After lackluster defensive performances in a 10-point loss at Pickerington Central two weeks ago and a 36-point loss at top-ranked Lakewood St. Edward last week, Wayne stopped Springboro several times and pulled away in the third quarter to a 48-23 win in a Greater Western Ohio Conference game.
Heisle returned an interception 45 yards for midway through the third, the second of three touchdowns Wayne scored to start the quarter.
Credit: Bryant Billing
Credit: Bryant Billing
The Warriors (2-2, 1-0 GWOC) intercepted three passes and recovered one fumble. They also forced Springboro (2-2, 0-1) to turn it over on downs twice.
“We had a great week of practice,” Heisle said. “We were working and critiquing all week, and all that work showed on the field tonight.”
Wayne coach Roosevelt Mukes Jr. said he was happy with the team refocusing after giving up over 500 yards in a 63-27 loss to St. Edward last week. That squad was ranked No. 1 in Division I in the first state Associated Press polls of the season, and Pickerington Central received votes in D-I but didn’t crack the top 10.
“I think it’s a credit to our players and coaches for being able to embrace what happened last week and growing from it, just trying to continue to get better,” Mukes said. “That’s the thing we talked about all week, trying to get better. Our nonconference schedule prepares us for stuff like that. …We’re just trusting the process and continuing to work.”
The Warriors’ offense racked up 604 yards on Friday thanks to several big plays.
Sophomore quarterback Kye Graham threw for 318 yards and four TDs without an interception, senior running back Isaiah Thompson ran for 164 yards and one TD and senior receiver Semarion Sroufe had 151 receiving yards with two TDs.
Junior receiver Jamier Averette-Brown, an Ohio State recruit, had 118 receiving yards and one TD and a 72-yard rushing TD. He finished with 260 all-purpose yards.
Credit: Bryant Billing
Credit: Bryant Billing
“I would 100 percent give credit to their playmakers,” Springboro coach Ryan Wilhite said. “Those guys showed up tonight ready to play, and they were able to show you what they’re capable of. That’s maybe one of the fastest teams, especially on offense, as I’ve seen them have in a long time.
“… I felt like we did some good things tonight, and every time we started to climb back in, something else would go wrong again. Some of that’s a credit to (Wayne), but sometimes I just don’t think we have enough consistency in any phase of our game.”
The Panthers stayed close early, but a touchdown late in the second quarter helped Wayne start to pull away.
Springboro junior receiver Noah Billinski hauled in a wide-open 43-yard touchdown pass along the visitor’s sideline with 4:59 left in the second to pull the team within 21-14, but the Warriors responded quickly on the next drive.
Sroufe caught a long pass up the home sideline from Graham and scored on an 82-yard TD reception with 3:42 left. Graham couldn’t connect with a receiver on a two-point conversion try, but the Warriors took a 27-14 lead.
Henry Greenberg made a 31-yard field goal for Springboro with 10 seconds left to cut the gap to 27-17 at halftime.
The Warriors got the ball to start the second half and quickly drove and scored on a 34-yard TD pass from Graham to James Dyer IV to push the lead to 34-17.
Heisle returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown with 6:18 left in the third to push the lead to 41-17, and after a quick three-and-out by Springboro, Brown raced up the home sideline on a 72-yard TD run to push the lead to 48-17.
Credit: Bryant Billing
Credit: Bryant Billing
Graham had over 300 passing yards for the second straight week. Wilhite said he was impressed with Graham’s grittiness on Friday, and Mukes said he’s pleased with the progress he’s making.
“He’s going to be a good one,” Mukes said. “He’s just got to continue to stack days, get better and trust the process. But you know, I’m glad he’s on our side.”
It was military appreciation night at Heidkamp Stadium, and the players celebrated around a golden boot trophy before singing the school’s fight song in front of the band in the east end zone after the game.
The Warriors will try to earn their first road win of the season in Week 5 when they travel to Fairmont (1-3, 1-0), which after three nail-biting nonconference losses beat Centerville 20-17 on a late field goal to open GWOC play on Friday.
“We’ve got to come out, stop their run early and just have a great game all around,” Heisle said.
The Panthers (2-2, 0-1 GWOC) are scheduled to travel to Northmont in Week 5.
Credit: Bryant Billing
Credit: Bryant Billing
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