The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

CJ puts itself ‘back on the map'

Eagles topple Waynesville, now get Clinton-Massie.

CJ wide receiver Wesley Lumpkin avoids the tackle of Waynesville defensive back Nathan Forward and runs for a touchdown in the first half of their Division IV playoffs at Centerville High School Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011.

E.L. Hubbard CJ wide receiver Wesley Lumpkin avoids the tackle of Waynesville defensive back Nathan Forward and runs for a touchdown in the first half of their Division IV playoffs at Centerville High School Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Photos: CJ vs. Waynesville

High school sports results for May 26
5/26/12
Wayne boys win team track title
5/25/12
Bellbrook tennis duo advances to semifinals
5/25/12
Jefferson grad takes lessons from Miami Heat cousin
5/25/12
T-Bolts excited for state debut
5/25/12
> More high school headlines

By Marc F. Pendleton, Staff Writer Updated 2:07 AM Sunday, November 13, 2011

CENTERVILLE — Darrien Howard best summed up Chaminade Julienne’s high school football season following Saturday night’s convincing 30-17 defeat of previously unbeaten Waynesville.

“We’re back,” the much-recruited junior linebacker/fullback said. “CJ’s back on the map and we ain’t goin’ nowhere.”

Actually, the Eagles (9-3) are headed to the Division IV, Region 16 final next week against Clinton-Massie (10-2), a 24-10 winner over Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy. The neutral site will be announced today.

Howard had 11 tackles, intercepted standout Waynesville quarterback Luke Creditt and also recovered a fumble to put a personal stamp on another Eagles’ defensive gem. But he wasn’t the only shining star.

CJ junior running back Brandon Payne rumbled for a career-high 208 yards rushing and had touchdown runs of 15 and 12 yards, the last with 1:00 remaining to finally clinch the hard-fought win.

“This is amazing,” Payne said. “We’re back and we’re trying to make a mark and go all the way. We kind of slacked off for a few years but we’re getting back to it now. I feel really good about us.”

Label CJ in full recovery mode following a 0-2 start. The Eagles hadn’t been in the playoffs since 2005 and should they beat C-M, will advance to the state semifinals.

It was a stinging loss for Waynesville. The Spartans pulled even at 7-all when Creditt flipped the first of two TD passes to Ty Black. Caleb Keeton’s 30-yard field goal chipped CJ’s lead to 24-17 late in the fourth quarter and Waynesville recovered an onside kick. But QB/DB Sam Spees ended the threat with a clutch interception for CJ.

“It hurts,” said a dejected Creditt, who led the Spartans with 113 yards rushing and completed 19 of 39 passes for 205 yards.

“We had big dreams and we almost got it done, but it just slipped away from us.”

Count Waynesville coach Brandon Philpot as a CJ believer.

“They have a great opportunity to go on and win a state title,” he said after guiding the Spartans to an 11-1 run in just his second season as head coach.

CJ’s Marco Gresham matched Howard with 11 stops, two sacks and a forced fumble.

It was a rare matchup of the Greater Catholic League North (CJ) vs. the best of the Southwestern Buckeye League.

“We’ve seen some really good football teams that have prepared us for this matchup and I think it showed,” CJ coach Marcus Colvin said. “We’re just tough.”

Share this article