CJ quarterback celebrates win with surprise visit from father returning home from deployment

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Afterward the Eagles, students and fans celebrated at midfield. CJ coach Marcus Colvin instructed everyone to make way for a special guest. The many triumphant yells, back-slaps and hugs were meaningful and heartfelt as Captain Chris Minor embraced his son, Ryan.

Chris hadn’t seen his Ryan since being deployed at Turkey with the U.S. Air Force in December 2017. Although they regularly communicate, Ryan didn’t know his father would be at the game. That long separation also meant Chris wasn’t there when Ryan transferred.

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“It’s special for him to come to a program that’s very disciplined,” said Chris, who excelled in football at Abernathy (Texas) High School. “The camaraderie and community is outstanding.”

Ryan was overcome with emotion and grateful for the family reconnection.

“It is so good to have him home and to win and have him watch a great game,” Ryan said. “I’m so excited. We talk a lot, but it’s not the same as in person. Him being here on probably my best game, I’m just excited to know that he was here.”

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Minor has just two more games to play and then must sit out the remainder of CJ’s regular season and all the postseason should the Eagles advance. That’s due to a new Ohio High School Athletic Association transfer rule. In three games he’s completed 45 of 60 passes for 754 yards, 12 touchdowns and just two interceptions.

“It’s a very special moment for a family that trusted the heck out of us,” Colvin said. “We found out a few days ago dad was going to be here and we had to hold it under the wraps and keep (Ryan) focused. When he plays well, we play well. I’m very humbled and honored right now.”

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• What do Northmont, Springfield and Miamisburg (D-I), Troy (D-II), CJ, Carroll and Bellbrook (D-III), Northwestern (D-IV), Madison, Miami East and Greeneview (D-V), Coldwater, Bethel, Mechanicsburg, Troy Christian, St. Henry and Marion Local (D-VI) and Minster and Triad (D-VII) have in common?

All are unbeaten and positioned at the top of their respective regions. The first computer rankings will be released by the OHSAA after Week 4 games. The top eight teams in each division qualify for the playoffs and the top four seeds earn first-round home games.

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• Springfield (3-0) earned an impressive 16-10 win at Hudson (0-3) on Friday night. Jeff Tolliver had touchdown runs of 60 and four yards for the Wildcats and Braeden Carey was good on a 23-yard field goal. Springfield quarterback Raheim Moss completed 12 passes for 177 yards and also rushed for 69 yards.

Springfield is one of only four remaining unbeaten GWOC teams, joining Troy, Northmont and Miamisburg. Hudson, anchored in Summit County, was a D-II state semifinalist in 2014-16.

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• Northmont’s Michael Franklin had four touchdowns, including an 82-yard romp, in a 35-14 win at Tippecanoe. Franklin had 280 yards rushing.

• Xenia (2-1) senior Sincere Wells had three TDs and 252 yards rushing in a 35-26 defeat of visiting Franklin (0-3). Wells leads the GWOC in rushing with 675 yards and has eight touchdowns.

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• Troy (3-0) senior Jaydon Culp-Bishop had 238 yards rushing and two TDs and returned a kickoff 75 yards for another score in a 29-7 defeat of visiting Cincinnati Turpin. Culp-Bishop is third in GWOC rushing with 494 yards.

• The Associated Press state football polls will make their debut on Monday. Voting is limited to media members who subscribe to AP.

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• There are two Week 4 games on Thursday. Top-ranked (D-I) Northmont (3-0) is at Butler (2-1) in a GWOC crossover game that doesn’t count in divisional standings. Also, Dunbar (0-3) will play Ponitz (0-3) in the Dayton City League opener for both teams at Welcome Stadium.

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