Trotwood runs to big first-round win

RB Antwan Gilbert puts 244 yards and four TDs on Mount Healthy in 41-6 Division II rout.

Trotwood running back Antwan Gilbert carries the ball for another touchdown late in the second quarter in game against Mount Healthy Friday, Nov. 6, at Trotwood.

Staff photo by Jan Underwood Trotwood running back Antwan Gilbert carries the ball for another touchdown late in the second quarter in game against Mount Healthy Friday, Nov. 6, at Trotwood.

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Trotwood-Madison High School running back Antwan Gilbert (right) carries the football around Mount Healthy’s Eric Norman for a first-quarter touchdown run Friday, Nov. 6, at Trotwood.

Staff photo by Jan Underwood Trotwood-Madison High School running back Antwan Gilbert (right) carries the football around Mount Healthy’s Eric Norman for a first-quarter touchdown run Friday, Nov. 6, at Trotwood.

ENLARGE PHOTO

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By Doug Harris, Staff Writer 1:42 AM Saturday, November 7, 2009

TROTWOOD — Mount Healthy opened its high school football playoff game against Trotwood-Madison with an onside kick (it failed).

The Owls also tried a fake punt from deep in their territory in the first quarter (it flopped).

Maybe the visitors from northern Cincinnati felt compelled to dig deep into their bag of tricks because the thought of surrendering the ball to the Rams’ Antwan Gilbert was so terrifying.

The junior running back racked up 244 yards and four touchdowns — 211 of his rushing total and all four scores coming in the first half — to lead Trotwood to a 41-6 rout in a Division II clash Friday, Nov. 6.

The Rams (8-3) will take a six-game winning streak into a meeting with top-seeded and undefeated Turpin in the second round Nov. 13 at a site to be determined.

“They had big defensive linemen, but they were slow reacting to the ball,” Gilbert said. “Our offensive line opened up wide holes.”

Trotwood coach Maurice Douglass played for the Chicago Bears with Walter Payton and said Gilbert has the same work habits of the NFL legend.

“He’s one of those guys who, when we need a running back for the scout team, wants to be the scout team running back,” said Douglass, who also raved about his offensive line.

“People said our linemen were fat guys and out of shape, but they’re not fat,” he said. “They’re just big. ... I wouldn’t trade our guys for anybody’s.”

Gilbert has had a season full of gorgeous runs and added a few beauties to the bunch, juking his way to TD runs of 39, 1, 78 and 5 yards. He has 2,275 rushing yards and 29 TDs this season.

“They’re loaded with great athletes,” Owls coach Arvie Crouch said. “They’re a great team. They’re huge upfront. We knew we’d have our hands full. We just wanted to come out and give our best effort, and I think we did that.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2125 or dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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