Wayne finds clutch relief in freshman QB against Beavercreek

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By Joseph Stueve, Contributing Writer 1:26 AM Saturday, October 17, 2009

BEAVERCREEK — With his team facing a 5-3 fourth-quarter deficit, Wayne High School head coach Jay Minton decided to plug in quarterback Javon Harrison on Friday, Oct. 16.

With starting quarterback Braxton Miller at receiver, Harrison led the come-from-behind victory as the Warriors defeated Beavercreek 9-5 at Frank Zink Field in a Greater Western Ohio Conference showdown.

“We just had to change up the pace,” said Minton about his stagnant offense.

“(Harrison) has that kind of poise and we’ve seen it previously. He made a play when he had to make a play. Sometimes, you got to change it up.”

Near the end of the third quarter, Minton put the offense on the shoulders of Harrison. The freshman converted two key third-down throws on Wayne’s go-ahead drive. On fourth-and-goal at the 1, Miller stepped back under center and plunged in for the winning score with 3:38 remaining.

Wayne (5-3, 2-1 GWOC) held Beavercreek’s offense to 59 yards in the second half as its defense kept the Warriors in the game. Beavers running back Gabriel Henry was held to 33 yards on 13 carries.

Beavercreek (4-4, 0-3) struck first for a 3-0 lead after a 15-play, 87-yard drive stalled. The Beavers settled for an 18-yard field goal with 2:38 left in the first quarter by senior Nick Gundel.

Miller was 3-of-9 for 22 yards, one interception and 9 yards rushing.

Wayne running back Anthone Taylor served as the Warriors’ only source of offense through three quarters. The junior ran 19 times for 160 yards.

The Beavers’ defense dominated the third quarter. With the Warriors facing a 2nd-and-17 from their own 13, Beavercreek’s Demitrius Garnes wrapped up Miller for a safety. The Beavers took a 5-3 lead into the fourth quarter, only to see it washed away.

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Force Centerville to throw the ball. Over the years the Wayne cornerbacks were to small to stop the Centerville running attack. This year we at Wayne need to put eight guys in the box to force Centerville to throw. Maybe then Tre Moore can get an opportunity to intercept the ball.

Gil
4:59 PM, 10/20/2009

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Minton should be given credit for having the courage and intelligence of switching quarterbacks for the 4th quarter. I hope he sends the game tape to Tressel, Division 1 college coach so that he could learn something.
Coach S and Lance have their own issues in Northmont to keep them busy, but they should always be very welcome at Wayne for Coacn S is the one and only who brought winning football back to Wayne. Friends and I traveling from out of state for the Centerville and OSU games this week

Steve
11:18 AM, 10/18/2009

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Wayne barely beat Beavercreek? I guess 'ol Braxton ain't "all that". Looks like the Elks are going to crush Wayne this year.

Alzado
12:39 PM, 10/17/2009

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Wayne is sorry this year, anyone who wants to beat them is go to the right side of the defense. Mintion has alot of talent but for some reason they won't display it. Maybe it is time to try and get Schinder and his son back in the fold.

Ajax
11:31 AM, 10/17/2009

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