But this year, as it did in 1999 by advancing to the title game, Wayne has brought the Division I state final closer to home.
“I think it makes us all kind of say to ourselves, ‘We can do this,’ ” Woods said. “It’s more realistic.”
For the Greater Western Ohio Conference, it’s doubly realistic. Two league members, Wayne (D-I) and Trotwood-Madison (D-II) will appear in state finals this weekend in Canton and Massillon, giving the conference a shot of enthusiasm and increasing the number of state finalists in its 10-season history from one to three.
Piqua, in 2006, was the only GWOC finalist before this season, and the Indians won the D-II title that year. For other GWOC teams, especially those in the D-I community that lacks an area title, the appearances bring a mix of pride for the Miami Valley and motivation to also reach that level.
“Our kids have been talking about it this week, and we’re preaching that we’re getting close to that point,” said Northmont coach Lance Schneider. “Our kids are thinking now, ‘If Wayne can make it, we can make it.’ ”
It just hasn’t happened often. Few have observed that more closely than Schneider’s father, Mike, who grew up in Miamisburg, coached Miamisburg (1976-80) and Wayne (1981-97) and has been to nearly every state championship game since the 1972 inception of the football postseason.
“Back in the ’80s, there was a pretty big gap between the best teams in Dayton and the best in Cincinnati,” Mike Schneider said. “It’s tough to beat those teams, but the gap is closing.”
The GWOC played its first full season as a conference in 2001. Since, rivalries that already existed in the Western Ohio League and Greater Miami Valley Conference have continued, and some have emerged new.
But, said league Commissioner Eric Spahr, the league mates also can become fans of those advancing.
“You not only get to know the coaches and the administrators, but you get to know the players,” Spahr said. “These are some outstanding players and outstanding kids, so you have to root for them.”
No team was closer to doing what Wayne has done than Centerville, the only other area big school to make the title game, in 1991. This season, the Elks lost a D-I, Region 4 semifinal to the Warriors 36-33 in double overtime Nov. 13, and since, Centerville coach Ron Ullery has watched Wayne’s games against St. Xavier in the regional final and Hilliard Davidson in the state semifinal.
The rivalry, for the time being, has been paused for the area good.
“Maybe I couldn’t have said that 15 or 20 years ago,” Ullery said of cooling the competitive fire for a few weeks. “I have so much respect for (Wayne coach Jay Minton), the job he and his staff do, the players. I know some fans think it’s heated and you hate each other, but if you’re on the same field, it’s very competitive, and you earn so much respect for each other.
“I think if people around this area are not rooting for them, they don’t know that man very well or that program very well. If you know what they’ve done for that program and those kids, you’ll root for them.”
Others are using the appearances as motivation. Springboro coach Ryan Wilhite, a Wayne assistant coach from 2000-05, plans to remind his players throughout the winter weightlifting sessions that they can follow Wayne’s path, even though Springboro has never qualified for the D-I postseason (although the Panthers have made three playoff appearances overall).
“Sometimes the state championship thing can seem pretty far out there, almost mythical,” Wilhite said. “When things like this happen, with two teams from your league, it gives it a little more substance.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7389 or knagel@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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