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Pirates football makes the grade

$\uFEFFRob Berger, the head football coach at West Carrollton High School, watches as his players run during a September practice. The Pirates \uFEFFposted their first eight-win season since 1989 and made the playoffs.$

Ron Alvey \uFEFFRob Berger, the head football coach at West Carrollton High School, watches as his players run during a September practice. The Pirates \uFEFFposted their first eight-win season since 1989 and made the playoffs.

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By Dave Lamb, Contributing Writer 4:57 PM Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Here’s the perfect gift for some of the area’s top athletes, coaches and teams: The Lamber Awards for the 2009 fall sports season.

Best Turnaround Strategy: From day one with his West Carrollton football team, first-year coach Rob Berger stressed focus, concentration and attention to detail. He felt some of that could be addressed in the classroom because too many players were underachieving. His message was that they wouldn’t improve on the field until they improved in the classroom.

The coach emphasized academics, including a study table every Thursday before practice, and he was supported by athletic director Rob Dement’s weekly eligibility standards. During Week 10, the coach announced a collective GPA of 3.04, and no player was below 2.0. The coach strongly believes their increased focus carried over to the playing field, resulting in fewer penalties and blown assignments. West Carrollton posted its first eight-win season since 1989 and qualified for the playoffs.

Most Dynamic Duo: Was there a better combination than quarterback Dusty Isaacs and wide receiver Chase Cochran from Lebanon? A couple of thoroughbreds. Cochran, who will play next year at Ohio University, earned first-team All-Ohio Division I honors after hauling in 39 catches for 1,070 yards and 16 touchdowns. Isaacs, who will pitch next year for Georgia Tech, threw for 2,019 yards and 23 TDs in guiding the GWOC’s top offense.

Best Game (by air): Piqua’s defensive backs are still seeing Cochran in their sleep after he caught a school-record 12 passes for 288 yards. Isaacs also set a school record with 412 yards passing by completing 21 of 27 in a 49-28 win.

Best Game (by ground): Waynesville’s Seth Millar set the school’s single-game rushing record with 333 yards and six TDs on 19 carries in a 55-24 win over Dixie.

Most Perfect: Waynesville’s Alyssa Richie won 33 straight matches to win the Division II state tennis singles title. She didn’t lose a set until the state final.

Most Welcome: Miamisburg, which started its boys soccer program in 1979, won its first league title. The Vikings, coached by Ric Campbell, captured the GWOC South Division. They also knocked off Springboro for the first time in 12 years.

Best Timing: Carlisle’s young golf team, which graduated its top three players from the previous year, peaked at the right time. The Indians, coached by Kevin Witt, won the SWBL tournament. Freshman Brad Paynter led the way with a 78.

Most Patient: Miamisburg golfer Jamie Witt played in the first tee time at the sectional, then patiently waited for two hours to see if her 86 would hold up. Witt, who had never played on a regulation 18-hole course before this year, earned a trip to the district.

Best Balance: Waynesville’s Lauren Price was a threat to score or to set up her teammates. She finished the soccer season with 26 goals and 26 assists for the 17-2-1 team. Price was named the D-II player of the year by the Miami Valley Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association.

Most Dependable: Miamisburg midfielder Alyssa Carmack was a rock. Carmack, who’s headed to Bowling Green on a scholarship, was one of the leading soccer scorers in the GWOC and a peerless field general. Her best game came in a 6-4 win over Sidney when she delivered two goals and three assists.

Best Return: Rick Bostater, who was part of the coaching staff that started Dayton Christian football eight years ago, returned as the head coach.

Most Inspirational: Nothing defeats the spirit of Miamisburg cross country runner Jenna Parlette, who competes with a defibrillator to regulate her irregular heartbeat.

Best News: West Carrollton finally received a league invitation from the GWOC.

Best Bonus: On a day he set the school record for career touchdown passes, Waynesville QB Cory Young also rushed for 127 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown run against Madison.

Best Reload: Valley View’s football team made yet another trip to the playoffs despite starting the year with just two returning starters.

Best Boost: After starting each of the past two seasons at 1-3, Carlisle’s football team made its first playoff appearance since 2004.

Best Finish: Valley View’s Jake Kasperski and Miamisburg’s Megan Wright both earned All-Ohio honors in their final trip to the state cross country meet.

Top Returner: Carlisle’s Jordan Jacobs returned two kickoffs (95 and 80 yards) for touchdowns in the same game against Oakwood.

Contact this writer with story ideas at (937) 847-8435 or d_lamb@msn.com.

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