It couldn’t have been more prophetic, and almost nightmarish for the Warriors.
»RELATED: Beavercreek tops Fairmont
»RELATED: Week 5 Scoreboard
»RELATED: Genslinger powers Valley View
»RELATED: ‘Big back’ Smoot leads Springfield
Wayne escaped with a 38-35 double-overtime victory thanks to a 27-yard game winning field goal from Garrett Russell.
Wayne built a 14-point halftime led by quarterback Rashad McKee, who had the offense playing efficiently during the first half. The junior was 12 of 18 for 125 yards and three touchdowns, with one interception during the first two stanzas.
Receiver Austin Mullins hauled in two first-half scores, while Ohio State commit L’Christian Smith had the other.
But when the third quarter kicked off, Northmont showed why you shouldn’t close your eyes.
Behind the play of quarterback Miles Johnson, Northmont outscored Wayne 21-7 in the second half. Johnson carried the ball the 11 times and two of his three rushing scores came in the second half. Running back Devin Kenerly rushed for 96 of his 145 total yards in second half.
The almost comeback didn’t surprise McKee.
“(Northmont) has a lot of heart. I played against this team since fifth grade, and they have a lot of heart and don’t quit,” McKee said. “We got complacent as an offense and as a team. Instead of getting complacent, we should’ve put the pedal to the medal.”
When Northmont stopped Wayne just outside of Thunderbolts 20 with less than 30 seconds to play, Northmont looked to have the momentum.
But Wayne woke up. On the Warriors’ first possession of overtime — first and 10 from the Thunderbolts’ 20 — it took McKee just two plays to find the end zone.
Northmont answered back, with Johnson rushing from 8 yards out for his third rushing touchdown of the game.
The Thunderbolts went back out on offense to start the second possession of overtime, but Wayne defensive back Justin Harris finally swatted the sandman out of the Warriors eyes and back into the student section.
Harris picked off Johnson on the 1-yard line, meaning all his team had to do was score on its next possession.
“He’s a big time player who makes big time plays at the right moment,” Wayne coach Jay Minton said.
Russell’s kick improved the Warriors to 4-1.
“Our kids grew up a lot more tonight, and it’s pretty big for us,” Minton said.
Wayne hosts Centerville (5-0) next week, in what will be the Warriors first National East Division game of the season. Northmont plays at Lebanon (2-3).
About the Author