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HIGH SCHOOL Football WEEK 9

Are 2 QBs better than 1 at Wayne?

With Miller back from injury, coaches get more creative.

Wayne High School quarterback Javon Harrison warms up before the Northmont game Oct. 2. With star Braxton Miller back from a deep thigh bruise injury, the Warriors are trying to get both signal-callers on the field at the same time.

Staff photo by Chris Stewart Wayne High School quarterback Javon Harrison warms up before the Northmont game Oct. 2. With star Braxton Miller back from a deep thigh bruise injury, the Warriors are trying to get both signal-callers on the field at the same time.

ENLARGE PHOTO

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By Kyle Nagel, Staff Writer Updated 4:31 AM Friday, October 23, 2009

HUBER HEIGHTS — The Wayne High School football locker room is filled with sheets of paper detailing the Warriors’ possible playoff fate.

A printout of the Division I, Region 4 computer points is filled with motivational lines. It alerts the players that No. 9, where the Warriors now stand, isn’t good enough.

“You have to beat Centerville,” Wayne coach Jay Minton said. “That’s the key.”

Wayne (5-3) will get its shot tonight, Oct. 23, when it hosts Centerville (7-1) in the Dayton Daily News Game of the Week. An injury to junior quarterback Braxton Miller in Week 4 has changed the way the Warriors will offensively approach the game.

Miller, often rated as one of the state’s top juniors, suffered a deep thigh bruise in Wayne’s 21-19 defeat of Trotwood-Madison on Sept. 18. The backup is a freshman, Javon Harrison, who subbed for Miller in losses to Troy and Northmont.

Now, with Miller healthy, Wayne coaches are getting creative. Last week against Beavercreek, Harrison relieved Miller (who stayed on the field as a receiver) to jump-start the sputtering offense and help the Warriors to a 9-5 win to keep them in playoff contention.

Minton said Harrison’s performance has made coaches confident he can be used in relief — and for unique formations and plays — if necessary.

“You start dabbling with it in practice, and you say, ‘Hmm, maybe we can expand on this a little bit,’ ” Minton said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7389  or knagel@DaytonDailyNews.com.

Striking distance

Entering the final two weeks of the regular season, Wayne is one of several area Division I teams battling for a playoff spot. The top eight teams in each region make the playoffs.

Division I, Region 4

1. St. Xavier (7-1)

2. Moeller (8-0)

3. Anderson (8-0)

4. Elder (6-2)

5. Middletown (8-0)

6. Centerville (7-1)

7. Lebanon (6-2)

8. Lakota West (7-1)

9. Wayne (5-3)

10. Northmont (4-4)

11. Springboro (7-1)

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42-20 Hopper and with 1 QB. WTG WARRIORS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WHSFAN89
11:33 PM, 10/23/2009

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I agree with hopper. Wayne has an undersized offensive line but you never know in football. I live in south dayton but will be cheering for Wayne even though they have little hope of winning. In a few years if my grandkids play on the Elks I'll be changing to an Elks fan.

dale1
3:15 PM, 10/23/2009

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Would not help if Wayne has three outstanding QB'S fot this game. Elks too strong.

hopper
10:11 AM, 10/23/2009

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