its late season surge with a 61-56 victory over Cin Hills Christian Academy; And now will face Northridge at Trent Arena (Wed) for a chance at another Regional Final.

The "Field" back in the Regionals
Springfield (19-7) is back in the Regionals after a strong showing at UD Arena with a 54-41 thumping of Cin. LaSalle. Danny Davis led the Wildcats and after a average regular season, they haved turned up in the last month or so, and the results are a Regional berth. This, along with a rejuvenated football program, could start a sports rebirth in the "Field" which has been on the downslope in recent years. Up Next: Cin Moeller (18-8)


Dayton Teams punish Cincy schools this year.

Every year the talk of the Districts is: Who wins the battle? In the more recent years, it has been back and forth, but this year? Dayton area schools dominated the matchups, winning all of them.
There is only one Cincy team left in D-1 or D-2 (Moeller) and  2 teams left in D-3 (Purcell Marian & Schroeder).

Heres the final results from the matchups of  Dayton vs Cincy  2015


Dunbar            defeats   McNicholas
Wayne             defeats   Milford
Centerville      defeats   Elder
Northridge      defeats   Roger Bacon
C-J                  defeats   Hills Christian Academy
Springfield     defeats    LaSalle


Noted:
Bellfontaine  defeated Taft
Moeller          defeated  Wilmington

So while every year is different, but for this season?
Dayton won this round of HS hoops