Trailing 21-7, Wayne rallied to 21-all before repeated lightning delays resulted in a stoppage. Wood, which has won three state titles since 2012, opted not to return and finish Saturday due to prior weekend commitments of several key players.
Minton said he was informed by Ohio High School Athletic Association assistant commissioner Beau Rugg the game would be ruled as a rare tie. Other possibilities were a forfeit (in Wayne’s favor) or a no-contest, which would have cut Wayne’s divisor for computer points down to nine games.
Scoring for Wayne included a Fred Pitts 11-yard run, a 36-yard strike from quarterback Rashad McKee to Trew Davis and a 22-yard run by Ray James to pull even. Garrett Russell converted all the extra-point kicks.
“We took their best shot because after that we settled down and moved the ball and looked better all the way around,” Minton said. “We had them on the ropes, I knew that.”
RELATED: Wayne beats Moeller, 24-22
McKee gave it his best shot, and his reward is the Warriors’ No. 1 QB following a spirited five-way positioning for the top spot. That was one of the few open positions going into the season, at least offensively. The talented sophomore will be backed up by junior Tyler Carter.
Wayne coaches didn’t decide on McKee until after the game.
RELATED: Wayne chasing elusive state title
“Rashad is the guy who has the most upside,” Minton said. “He’s got to start working toward that. He’ll be the guy right now. If we need a spark, Tyler will be able to come in and do that. We’ve had that happen before here.”
There is no schedule letup, not with Moeller visiting in Week 2. Moeller wore out Lakota West 47-14 in its opener, all of which was delayed until Saturday. But it’s been Wayne who’s had the best of this brewing series. Wayne beat Moeller 24-22 in Week 2 last season, a rare non-playoff year for the Crusaders (5-5). Wayne also beat Moeller 29-22 in a D-I state semifinal in 2014.
Moeller last beat Wayne 43-21 in a first-round D-I playoff game in 2012. It could be the last of a two-game regular-season series between the teams.
“We may have to resort to playing them again,” Minton said. “We’re shopping around. I know one thing; we’re going to try and stay in state.”
• Kent State University is honoring Wayne grad Jason Bitsko by awarding his No. 54 jersey to sophomore center Stefano Million of Massillon. Bitsko died while sleeping following a preseason practice in 2014. KSU wore a No. 54 sticker helmet that season, but the number went unused until now.
The jersey wearer was voted upon by team members for someone “with the same pride, passion and devotion Jason Bitsko displayed throughout his life,” according to a statement. “The bearer of the jersey would hold himself to highest standards and take responsibility for the growth and continuity of teammates.”
Kent State opens the season at Penn State on Saturday.
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